My Fire Hydrant

March is over and it was very busy. Tyler and I want to sincerely thank everybody who participated and contributed to our 4th Annual Online Bichon Bash for Small Paws Rescue. Online and offline, we raised a total of……(drum roll please)….

$790.00!!

Some of you may remember that my sweet boy, Tyler, was found wandering the streets of Phoenix. Kaydee Lynne’s story, from RoseMarie, is very similar to Tyler’s.

I would like to relate my latest little rescue girls Small Paws Rescue story!! Small Paws does so many wonderful things to save all these great little dogs and I welcomed one of them into my life, last October 25th.

The day she arrived, she really needed grooming!

There was a tiny little lost, 3 month old puppy wandering the streets of busy Las Vegas, Nevada all alone, with no one to care for her and love her. No one knows how she got lost, but then someone found her and took her to a not so nice shelter, where she felt like she was put in “jail”. She had an injured eye and some nasty stuff in her ears, that made them all itchy and NO one came looking for her. The shelter couldn’t put her up for adoption because she had an eye problem and nasty ears, so they contacted some wonderful people, called SMALL PAWS. Someone came and met “Tanya”, as she was called and agreed that she was a sweet little girl and needed their help. Then poor little Tanya had to go into the hospital to have her eye fixed and her ears all cleaned out, but something else happened while she was there–she fell asleep and woke up with pains in her tummy and threads holding it together and they told her she had been spayed!!!

Tanya, soon-to-be Kaydee Lynne

Poor little Tanya didn’t think any human would ever love her and she spent more time in that hospital getting all better. Then someone from that Small Paws place came and took her to a real home and changed her name to “Simone.” She was starting to like humans better and was finally living with some nice humans and even some other nice doggies, but she kept hearing them say, that she wasn’t going to stay there and she was worried about having to leave and live by herself again.

Then all of a sudden, one day, another Small Paws lady took and put her in a plastic cage with a blankie and her favorite toy and told Simone that she was going to a far away place to find her forever home!! It was a scary experience, because at only 6 months of age, little Simone was flying across the country from Nevada to Massachusetts all by herself. And, her second plane had a BIG problem. The humans were all scared, cuz the plane was broken and it couldn’t land, so it circled for a long time and then finally they got it down and they put Simone and everybody else on a 3rd plane. Simone was scared and had been locked in that little plastic cage for almost 12 hours, when suddenly this nice lady and man went to her, took her out of that cage, hugged her and said: Welcome to your new forever home!!!

LilyRosebud, Abby Rose, Kristy KremePuff, Miss Mollyanne & Kaydee Lynne

That was October 25, 2012 and Simone came home to meet her 4 Bichon sisters. At first she was a little afraid, but then she found out they all liked her a lot and she really was in her forever home.

Good Golly Ms. Mollie! whozzat?

Her New Mom said she needed a new name and now her name is Kaydee Lynne. She has lots and lots of toys all her own, and bones to chew on and she gets to sleep with all of her sisters and her Mom and Dad on a great big BED.

Share? hmmmmm....not so much.

Kaydee Lynne feels like a Princess living a life she never thought she would live and being loved and spoiled and her new Mom sings her a song that says: I once was lost, but now am found!!! Her eye is all better and she runs, plays, jumps and is a very happy little girl thanks to some very special people called Small Paws.

Kaydee Lynne

 

Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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From Jill, who styles herself “A Jersey Girl.”

We rescued our Bichon, Chaz, 1 1/2 years ago. He was found running around Philadelphia fully matted and somewhat bloody. A Philadelphia shelter picked him up and only keep strays 48 hours before they release them to the public. A small dog rescue group from NJ took 4 dogs from there that week. We were fortunate to be the first ones to see him at a Pet Smart. I sat on the floor with him, he jumped on my lap, turned over, and looked up at me with his dark eyes and black button nose. That was all it took. I didn’t know before that, that we were “Bichon people”. So sweet, soft and cuddly. My husband is in love with him as well.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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Last March, I posted a story about Max and Frankie–Frankie was a puppy mill dog. Small Paws always places puppy mill dogs in homes where there’s already a socialized dog in residence to help the puppy mill dog adjust to life as a pet. Here’s an update, from pet parents Carol Ann and Jim on these two Fluffs and their family.

Glad to share good news!!!! As I read about child adoptions from other countries, I see the exact same timeframe and issues regarding trust. We have had Frankie three years, and what a change. Of course, very slow changes! He now allows Jim to pick him up, he will crawl onto Jim’s lap, and he even gives Jim kisses.

Still does not like several strangers approaching him at the same time. He will walk up to one person at a time and allow them to put their hand out for him to sniff. It has to be his way – he still will not allow anyone (except me) to put their hand on his head. He must be approached from under his chin. He is the happiest little boy that I have ever seen – nothing takes away his happiness. Whatever we do, he enjoys it!!! I pray that all puppy mill fluffs are as happy in their new home as he is in his.

Now to Max. Max is my little old man!! He would much rather have the attention of people instead of fluffs!! He plays with Frankie when it suits him, and he does not like for Frankie to get close to me or Jim. He is so jealous! He is definitely the alpha boy, but Frankie could care less – anything suits Frankie.

We are now in Florida in our RV, and we take our two boys to ride in a carriage behind our bikes (made for children, but wonderful for Frankie and Max). They wear harnesses and are safely secured, but have all the fresh air around them. We took the top off so that they could see all the deer and squirrels!!! They both still travel very well, and enjoy sitting outside in their own chairs. Everyone tells us that they are so well behaved!!! We continue to tell everyone about Small Paws, and we give away their cards, hoping that another fluff will be able to find a furever home.

While we are in the campground, Frankie looks for other fluffs to play with, but Max could care less – he sniffs their nose and then takes off!!! He likes to do his business, then sit on Jim’s lap! Frankie could play all day with other fluffs!

We love our boys and receive so much pleasure from them – hope that many more fluffs will be able to find the best homes ever!!

 

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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Lea Ann discovered Chucky through a chanced conversation at a gas station.

Chucky

Our little Chucky came into our lives almost 3 years ago. Here is Chucky’s story – We had been out running errands and stopped by the gas station before heading home. While my husband was inside there was a home healthcare nurse that had a puppy – my husband is a talker and loves dogs – he struck up a conversation with her and she told him about a client of hers that had passed away recently and the husband had not wanted to keep her dog & had given him to her. But… she has several cats and a Shar-pei. Her dog did not like Chucky. She would nip at him and was getting more and more aggressive towards him. This was the story that we were told. My husband told her to come out to our car and talk to me. We had lost one of our precious fur babies that past January – Kaci, a Siberian Husky mix – to renal failure. Anyway, she came out to the car and told me the same story.

Chucky, with a smile on his face!

My husband said why don’t we get him for mom, for her birthday. I told her that we’d take him and she brought him over the following morning. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. He is such a sweetheart! She then told me that they had him on a joint supplement due to he had bad knees on his hind legs. He got along really well with our Sami – toy/miniature parti-poodle. He was in pretty bad shape though – he was infested with fleas and I found out that he had not had a rabie shot for over 2 years. I got him in to our vet and got him updated with all shots, exam and such. He also had several warts. But other than that he was healthy! He has been a wonderful addition to our family and even though he’s a senior (at 10 years old), he keeps up with our 5 year old Sami. He has a very loving forever home!

Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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Eileen, in Graham North Carolina, has a lovely story of how one little Small Paws Fluff changed her from a Big Dog Mama to a Small Dog Mom!

Well, well…It’s a difficult mental journey to find the plot after adopting ‘Trace’ from Sulfur, Louisiana and the awesome experience with Last Chance Transport Company to get him to NC (via Virginia)!

You see, I’m a Labrador person, or slave. A black and a brown lab dominate our lives and schedules — they are Genius and Bean, with REAL interesting naming stories…but then came Trace, who feigned the helpless, shy recently neutered 5 year old 18 months ago.

Here's our boy, watching Animal Planet ...as he does every day with us... This was at our daughters home with our two grandsons' toys about.

So after day one with us, he began to teach the two full size male labs who was ‘boss’! He walked (and continues several times a day) to our alpha black lab, Genius and began to give him a facial, a dental exam and cleaning, and an otic cleaning! Genius LOVES it, and Trace moves into a TRANCE in doing so. Hilarious. Friends and family can NOT believe this behavior. It’s like he’s a nursing female cleaning his ‘pups’! Too strange, but darling nonetheless.

He is first to go for a ‘ride’ in the ‘truck’ or ‘car’… has a vocabulary recognition just a bit more extensive than my nephew, haha… Eats the dry dogfood that my big boys eat. Plays tug or war with them AND WINS everytime. Bosses the other dogs at the dog park endlessly and has to be restrained…really! Can’t put him in with the little dogs, because he feels he doesn’t ‘fit’…. and carries on until he’s with his big boys across the path in their playground. Ew, boy.

Excuse the language, but it’s literal… when I take the big guys to the barnyard to attend to the mini donkeys twice daily, the little guy remains in the house in cold weather but gets ‘pissed off’ against the base of my main bath toilet! Never has accidents unless I leave him alone. He has become a first class traveler and goes everyplace on day trips with my husband and I, and on errands, and to dr. appointments, walks, etc. A wonderful traveler, really!!

Trace Small Paws

The first week we had Trace, we let all the boys out into the backyard for their morning constitutional, and doesn’t Trace grab a morning dove right out of the air!!! Winged it, shook it’s head and flew off. He just wanted to show off his prowess apparently.

I am searching for another Coton now .. in the similar age group with no issues, and perhaps a female this time to keep him more humble He’s the cutest thing on legs! Thanks to Small Paws Rescue for enriching our lives with this entertaining fluffball with attitude!

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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I asked the members of Small Paws to send me their Fluff stories. Well, this story comes from one of the Fluffs! She tells the story of how she and her three fluffy siblings found their places as a family in a furever home

Hi! I’m Miss Sophie, Diva Queen.

I’m the youngest of four – I’m 2 1/2 years old – Sparky – he’s 6 months older than me; Miss BeBe, the Diva Princess – she’s about 7 or 8, and Himself, Sir Waddles – he’s the oldest – he’s about 14. We heard you wanted stories – boy, do we have a story! I’ve got the smallest paws and type the best so I usually do the typing. Mom says that I’m the glue that holds all of us together. She calls me the Mother Fluff.

It all started when Mom & Dad let a woman named Cindy stay with them. She had a bichon named PePe. She stayed with them a long time. They grew to love PePe. They took care of PePe. Then she moved out. They were sad, very sad and lonely. They missed PePe.

Then Mom’s car windows didn’t work. A man came to fix them. He had a bichon on his truck. Dad and the man talked and Dad found out about Small Paws Rescue and a picnic.

They went to the picnic. They thought maybe that they would bring a bichon home with them. When they got to the picnic, they talked about PePe and how much they missed him and the fun they had with him. They were told it was best if they had a pair of bichons so that the one wouldn’t get lonely. There was a woman named Susan there. They talked with her. She’s now our Aunt Susan. Susan introduced them to a woman named Robin. They talked with her. That was on a Sunday. The next day they started to get phone calls about bonded pairs. They decided to fill out the paperwork. With every phone call, it just didn’t seem right about the dogs. They got discouraged. Then Aunt Susan called them about Sparky.

They went far away to get Sparky. He was tormented by 3 small children and 3 cats. He didn’t have a back yard to run in. He loves our backyard. He loved not being tormented. They were happy about Sparky, but Sparky got tired playing by himself. He watched Mom and learned about the computer, typing and email. He wrote to Aunt Susan and told her he was lonely.

One day, I was put in a small crate and took to a noisy place away from everyone else. Mom got a call from Aunt Susan on a Friday afternoon telling her that I was going to be a room temperature if someone didn’t come and get me the next day. So, Mom, Dad and Sparky came and got me. I was So happy! That crate was too small for me. Mom & Dad took us over to a person’s house and we roamed the backyard. At first, we didn’t stay together. By the time we left, we were walking shoulder to shoulder. We were told it only took us 3 hours to bond. Miss Summer, one of Aunt Susan’s fluffs, told me about being a Diva – she’s the top Diva, Diva Supreme. I do rule the roost!

I like to play with plastic balls and ropes. I’m Sparky’s best toy and playmate. One day Sparky did something very bad. I wouldn’t look at him or play with him for a whole day. He doesn’t do that anymore. He was really upset that I was mad at him. I hunt lizards with him. We run and tussle all the time. He might be bigger than me, but I can keep up with him and I’m as strong as he is!

Then, one day we got in the car and rode a long time. When we got out, we heard a lot of dogs bark. We tried playing with another fluff, but she didn’t want to play with us. So, we were introduced to Miss BeBe. She was really scared, but she let us near her. We were told that she had been a birthing mother in another county and then left to roam when she wasn’t useful anymore. She is the one who has changed the most. She has her own boudoir. It is under Mom & Dad’s bed, up at the top. For the longest time she hid under there. She had to learn that she didn’t have look for food as we get fed twice everyday and we have clean water to drink. She had to even learn about treats! She would only go to Mom. She was afraid of Dad. He is big. Now, she lets us go under the bottom of the bed and stay. That is her lounge area. We still can’t go in her boudoir. She dances, smiles all the time, runs outside and really like the wind to blow in her face. She’s a chow hound like Sparky. He will eat just about anything. She even jumps in Dad’s lap and on top of the bed. She like to tunnel in the sheets.

When we met Miss BeBe, Dad and Mom met Shorty. We couldn’t get near him ’cause he had a cough. He had to stay at that place. He wrapped his arm’s around Dad’s arm and Dad fell in love with him. Miss BeBe came home with us. We went back for Shorty. Dad changed his name ’cause when he poops he waddles all over the back yard. We’re named like Aunt Susan’s fluffs. When we met her, she had 5. Now she has 6. So, Waddles became Sir Waddles. He’s funny. He has his own royal bed in the royal chambers – Mom’s closet. He is a Himself, so that is how he became Himself, Sir Waddles. He also has taken over Sparky’s bed. It is the biggest bed. Mom & Dad think he is a Pekingese kissed by a bichon. His tongue hangs out all the time.

As you see, we even have our own email account, cause when Mom’s not using the computer, we email our fluff friends.

We hope you tell everyone about us FitzPlant fluffs. We are happy.

Tail wags to all!

Sophie, Diva Queen

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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I’ve also lived this story, related by Small Paws member, Barb. I lost my Bailey to cancer. But a few months later, Tyler Small Paws trotted into my life to heal my heart. Just as Conner has healed the hearts of his furever family.

Little Beau

Our beloved baby, Beau joined our family in the fall of 1999, 2 years old. His owner didn’t want him any more, and my husband worked at the apartment complex where Beau lived, and he used to play with Beau when ever he was outside. So when he heard that she was getting rid of Beau, he asked if he could have him.

When Beau first came to us, he wasn’t the most happy dog. but as time went on, he realized how much he was loved and wanted, he turned out to be one of the best. My heart broke when we had to put him down due to cancer, on Feb 11, 2011. I held him close until it was over.I know in my heart he is waiting at Rainbow Bridge for us.

Conner, and his Small Paws blanket

We adopted a new baby from Small Paws in March of 2011, the best thing I ever did. We now have Conner whom we have also grown to love dearly. Conner is the sweetest baby, and boy does he respond to love. I tell all my friends and family about Small Paws. We are so lucky that Small Paws was there.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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From Susan in Houston.

Where do I begin to tell you a story about love…anyone of us with a Bichon or other beloved breed/mixed, rescue could sing the words from our hearts.

My cousin, Ilene, had a Bichon, Chelsee, many many years ago. I said that is what I want, a dog that is small and mighty. That is how I learned about the breed.

Long story longer, our Bichon, Maui, we got through the newspaper in 1993, from a private party–we thought. We were aware of pet stores and did not know that puppy mill pups were being sold other ways.

My husband said call and ask about the pups. I did, they had two males left. My husband took the phone, got directions and told me it wasn’t far. We drove for an hour and a half to a home in La Port, Texas. She went to get the two boys and I noticed a group of puppy Daschunds. I naively asked about them.
She wasn’t as sweet and said we came to see the Bichons. They were six weeks old and we chose our Maui. We got the AKC paperwork filled out. Weeks later we got the paperwork that our boy came from Oklahoma! Shocked, stunned. Didn’t matter, he was our boy.

We had Maui for a few years, when I was learning the internet and found Small Paws Rescue. As they say, the rest is history. That is really where I learned about puppy mills. I started reading about them on Small Paws’s web site and learned a lot. Small Paws Rescue has been my teacher, support group and is full of wonderful people I have become friends with online.

Maui had cataract surgery in 2002, which gave him back his sight. His natural instincts has gone south so seeing really helped him get his groove back. He passed and took part of our hearts, on July 19, 2008, at the age of 15 1/2.

Keiki

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” –Author Unknown.

Lilikoi

As I write this, a little mixed breed Shih Tzu/Maltese(?) is sitting on my lap, Keiki, that I found running on lawns next to a very busy street heading towards a freeway on January 5, this year. No collar, no microchip. We are in Southern California right now. She did great for her first plane trip–carry on, of course! Our Bichon, Lilikoi was also a rescue. Lilikoi is 5 yrs. old and is “adjusting”  to another dog that follows her like a baby sister. We travel a lot, so my husband, said “NO” to another dog. Carrying 2 on a plane is not easy! You should see them both vie for his love! Very cute! My husband is from Hawaii, hence the Hawaiian names.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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This is the second of two posts I’m making this month (the first one was on March 16) to remember Fluffs and pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge ahead of us, their pet parents. Having experienced the loss of a very beloved dog, I know how terribly we grieve. The good part is in knowing that we all have done the very best for our little furbabies that we possibly can to provide them with a good life. And we do not grieve alone. So, maybe first you should grab a tissue, and then settle in for a good read that confirms what we all feel as pet parents.

Peace to all who have lost a pet and are grieving.

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From Pauline, “I first met little Maxwell at the Collin County Animal Shelter on August 23rd 2010, where he had been picked up as a stray. He was judged to be about 5 years old. Matted and flea infested as he was, I fell in love with him from the start. This was the first pup Small Paws Rescue had asked me to pick up from a shelter and then they told me I could name…for some reason I had already started calling him Maxwell so what the heck…he became little Maxwell. He had been vetted for 2 weeks and when I went to pick him up, I was informed he was heartworm positive. He went through his treatment like the little Champ he was…his little tail never stopped wagging…I was struggling with making the decision to adopt him myself since at this point I already had 2 pups from Small Paws Rescue…but a few days later I discovered a lump in his neck and after several consultations, he was diagnosed on January 7, 2011 with canine lymphoma…adoption was out of the question but I would keep him forever as my Foster pup.

I prayed that he would be the exception to the rule and beat this unfair disease…and I really thought we did it until it came back with a vengeance one night and I was there to hug him to my heart as he crossed the Rainbow Bridge the following morning, May 12, 2011.

I miss him everyday and am so thankful that I had him for the short time that I did.”

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From Camelia, “Our beloved dog was a sweet Bichon named Lili. She was born sometime in August 1995, we adopted her in 1997. She crossed over last year, 2011, May 6th. She was the sweetest, bravest spirit I have ever met. She’s inspired me to help other dogs and animals in need. She loved the sun.”

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From Nora, “This is in honor of our sweet Johnny Small Paws. We only lasted as foster parents for one week before we adopted he and his brother Rusty. They were four and six when they came to us and filled our lives with happiness. To our sorrow 2 and a half years ago, Johnny started having seizures which took awhile to diagnose as brain cancer. Their bio said Rusty was the lover and Johnny the smart one. He was a character and I loved him and my husband babied him constantly even when he got bigger and bigger due to his meds. There is a hole in my heart that will never heal. Due to our ages and that we still are working it wouldn’t be smart to get another baby, and we don’t know how Rusty would take it.  Johnny left us on July 23rd of last year.”

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Fuzzybear crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 11, 2011. His mom, Suzie says, “Your passing has left a big hole in our hearts…”

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From Nan, “Bijoux crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 8th 2011.”

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Julie says, “We had the beautiful baby Daisy for 11 wonderful years and I cried for 5 months after her passing screaming I would NEVER EVER get another dog as long as I lived because I couldn’t handle the emotions of such a deep loss. Well, thank you to our cherished baby Daisy that 9 months after her passing we adopted Charlie from Small Paws Rescue. If it weren’t for Daisy, we never would have known the deep love and joy of a Bichon Frise. We believe that Daisy brought us our Charlie, who just celebrated 6 months with us last month!”

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From Ira, “We got Gizmo when his original ‘servant’ could no longer take care of him. We had him for five wonderful years. “Gizmo” Oliver Johnson (approx.) 10/22/00 – 12/13/11.”

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Cheryl says, “I had 2 Small Paws Rescue dogs that started out as foster dogs, but ended up being adopted by me until they passed away.”

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From Lana, “I adopted a bonded pair, Maxx & Cherie, in August 2007. Cherie was 10 and Maxx 7. She was such a sweet little tiny girl — only 10 pounds — and she passed over the Rainbow Bridge on February 13, 2012 due to kidney disease and heart murmur problems. She was with me 4 1/2 wonderful years…..I have been a member of Small Paws for 5 years, and if I decide to get a companion for Maxx, it will be a rescue—I love Bichons.”

 

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From Chrissie, “Please post this and pray that he is not missing us as much as we are missing him. So many people loved Mishu. I could not take him on one walk without someone stopping us to be with him.”

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Vicki says, “Casper was a rescue from another organization but because of him, I learned about Bichons and Small Paws. I have adopted 2 girls from Small Paws who loved and miss their big brother.”

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It has been a hard year for Brenda and Rick in Rhode Island.

Baxter (Bichon) 10/18/98 – 04/05/11
Brutus (Lab/Shep Mix) 10/01/94 – 06/17/11
Murphy (Bichon) 03/31/98 – 09/04/11
Bingo (Cat) 10/01/94 – 01/04/12
Shadow (Cat) 10/01/93 – 03/02/12

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From Kathy, “Here is my precious baby we lost to pancreatic cancer in November. He was a Small Paws Rescue from an Ohio puppy mill auction and was named Waggie by Small Paws and it so fit him. He was only a baby when they put him up for auction. His birth date was July 6th, 2005 and we lost him after 3 days in ICU on November 3rd 2011. Just six years old. My heart is still broken from the loss. He loved a big, yellow fuzzy ball that he would carry everywhere and he would even fall asleep with it in his mouth with his chin resting on it. Such a precious baby. Our vet, Doc Tony, said he probably became so attached to that ball due to being taken from his mother way too early. He is so very missed by mommie and his sisters, Stevie and Lily and his brothers, Lindsey, Mick, Bailey, Prince and Rusty. I am so blessed to be a senior adoption counselor for Small Paws Rescue and have helped to place to many of our beautiful babies.”

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Gayle says, “My horse, Khemozeddi (his nickname was ” Pepper”) had to be put him down due to a very bad colic on January 14th. He was 12 years old, and was my endurance riding horse. He is truly missed. The second picture is of our Bichon, Stacy, who we had to help cross over in December . He was our first (failed fostereing 101) Small Paws Bichon. He was 13 years old, and his little body just gave out. He was a friend to everybody, and he loved to steal my horse’s carrots and munch on them.”

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Baylor crossed the Rainbow Bridge on March 13, 2012 and his mom is grieving beyond words.

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Remembering little Maui, February 16, 1993 ~ July 19, 2008, whose papers said he was born in Texas, but who actually came from Oklahoma. He loved his family for nearly 15-and-a-half years.

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“My Bichon, Chamois, was born June 6, 1996. He passed away suddenly on Dec. 10, 2011. Miss him so much……..”

 

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Chumpie, April 22, 1996 ~ May 21,2010

From Michelle, “I would like to dedicate this piece to my beloved Chumpie (I got him with this name so he became my ChumperDoo) for the many years of love, hope, and happiness he gave me. I got him from a friend at work when he was 7. At first I was reluctant to take him because I hadn’t had a dog since I was little so I didn’t know what to expect. This dog was my life and he helped me through a horrible 5 year divorce, and every year we would do something special for my daughter that passed away; her birthday is March 14th. He was always in my lap and even when we brought Cracker home as a puppy I made sure he always had a spot. As he got older, about 12, he started to loose many teeth except for two bottom ones. He still could eat, but he looked like a little vampire. He didn’t play much, but he would carry this red spikey squeeky ball around. I will never forget his little trot when he walked. He would every so often do this little hop with one leg while we were on walks. Yes, we walked everyday even at his old age of 14 (I called him my little old man) he was as healthy as could be. I know he had a few more years in him, but unfortunately a German Shepard attack left him in the surgical unit at the vet hospital. He survived surgery, however, within hours he crossed rainbow bridge while staring into my eyes after I told him it was okay to go. Long live his memory.”

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Bitzer crossed the Rainbow Bridge a week shy of his 11th birthday. His mom, Shirley, and his brother Kibbles Small Paws, miss him very much.

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This comes from Melissa, “My mother, Dixie, had been campaigning for a dog for years when my father passed away suddenly. Having allergies, we all prayed that she would find “the right bichon at the right time”. And then she saw the ad.

All that a backyard breeder had left was the sire, a three year old Bichon Frise named Miller Mister Buff. My brother drove my mother to the breeder, and it was love at first sight on both sides. Mister Buff became Buffy, and rode happily on his new mama’s lap to his new home. They walked into the family office, and Buffy ran right up to the one who was most against Dixie getting a dog (me!), put two small paws on my leg, and looked deep into my eyes, as if to say, “Please love me!” That bichon shaped hole in my heart was suddenly filled by this adorable fluffball!

Dixie died suddenly, and Buffy moved back to my house with me. He still got his lullaby & chicken, along with his own bed, stuffed with clothes from my mama’s laundry basket so he could smell her. We still traveled, and everywhere, people were shocked at how well behaved and loving Buffy was. Around the same time, I noticed that something was just different about Buffy. At first, I thought he was mourning, since I was, too. A visit to doggie day care left him with kennel cough, and Buffy couldn’t seem to shake it for months. We started the rounds to several vets. On March 4th, Buffy went through a battery of tests, and I was told that, while they still wanted the specialists to read them, they did not look good. Four days later, I was told that Buffy had liver cancer, which had metastasized into his lungs and lymph glands – the prognosis was two weeks, IF he underwent chemotherapy.

I loved Buffy more than most people I’ve met. He was such a happy little guy, maybe a little conceited, maybe a little on the velcro-dog side, but so sweet spirited. I couldn’t put him through the chemo, two weeks of pain just so I could get used to the idea of being alone. I made the dreaded appointment for my day off, and kept him so close to me 24/7. Buffy snuggled deep into my arms like a puppy, and now gave kisses freely.

Buffy went to the vet in his stroller, gasping for breath. As we waited in the back room, I sang all of Buffy’s songs to him, told him his stories, that he was going to see Mama and Jesus, petting him and stroking him – he didn’t like to have his tummy touched now. As I was doing this, Buffy put his little paw on top of my hand and smiled, and we looked at each other with complete love. Suddenly, I realized that his pupils had fixed and his jaw had dropped. The Lord took Buffy at His own time, before Buffy had to endure a shot. I had a vision of Buffy galloping like a puppy, right into my mama’s arms, as my daddy said, “Who the heck is that?”

Buffy is in a special pillow now, and we just commemorated Buffy’s first anniversary at the Bridge. My fiancé & I finally got married in December, and we hope to become pawrents to “the right bichon at the right time”. Hey, it worked before! Maybe Buffy will give the new little one some pointers about wrapping us around his or her paw!”

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From Donna, “My Bichon Frise Nellie was born on August 14, 1994 and passed away on July 2, 2011. We miss her beyond belief. Thanks for including my Nellie-Belle. I am soooooo sad but I know my mom and dad welcomed her to heaven with open arms and said ‘here Nellie, here Nellie’..she is playing in golden fields.”

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From Sandra, “Our dear little BJ was born on April 25, 1992 and passed to the Rainbow Bridge on September 8, 2010.” This little Fluff is missed.

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From another Small Paws member, “Please remember my Snowella la Boo Integlia (November 3 1991 ~ March 18, 2011). My Bichon baby of 19.5 years of love and dedication. Also would like to include my Boogie. I rescued him in NY. He was 18 when he passed away. I had him from 1989 to 2000. He was a wonderful little poodle. From me and little sister Poot-Poot.“

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From Martha, “Munky (pitbull), my granddog, went over the Rainbow Bridge on January 2, 2012. He was born in 2003. Munky had surgery for cancer a few years ago, but the vet was not able to completely get all the cancer cells because of the location of the mass. The cancer returned in full force shortly before Christmas, 2011. Munky was the cousin of Small Paws Rescue Dog, Mookie. Mookie and Munky spent this past Christmas season together. They enjoyed each other’s company very much. Munky’s owner was my son, Matthew.”

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From Ginger, “We lost our Penny on March 20, 2011. She was born on July 20, 1994.”

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From Kaye in Oregon, her little Gizmo was rescued from a local animal shelter in 1985, and they estimated she was born in 1983. She passed away in 2000.“We’ve been volunteers with SmallPaws since 2006. “Gizzy” passed away in my arms at 17 due to a brain tumor in 2000 and she took a part of my heart with her. Gizzy was sick, but stable, and I’d traveled to Boston for a scheduled visit with my daughter. The day before I came home my husband, Todd, called to warn me Gizzy was not doing well and it seemed the end may be near. When I walked in the door from the airport she looked up at me but did not get up. I scooped her up into my arms to hold her, and after a few minutes she had a little seizure. We hated it, but felt it must be time to help her cross the bridge. We left immediately to take her to the the only vet hospital open at midnight, 30 minutes away. All the way in, I held her close to my heart and she licked my neck with her kisses. Just as we pulled into the parking lot, her kisses stopped and Gizzy was still. My husband and I sat with her and cried before taking her into the vet for cremation. She was so weak and we felt she had hung on with everything she had to give until I returned from Boston, and then she let go so we did not have to do more~ She was definitely my soul mate furbaby and I know she waits for us in a place where she is healthy again.

I was about to retire in 2006 when I accidentally found the Small Paws website. Because of the joy and love we shared with Gizzy, I understood Robin’s mission and immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the wonderful work she had started. The first summer I was retired we took in our first foster, Jasmin and now in addition to our rescued Border Collie, we also have three rescued Bichons, ages 7, 6 and 17 Belle who is deaf and mostly blind!”

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Gabby at age 15, in her furever home since March 23, 2005, crossed the Rainbow Bridge last week on March 15. Much loved by her mom, Jeanne, and her best buddy Izzie.

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From Vicki, “This tribute is not only in memory to Mayo, but is also to honor Mayo’s wonderful foster Mom, Martha L., and his dedicated groomer, Jean K. Had it not been for the two of them flushing Mayo’s ear out every other day and medicating it, he would have never lived another 2 1/2 years.

We got Mayo at the end of July 2009. He was estimated to be 10-12 years old, but it was hard to tell since he didn’t have any teeth left and he was 60% blind. He was picked up as a stray wearing an E collar. He had an ear ablation done at one time, but it was severely infected. After 6 months and numerous trips to several vets and specialists it was concluded that flushing his ears every day would be a life time commitment and the only thing to keep him alive. If one time was missed of flushing his ears, he would have horrible drainage. In spite of his Sr health issues, Mayo was a cuddler and snuggler. He loved all dogs and cats. He was 10-pounds of pure sweetness.

 

Mayo had a stroke in February 2012. His little body finally gave out, but not without a fight. He was peacefully sent on to his next destination on February 23, 2012. He no longer suffers from a chronic ear infection or blindness.”

 

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Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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