In Memory Of…
Nya
As it was in the beginning, it will be in the end. Fly high Nya, with your mommy Zion, and all our other angels. Wrapped in my arms, and soaked in my tears, Nya took her last breath. We showed her one last time how much we love her, and we set her spirit free.
Nya, you were part of the greatest rescue story ever told with your mommy Zion. You taught me to fight for what is right, against all odds, to never give up, to never relent, and most importantly, to never give in, no matter the stakes. You taught me what real rescue is, and you and Z trained me well beginning in 2011.
From the moment I first laid eyes on you in that postage stamp sized yard where you were held prisoners, I knew my purpose in this life was to save you. Those 5 years I came to you and Zion every day to feed , water, walk, and love you, prior to your real rescue, when you left in 2017 with us, I whispered in your ears, “One day you’ll be free”, and I kept my promise. I may never know just who you, my two beautiful girls were to me in past lives, but I know we have always been together, and in this life it was my turn to save you both. When I die Nya and Zion please teach me how to fly.
There is no “I” in rescue. And I thank you Matt @mattminer1984 , Tiffany, @misfitmoto.and.co my ex-partner from Redemption Rescues, who fought alongside me through court cases and horrific harassment with T, from Canine Counsel @caninecounsel , our lawyers, Kim @ki.fraser (Sasha’s Mission), our angel supporters, who wish not to be named, our vets @hbanimalclinic @goldcoastcvc AHOR, and every single one of you by our side. It could have fallen apart at any moment had you all not been the incredible humans you are. You made their rescue a reality. I am forever grateful, I love you. There is so much more to say but I will leave it at this.
“So close, no matter how far. Couldn’t be much more from the heart. Forever trusting who we are. No, nothing else matters.” Metallica
Laverne
It is with the heaviest of hearts we have to share that just one week after her beloved sister Shirley had to be put to sleep, we had to also set Laverne free. Our only comfort is that the two inseparable senior sisters are together again.
Their incredibly loving fospice mom @crzmnstr65 is inconsolable. They have been with Kathy since we rescued the dynamic duo in December of 2022. The sisters waited their whole life to live the life they did with her, and for this we are so grateful.
Laverne, like Shirley, had a sudden onset of collapsing legs, combined with a sudden large mass on her spleen that hadn’t been there during her last recent ultrasound. So, wrapped in loving arms she left this earth to join her sister in paradise. We love you Laverne and Shirley. Thank you for choosing us to be part of your journey.
Shirley
Yesterday, one of the most beautiful souls we have ever known, Shirley, of Laverne and Shirley, told us it was her time. So, like we always do, we listened and set her free. (Zion’s Mission & Sasha's Mission)
I always say, “it’s harder to be left behind”. And this is true. Her fospice mom @crzmnstr65 and her beloved sister Laverne are grieving. They are heartbroken. And so are we.
In rescue, often times, the difference between life and death is you. And in Shirley’s case, along with her sister Laverne, that difference was Kathy. She opened her heart and home to the sisters as she has time and time again. She cared and tended to every need they had and with so much love. Kathy is one of my heroes and we have known her for years and years. She was truly Shirley’s hero too.
Poor Shirley wouldn’t stop shaking at one point and we told her, “Zion is waiting for you.” To everyone’s amazement, she stopped shaking. We know so many were there to greet her. We love you forever sweetheart. Thank you for choosing us Shirley.
We rescued Shirley and Laverne from another rescue who couldn’t properly care for them. Thanks to our loving vet @hbanimalclinic , Kathy and our angel donors, we were able to provide the best care.
Johnny
“And all it does is rain, and all I feel is pain, and all I see is rain ever since you went away” Nu Breed
I have been procrastinating writing this post. In my own way I felt that by not doing so it would make it untrue. But, it doesn’t, and here we are. Johnny, aka, Johnny one ear up one ear down, aka Johnny 2 guns is no longer with us. Heartbreakingly, we had to set him free. Free to be with our other originals, his best furry friends.
Despite our best efforts, and multiple months of top notch medical care thanks to @hbanimalclinic , sweet Johnny’s body turned on him and there was nothing else we could do. Being left behind is excruciating. Yet, we find comfort knowing he is free and with all our angels who undoubtedly welcomed him home.
Initially, Johnny was one of our neighborhood Far Rockaway dogs. He survived dog fights and drug dealers and was ultimately rescued by Gary after retrieving him from dog fighters. He became one of our sanctuary dogs so many years ago. We love and miss you Johnny Johns beyond measure sweet boy. And when I die I hope you and our other beloved angels teach me how to fly.
Maddy
Maddy, Maddy Medula aka Maddy's got a big old butt. our best girl left this earth wrapped in her number #1 humans arms Matt, while Maribel and I told her just how much we all love her, how thankful we are for choosing us, and I whispered in her ear "It's ok to go mommy. Please tell Dara, Joey, Terry, and all our beloved babies we say "We can't wait to see you again and please wait for us at the bridge. We will be there soon. When I die please teach me how to fly."
We rescued Maddy in 2014 thanks to my former rescue partner Tiffany at Redemption Rescues. She received a call from a city lawyer who the family was suing. When she arrived at the house she witnessed Maddy screaming from a wooden box with a hole she had dug in it and her bloody arm was sticking out all the while she was screaming.
Maddy had endured unimaginable cruelty and neglect at the hands of her former owners. She had been used and abused. Bred for puppies and placed in a shoddy wooden box pressed up against the side of their house. There was no opening except the corner where she had tried to chew and claw her way out. You could see the dried blood from where her arms bled trying to escape.
They nonchalantly told us that they had moved her to the basement from the box. When I opened the basement door and went in to get her this little emaciated girl came running up to me. There was shit everywhere and she was crying. No sooner had I looped her and Maddy was hurriedly leading me up the decrepit stairs, past her box of horrors and to the safety of our car past her former owners mom. The owner who had bred her was pulling in at the same time so we sped away.
Our friend Jen Duffy, who worked at our vet at the time, Animal Hospital of the Rockaways, opened up the clinic late and we checked her in. She was suffering from a very painful eye injury brought on by trauma and left untreated. She was emaciated and we didn't know if she would be ok.
2 intricate eye surgeries later, 1 follow up eye procedure, and months of receiving all the love in the world from us, she was ok. She was ours Matt from the time you named her Maddy on Beach Channel Drive while we were stopped at the light in front of Waterview. Maddy made it known there was no one else she loved more on earth than you. So, she became out dog.
We love you Maddy, we are broken here left without you. We thank you for choosing us! Thank you to everyone who helped our girl! You know who you are including Howard Beach Animal Clinic Howard Beach Veterinarian Services. Our words could never properly express our gratitude.
Gertie
Marble
"Every time we lose a dog like our Gertie Marble, they take a piece of our hearts. And when a new rescue comes to us, they give us a piece of theirs. If we live long enough, one day, our hearts will be all dog" Fly with the angels, our beautiful, beautiful girl. You will always be remembered, never forgotten, and you will live on with every rescue we do (Zion’s & Sasha’s Mission @ki.fraser . Gertie left this world wrapped in her blessing blanket and our loving arms.
Despite top notch medical care, and while receiving all the love, cuddles, and caring from her superstar hospice mom Lisa @berkerylisa , it just wasn't enough. Unfortunately, the cancers inside her were too much for her tired body to fight anymore. And because of her poor physical condition, both our oncologist and primary veterinarians' hands were tied in terms of treatment until she was stronger. We did everything we could for her and it just wasn't enough to save her.
Gertie came to us from @ahsnewark @sherlar shelter where she was brought in after being discarded like trash on the streets of Newark. Unable to walk, a kind soul called the shelter. We rescued her two days after her intake but it would prove to be not quick enough. Her body told the story of years of neglect, abuse, and agony. She was covered in tumors, cigar burns, and despite it all was the most loving girl. I will never forget when her tail wagged for the first time with Kim and I in the back of the hospital while we rubbed her and she watched the boats go by.
With our whole hearts we thank everyone who helps us, and supports us, you know who you are. Thank you to the volunteers at Fur Angel Blessings Blanketeer. Especially Lori Bonomini who made her super extra large blanket. Thank you to everyone at @hbanimalclinic for your never ending care for all our babies. Thank you, thank you, thank you
Teddy
Sometimes, I can see their wings. Teddy was an angel here on earth. Today, we showed him one more time just how much we love him, and set him free. His foster hero mom Kathy cried with a pain so deep it bellowed. Along with Irene, and Jared, and myself. @24hour_hotroti @irintintin @sassykim42066669
Teddy has been in foster with them since we rescued him a year and half ago. Thanks to our friend, and vet tech, Chanel, who convinced his previous owners to surrender him after they kept him imprisoned in a room all alone for years. And while his first 8 years were hell before being surrendered, his days since then have been filled with love, fun, respect, and the gentle touch of loving hands.
Words just can’t express my gratitude to all of these incredible humans, along with everyone at @hbanimalclinic including Taz. Sweet Teddy, may you fly with the angels. And when I die I hope you are part of my crew who teaches me how to fly. Until then, we love you, we miss you, and like we told you today, it’s ok to go.
“May the fire be your friend, and the sea rock you gently. May the moon light your way, till the wind sets you free.”
Major Steve
When there is little hope, we come in. When such beautiful souls like Major Steve’s are brought to our attention. Within a few minutes of the shelter calling us for help we pulled him. But it would prove to be too late.
His emaciated body, and how he was dumped in Weequahic Park in Newark like trash, reveals the cruelty and agony which was his life. We were too late, and to say I and those who loved him are heartbroken is simply an understatement.
His first angel on earth, Chantal, who saw him being dumped and stayed with him until he was safe at the shelter did an emergency transport this morning and rushed him to our loving vet @hbanimalclinic where all hands were on deck to save him. He came in critical and it was clear almost immediately he wasn’t going to make it.
When he was carried in and X-rays and all imaging was done of his abdomen you couldn’t even see his organs. There was so much fluid building up that it was now putting pressure on his heart. He was in pain, too far gone, so we showed him one last act of kindness, and set him free.
Major Steve, you were someone, not something. Major Steve, we loved you more than my words could ever say. Major Steve, we are so sorry we were too late. Fly with all our angels, our beautiful boy. We will meet again.
Our world is a hateful place where the evil outweighs the good. And there are more monsters who walk amongst us than angels. Thank you to Chantal, @sherlar , @hbanimalclinic , @ki.fraser, and @berkerylisa who was going to snuggle you endlessly. Thank you to Zion’s Mission’s guardian Angels who make all rescues like this possible. You know who you are
Patrick
Today we set precious Patrick free. The clot in his aorta was getting bigger and he was becoming very tired. We wanted him to leave with his dignity, surrounded by those who love him the most, and not in any pain. We took our cues from Patrick, and he let his loving foster mom Lisa know he was ready.
Patrick was an emergency hospice rescue from Animal Care Centers of NYC over a year ago. When we met him at the Brooklyn shelter we had Lisa on the phone with us. By the time we were ready to leave Lisa said "pull him, I love him." So, with that, I texted Dr. Roufail, "I am on the way with your new 80 pound best friend." Little did we know at the time that truer words had never been spoken.
Patrick spent a lot of time at Howard Beach Animal Clinic due to his extensive medical needs and he became their dog, just as much as he was ours. Every time he came to the hospital he received a heroes welcome and I would hear echoing throughout the back upon our arrival, "Patrick is here, Patrick is here." Today, Patrick received a hero’s farewell. His human friends at the hospital and his best canine friend Taz, along with myself and Lisa showed him one final act of love and we set him free.
With our whole hearts we thank everyone who helped make Patrick's rescue a reality. To know him was to love him and he will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, our beautiful boy. I know there were so many welcoming you to paradise.
Nubs
“In my hour of darkness I reached for a hand and found your paw.”
Our time with Nubs here on earth has come to a close. We showed him one more time just how much we love him and set him free.
There are no words to properly describe just what a blessing he was to everyone he met. He was a cruelty court case from Newark and thanks to his hospice mom Lisa he never looked back on the cruelty he endured all those years before he met us.
Instead, he lived in the moment, enjoyed the gentle touch of loving hands, and bathed in the light of love and luxury. Things he had never known were possible.
With my whole heart I thank Lisa from Howard Beach Animal Clinic, Sherri from AHS Newark and my dearest friend, Kim from Sasha’s Mission. And last but not least Taz, from HB who was his best doggie friend.
When Kim and I picked up Nubs up from the shelter he ran to her, buried his face in her lap, and cried out. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my rescue career I have ever witnessed.
We love you to the moon and back Nubs. I know so many of ours were there waiting for you to welcome you to paradise. When I die I hope you are one of my angels who teach me how to fly. Until we meet again.
Zoe
There was a chance, so we tried. Heartbreakingly, as we know all too well, life is unfair. And sweet little Zoe passed away despite our best surgical efforts. Zoe came into our vet yesterday afternoon with her loving owner. She had accidentally eaten a tampon. Her distraught owner wanted nothing more that to save her best friend but was unable to pay for the surgery.
Within minutes of learning of this situation and alerting one of Angel donors Zoe was being prepped for surgery. But the surgery was unsuccessful and coupled with some other complicating issues her little body couldn’t handle it and she left this world.
Zoe was loved, she was cared for, she was cherished. We are so sorry baby girl we couldn’t save you. Thank you to our incredibly loving angel donor, who like us, will do anything for the animals as long as there is chance. Words can’t properly express our gratitude to you. I spoke to Zoe’s mom just now and while she is devastated, she is so grateful. Had we not tried it would have haunted us forever. Fly free sweet Zoe. I know Zion and so many were there to welcome you to paradise.
Peanut
"The soft memories remind me it's hard. It's like I am looking to the sky while I am hiding the scars. On another cloudy night trying to find me a star."
With the help from our loving friends at Howard Beach Animal Clinic we set Peanut free today. His kidneys suddenly shut down and his heart issues became worse. Despite our best efforts, he was in pain, and it was the kindest choice we could make. He had been hospitalized for the last few days. On Thursday he suddenly stopped eating and wasn't taking any of his meds anymore. On Friday he was hanging out in corners and was no longer my constant companion, attached to me while we slept.
Peanut Puff was rescued by one of my best friends, Laura, who runs Sarama Animal Rescue. I will never forget years ago getting on the 4 train to go to work in the morning and I saw Laura's post about him. Right before I lost service I messaged Matt, "Can we take Peanut?", and he replied, "I just texted Laura about him. This must be meant to be." And it was. he was an A+ cuddler and the sweetest boy, other than his love bites lol. On days I was depressed and couldn't get out of bed he was there by my side. On days I felt great he was there sleeping on my shoulder. Thank you Peanut Puff for making this life more bearable just by being with us. I have no doubt Joey is snuggling with you like we all did so many nights. Watch over us Peanut until we meet again our sweet boy.
Penny
As it was in the beginning, it will be in the end. Yesterday, at 4:00pm I had the honor of setting Princess Penny free with her mom Frannie and Dr. Fragola in our backyard where her rescue began two years ago.
Wrapped in her mom’s loving arms and with tear soaked fur, Penny took her last breath. We spent her last hours feeding her her favorite foods and reminiscing about all things Penny. She even tried to bite me one last time for old time sake.
Penny spent 5 months at our house before being adopted by Frannie. She was best described by those that love her as sassy, eccentric, spicy, crotchety, particular, grumpy, cantankerous, a gassy girl, a reluctant snuggle bunny, and maybe most notably, the side eye queen.
Undoubtedly, Frannie now has the fiercest guardian Angel. With our whole hearts we thank everyone who helped Princess Penny and made her rescue a reality. Fly free sweet mama. We love you so much.
Terry
Last night we set Totally Terry free. His back legs, which he has been struggling with for sometime, completely gave out on him and he was losing control of his bodily functions. Terry was 14 years old. He left us having had known more joyful days than bad, the feeling of true love, and with his dignity, which was very important to him.
Terry’s rescue began in 2012 when I saw what appeared to be a dog in a ditch in someone’s yard from the elevated A train. When Matt and I went to investigate with our friend Jen we found an emaciated rottie who was being kept on a 6 foot chain with a prong collar. He was burrowing in the dirt under a shrub to hide from the sun. We banged on their door until the owner came out. They insisted he was fine.
Ultimately, they agreed to let us bring medicine for the biting flies, a new dog house, collar, lead and food. They also agreed to let us come feed him every day. In the beginning Terry was extremely fearful of us and in order to feed him Matt or I would have to distract him while the other ran to put food and water near his house. Slowly he began to trust us and we were able to start petting him and all. Through going to care for him day in and day out we were able to see why he was so extremely fearful of people. As if it wasn’t bad enough he was living outside in a yard his chain link fence faced the walkway to the A train so countless heartless people taunted him and threw things at him as they passed. For weeks we went to him day and night with the family allowing us to keep him inside at our house once in awhile. The only days we didn’t see Terry was when it rained. Then poor Terry was locked in a shed on the property.
Right before Hurricane Sandy hit we went and got Terry and he came to our house and never went back to that yard. Due to his unpredictability despite training we made the decision that he wasn’t adoptable and would remain with us forever as a sanctuary dog.
With our whole hearts we thank everyone who helped Terry along the way. Most of all we hope he is running free with Dara, Joey, Zion, and so many others of ours. We love you TT.
Fossil
"May the fire be your friend and the sea rock you gently. May the moon light your way till the wind sets you free."
With broken hearts and tear soaked cheeks, we have to let you know that we were forced to set 16 year old Fossil free early this morning despite our best efforts. To say we are in shock is just an understatement. He had his ultrasound, echocardiogram, and other tests just the other day clearing him for tomorrow's scheduled surgery to remove his spleen that had a mass on it.
But this morning Fossil was having a harder time than usual walking which prompted us to have breakfast in bed. After he enjoyed his meal and a kong we tried walking again and it was worse. So we immediately brought him to the hospital where upon exam and testing it became clear that his body had totally crashed and was giving out on him. He was no longer strong enough for surgery and there was nothing we could do.
We welcomed Fossil into rescue only 6 days ago but I feel like I have loved him my whole life. As soon as you met him you knew he was someone special. Horrifyingly, he was found near death in a park in Newark by ACO officers on Halloween. He was immediately rushed to AHS-Newark Branch where he met his first angels Sherri, their Rescue Coordinator, and Samantha, their vet tech who refused to let him die. We had a whole plan for Fossil which included a life of love with our most amazing fospice mom Lisa. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, it would never happen as we planned.
Words can't express how grateful we are that Fossil was home with us this past week. We did so many fun things with him but most of all we loved him. Last night he was my little spoon and I received what seemed like a thousand stinky kisses. When he wasn't with us he was with our incredibly loving friends Howard Beach Veterinarian Services where he ate fries, cheeseburgers, and hung out with their resident dog Taz while having all his tests. Fossil left this world knowing true love and the touch of gentle hands. For this we are thankful. Rest easy our sweet boy. We miss you terribly.
Kimora
We are heartbroken. We were forced to make the decision to put Kimora to sleep and set her free. Our 13 year old sweetheart began having seizures in her foster home resulting in us rushing her to our loving vet. She was hospitalized and placed on IV meds which included anti-seizure drugs and given numerous tests but nothing that her top notch medical team did was enough to make the seizures stop. Ultimately, little Kimora was placed into a medically induced coma but unfortunately continued to seizure. We had no choice but to set her free.
We are so grateful to her foster parents who provided her with such an incredibly loving home. She loved running around their yard, relaxing in her princess bed, and her favorite room in the house was the kitchen for snacks. Please hold a loving thought for them as they are so upset.
Kimora was loved, respected, and cherished by every person who helped her since rescue. We are so thankful that she left this world knowing true love. Thank you to each and everyone of you who helped her. This is my favorite picture of Kimora when we dropped her off at foster. Despite being blind she loved their yard and running around. She definitely knew happiness. We love you sweet angel.
Sara
We are heartbroken. Sweet Sara passed away late last night. Her precious body just wasn't strong enough to successfully battle the raging infections inside. All 17 pounds of her might have been able to combat the parvo alone, but coupled with pneumonia, infected bite wounds and a broken tibia from being attacked by another dog was just too much. Horrifyingly, her former owner waited to surrender her until her situation was so critical that even the very best round the clock medical care couldn't save her.
Our only comfort is that Sara was with the person she cherished most when she passed. She was in the loving arms of Megan, her incredibly dedicated nurse who had been providing the round the clock critical care she needed since her rescue.
With our whole hearts we thank her doctors and everyone at Howard Beach Veterinarian Services for showering her with love, kindness, respect, and administering medical care second to none. We thank our friends at Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) for trusting us with their most vulnerable cases and for all they do for animals like Sara. And our angel donors who rescue the most desperate babies time and again with us.
We live in a cruel world where pain and suffering are prevalent. People are the most dangerous of predators. And animals like Sara often pay with their lives. We are so sorry we couldn't save you Sara. We are so grateful we got a chance to spend time with you and tell you how much we love you. I asked Zion to be ready to meet you at the bridge if the time came. I am so sorry it did. Rest easy sweet Sara until we meet again.
Sox
Sox was rushed to his vet last week after he suddenly stopped eating and was lethargic. After xrays and an ultrasound it was discovered that Sox had an enormous tumor in his stomach. So in one last act of love for his best boy, Gordon made the excruciating decision to set him free.
Gordon is heartbroken with the passing of his best friend. We met Gordon and Sox last year when the duo needed monthly help getting Sox's seizure medication as well as general vet care and food. Gordon and Sox were known and loved by many in Far Rockaway. Gordon is a disabled Vietnam Veteran who completed two tours with the Marines and Sox spent many years as a therapy dog. The duo used to visit nursing homes, senior centers, and St. John's pediatrics at Christmas time.
Leo
In the short time we knew you, we loved you. We wanted more than anything to fix you and undo years of neglect. And while we tried, we couldn’t. In one final act of love we set Leo, our tiny lion, free.
He was an emergency rescue from ACC. And while we once again knew what horrible shape he was in we held out hope we could help him. He underwent emergency surgery for his incredibly infected teeth and had every single one removed along with two tumors in his nasal cavities.
Upon recovering Leo went straight to his foster hero mom Kathy who he fell madly in love with and she with him. In fact, he loved all his furry foster siblings as well as Kathy’s whole family. He enjoyed long walks, jumping around the back yard, eating a lot, and most of all snuggling under Kathy’s neck.
Our only comfort is that Leo knew true love before he left this horrible world. He had the time of his life with Kathy and we are so thankful for this. Rest easy our little Lion until we meet again.
Robbie
There are just no words to describe how devastated we all are. Little Robbie passed away last night in his sleep cradled in loving arms. Since Robbie's rescue last week he has been doing well and this past weekend had a great check up with our vet. Last night, out of nowhere, he became lethargic and was rushed to our vet. Unfortunately, his tiny little three week old body wasn't strong enough and gave out on him despite our best efforts. In the short time that Robbie was with us he was showered with love. We are so grateful that he didn't die alone in the woods where he was found last week discarded like trash. And that he knew the gentle touch of loving hands before he left this world. We will miss you forever Robbie.
Bear
Two weeks ago today, on Valentine's day, we answered an emergency call from our friends at MACC to help precious Bear. We rushed to pick him up and as soon as we met him our hearts were his. We fell head over heels right there on East 110th street. And while we were told he was a hospice case, we had high hopes he would remain with us for a good while. At least long enough to show him the joy of a sunny spring day and to feel the warm sun on his body as he relaxed in our yard while the birds sang. But it wasn't to be.
Today, in one final act of love for our best Bear we set him free. Bear's spirit was strong but his body was tired. The abuse and neglect he endured from his former owner, combined with the liver cancer had ravaged his precious Bear body and he physically couldn't go on. Wrapped in his favorite blanket and the gentle touch of our loving hands we held him tight and said our goodbyes.
Bear was an incredibly special soul and he was someone very important to us. I firmly believe he was sent to us for a reason. And even though we are absolutely heartbroken, we wouldn't trade our last two weeks with him for anything. Just having the honor of knowing and loving Bear is worth all the pain of losing him. We may have only held our Bear in our arms for a short while, but we will carry him forever in our hearts and minds.
Thank you to everyone who made his rescue possible. Until we meet again our beautiful Bear. I know Zion, Dara, Ferdie, Joey, Ollie, Mack and so many of our other beloved babies are running free with you now.
Ferdie
“One sunny morning, we’ll rise and I know. I’ll meet you further on up the road.”
We are devastated once again. Our beloved Ferdie lost his battle with cancer, despite our best efforts using chemotherapy. There are just no words to describe how much we love him or how much we can't wait to see him, Zion, Joey, Dara, and all our others who we love beyond measure again. We may never be able to see his beautiful smile anymore, but we know his beautiful soul shines on.
Ferdie was an ACC death row rescue back in July of 2018. And while he initially went to foster, he displayed some behavior there that caused our trainer to recommend he come back to our house. Unlike most of the dogs we rescue, we weren't just a stepping stone in Ferdie's journey home. We were his forever home. Our Ferdie quickly became one of our sanctuary dogs, and to say we were blessed is just an understatement. From his happy gallop, to his spectacular smile which revealed the cutest of teeth, to his stinky kisses, we loved him completely.
Initially, it hadn't been clear as to why Ferdie had been sent to us. However, when our beloved Zion passed away from cancer and left her daughter Nya, Ferdie stepped up and rescued her from her heartbreak. Nya, immediately, almost eerily, loved Ferdie right away. They were immediately inseparable and have spent every minute since together. The two loved to spoon for hours in a sunbeam, clean each other's faces, or nap paw in paw. Ferdie will be sorely missed.
Please hold a loving thought for those of us who loved him the most including Nya, who also battles cancer but has been winning for almost two years thanks to her lifesaving chemotherapy treatments. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped Ferdie over the years. This is one of my favorite pictures. He loved his Ferdie fries so much. In honor of him we all shared some fries after we set him free.
Mack
Today Mack's mom Meggie showed him one last time just how much she loves him by setting him free. Our beautiful boy was placed on hospice care 6 weeks ago by his internist and since then Meggie and Mack have had the chance to make so many more beautiful memories together. But quite frankly it's never enough. Meggie has sat up night after night tending to his every need, and sometimes just to watch him sleep and hear him breathe. All the while knowing there was an invisible clock counting down the minutes to this day.
We rescued Mack last November from some despicable humans in Far Rockaway. We had gone there to pick up a cat they were about to throw out on the street when they told us they also had a sick, blind pit bull in one of the back bedrooms. And even though little Mack was clearly not well they refused to let us take him without paying for him. So we gladly bought his freedom and welcomed him to rescue.
A few days later Meggie began fostering him. Soon after this we learned Mack had autoimmune issues and had been blinded due to chemicals getting in his eyes. We knew right then that Mack was a special needs boy who was going to require a lot of care and attention. He was going to require what most people wouldn't be willing to give. So it worked out well that Meggie isn't like most people. She is caring, loving, thoughtful and has always loved Mack like she does her own human children. She is an incredibly special person and we are so thankful that after all he had been through, and all he was going to face, that she had been sent to stand by him every step of the way.
In his short time on earth Mack brought joy to so many of us. Including the students at my school whom he visited on two occasions as part of our pro-pit bull and rescue education efforts. Despite his chronic illnesses, and no matter how bad he was feeling Mack always wanted to be part of whatever was going on. He was loyal, loving and brave. We love him so much. Here is the first picture of Meggie and Mack when she picked him up for foster and the last picture of them today. As it was in the beginning it was in the end.
“I'll tell the world, I'll sing a song. It's a better place since you came along. Your touch is sunlight through the trees. Your kisses are the ocean breeze. Everything's alright when you're with me. And I hold my favorite thing. I hold the love that you bring. It's a better place since you came along."
Dara
And just like that Dara became an angel. Our original girl has lost her battle with cancer. Last night we set her free peacefully outside our house, in the backyard she loved so much. Wrapped in Matt’s arms, and her prayer blanket, I kissed her paws and we told her how much we love her, how much we would miss her, and how thankful we are to her.
We rescued Dara over 10 years ago from Manhattan ACC after she was left in a vacant apartment, locked in a crate, and sitting in her own filth. Her quirks and behavior challenges with other doggies kept us on our toes. But she was worth it. And little did we know, Dara doodle was training us so we would be prepared to help so many others. Dara was the leader of our pack and with a lot of patience, vigilance, and love she paid it forward to countless dogs. It’s because of her that Matt and I rescue today.
Despite trying multiple chemotherapy protocols nothing stopped the aggressive mast cell tumors that riddled her precious body. So when she told us a few days ago it was time for her to go we listened. With our whole hearts we thank Dara's oncology team at Forest Hills BluePearl Veterinary Partners, not only for their top notch medicine but for their compassion and guidance. And to Dr. Laura Abramov and her loving vet tech Meg, who made it possible for us to say this most difficult good bye at our house despite the pandemic. Words just can't express our gratitude.
Ollie
Ollie's body was tired and just like that the light that once shined so bright in his beautiful eyes began to fade. So with all the strength we could muster we made the excruciating decision to set him free. Together, with some of Ollie's most beloved caretakers at our vet we formed a circle of love around him and said goodbye.
We rescued our little prince this past January from horrifying breeders in Far Rockaway who had let him suffer with an untreated eye injury. When we finally negotiated his release, and he was brought outside to us, Ollie was so petrified he wouldn't walk. We scooped him up, got him in our car, and by the time we reached Blue Pearl in Forest Hills for treatment we were head over heels in love. There was just something extra special about him. Something you couldn't put your finger on. In the days following we watched him blossom into a carefree comical little boy who kept us all laughing with his awkward bounces, gallops, and summersaults. And when he was tuckered out from tossing his favorite toys around he liked to cuddle and be the little spoon.
Ollie lived with Matt and myself and at Kim's house before going to his amazing foster family. But since he was plagued with one mystery infection after another he often called Howard Beach Animal Clinic his home. For the past 5 weeks Dr. Roufail and the incredibly loving staff not only cared for Ollie medically but also emotionally. Due to COVID guidelines we were prohibited from visiting him everyday like we had during past hospitalizations but we didn't worry because we knew he was in the best of hands. Ollie had become their dog as much as he was ours. He had the run of the hospital every morning from 8 to 10. He hung out in their offices, he played ball on the days he was feeling up to it and when he was able to eat on his own without the help of his feeding tube he had many lunches happily shared with him. On the days Ollie didn't feel well he received an abundance of cuddles, kisses and words of encouragement. He had a favorite kennel where he could view the hospital just the way he liked it and watch the goings on. Often times his caretakers would take turns laying inside with him. The staff members were so attached to Ollie that they would call in to see how he was doing on their days off because this is just how special he was.
There are no words that could ever properly convey how much we miss him, how much we love him, or how much we wanted him to stay. There are many people who don't deserve the life they have. Then there was Ollie. Why he had to go and they get to stay we will never understand. It just isn't fair.
With our whole hearts we thank his angel here on earth and all those who helped get him the best medical care possible. We did everything we could for Ollie and if love alone could have saved him he never would have died. He was one of the most special souls we have ever met and while we are heartbroken we wouldn’t trade our time with him for anything. Until we meet again our beautiful loving boy.
Crow
"Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be here". We are heartbroken once again. Our beautiful baby boy Bailey, formerly known as Crow has passed away. Our vet discovered during his last exam a few days ago that he had a heart murmur so we postponed neutering him. We had an appointment for him to have his echocardiogram later in the week and he went home to his loving moms. Bailey had a meal, played and then suddenly died. We believe he had a heart attack. Words can't begin to express how devastated his family is. Josie and Vicki are inconsolable. We rescued him when he was a wee baby from ACC. He had been found in pretty bad shape in Brooklyn and was hospitalized to address his URI's prior to coming home with us. We knew immediately when we received his moms' application that he was meant to be with them. They showed him what a real family was. They loved him beyond measure and I don't think he ever stopped purring from the moment we dropped him off at their apartment. Please hold a loving thought for those who loved him the most at this most difficult time.
Zion
Zion, the most beautiful girl in the world has lost her battle with the very aggressive T cell lymphoma she has been battling for almost two years now. On Tuesday evening at home, surrounded by her daughter Nya and many of us who love her the most, we showed Zion one final act of love and set her free.
Zion’s will to survive was inspirational. The rescue of her and her daughter Nya took 5 years to complete and for the last 2 1/2 years Zion has loved every minute of her new life. Against all odds she thrived while receiving life saving chemotherapy treatments for the last 18 months and beat the odds again and again. In the end though the cancer was too much for her precious body to fight any longer. Our love for her is immeasurable and we will miss her more than words could ever express.
Thank you to her very special guardian angels here on earth who ensured Zion received all the medical care she needed and to everyone of you who helped Zion along the way including her medical dream teams at Animal Hospital of the Rockaways and BluePearl Veterinary Partners Oncology.
Joey
Joey traded in his JoJo pants for JoJo wings this past Saturday, and we were forced to say goodbye too our very best boy. There are just no words that I can string together to properly express our heartbreak, how much we loved and needed him in our lives, or how much we will miss him. Everyday we are reminded just how unfair life can be, and the loss of this beautiful soul is one more. Joey brought joy, love and laughter to everyone he met. He loved birds, butterflies, dogs and cats, but mostly, he loved me. He was my constant companion and doggie soulmate. Wherever I went he followed. I don't know why he loved me so much but I am grateful her did. He was simply the best.
We rescued Joey from a very neglectful situation almost 11 years ago. A social worker who was working with his former family saw how neglected he was and reached out for help. This case worker risked her job to help save Joey as she could have gotten in trouble at the time for calling us in. But she did it anyway, and we are eternally grateful.
The first night we rescued him we brought him back to our apartment. I didn't want him to be scared so I slept in our hallway on the floor with Joey and a ton of blankets. Our Dara, at that time, was very dog aggressive, so we had to make sure she didn't see him. Despite falling head over heels immediately for Joey we had every intention of adopting him out. I would walk him with his adopt me vest on and bring him all over the city. One day a woman stopped as Joey and I were sitting cheek to cheek on the grass. I asked her if she was interested in Joey. She looked at me and said "He isn't going anywhere". I wish I could tell her she was right. Shortly after that we realized Joey was meant to be with us and so began the incredibly slow process of getting Dara to accept him. Between Matt, myself, my parents and our friends Sherry and Walter, who ran Paws in Soho at the time, it was successful and Dara and Joey became lovingly known as our originals.
We have made so many memories and have taken so many pictures over the past 11 years together. But this is my favorite. My mom and I used to take Joey and Dara very early in the morning over to Pier 17 when we lived in the city all those years ago. There was an outside beach bar there at the time and we used to sneak in to play with them in the sand very very early before anyone would be around to tell us to leave.
We had no idea our time was going to run out so fast. We had no idea that it was his last night with us at home. We had no idea when we brought him to our vet this past Friday morning he wouldn't come home. Since his last ultrasound and echocardiogram just barely two weeks ago, a huge mass had grown in his precious tummy and he began having more serious heart issues. There was nothing more we could do for him except set him free.
Thank you to his first vet Dr. Mary Xanthos, all his friends at Animal Hospital of the Rockaways and Howard Beach Animal Clinic for taking such amazing care of Joey throughout his life. Until we meet again JoJo Pants, aka Joey Meatballs, Joey Pringles, Joey Broccoli, and so many more loving nick names. We love you more than words can say. Run free with Dara, Zion, and so many more.
Cocoa
We are heartbroken. We had to say goodbye to our super sweet senior Cocoa. Early Sunday morning Cocoa had a seizure, and while we were with her and able to help her through it, it was clear her health was rapidly declining. From then on she had a harder time walking and her breathing was intermittently labored. Last month after pulling her from ACC we brought her to one of our trusted internists and her ultrasound revealed a swollen lymph-node, enlarged, heart, liver and a mass on her spleen, which could rupture at any point causing internal bleeding. We were told she could not withstand surgery so the only thing to do was to keep her comfortable until we couldn’t. After the seizure we brought Cocoa to Blue Pearl where we decided the kindest thing we could do for her was to set her free. We asked our Zion to meet Cocoa and keep her safe while we whispered in her ear how much we loved her. We held her close and she passed peacefully. Fly with angels sweet Cocoa, no more pain.
Sam
Rescue is often heart wrenching. And we are left to try and fix horrific situations that took years to create. When we were first contacted by Sam’s former owner for help we were told he was in good physical shape and extremely well adjusted, suited for almost any new family. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the truth.
After securing just the right foster, based on what we had been told repeatedly in our multiple conversations with the guy, we made a plan to pick Sam up yesterday and take him immediately to our vet for a full work up before going to foster today. But when we showed up and met Sam it was Immediately clear that we were going to have to come up with a new plan, and quick, because the guy was closing on his house in less than 24 hours and had threatened to leave him on the side of the road or dump him at a shelter on his way out of town today to Florida.
Sam was initially petrified when the guy brought him out of the house to meet us and seemed uncomfortable on his leash, as if he wasn’t used to it. He was also going in and out of guarding the guy and the house from us. After some time we made our way to the backyard where he seemed to relax more around us, but only for moments here and there. It was clear he was petrified of everything.
When we start questioning the guy we finally got some of the real story. Sam had been living there for almost 14 years and he often guarded the now deceased wife from the son who were both mentally ill. Sam would get so upset during some of the domestic violence episodes over the years that he would bite them. He actually bit while we were there.
Then there was Sam’s initial physical issues that we were aware of just by being near him like his ear infection that we could smell, unkempt fur, and rank saliva. The guy said he hadn’t been to the vet and when asked why he never took him he had no real answer. Nor could he answer why he hadn’t just been up front with us about the situation.
Removing Sam at that moment would have been cruel due to how scared he was and impossible due to how on guard he was. He had clearly suffered enough over the years, we didn’t want to add to it. We also needed time to talk the situation out with our trainers and regroup with our most trusted medical professionals.
So we went back today with tranquilizers so we could safely transport Sam to our vet. Once we got there and gave him a second sedative to further calm him we were able to see and feel there was nothing but bones underneath all the fur and he was a lot more deteriorated than we had thought.
After much discussion we came to the conclusion that due to Sam’s deteriorated physical condition, his behavior issues, and his age the kindest thing we could do was put him to sleep. Sam passed away peacefully while I held him knowing the gentle touch of loving hands. Sometimes why we are sent to an animal isn’t for the reason we initially thought. Sometimes, as in Sam’s case, it’s to set them free.
Zander
Last Sunday this beautiful baby boy took his first breath. But he wasn’t like his siblings, he was born with a cleft palate. Because of this deformity the breeder didn’t want him anymore and didn’t think anyone else would either. That’s when our friends at Howard Beach Vet called us asking if we would want to help him. We immediately said yes and together we put together a plan, which included one of their incredibly loving vet techs tube feeding him every two hours until he was a little bit older and could teach us how to do it. We knew he was critical and the odds were not in his favor but we held out hope. Heartbreakingly, he took his last breath on Thursday and passed away. He had so many who loved him beyond measure including the forever family who was waiting to adopt him. We wanted more than anything to save him but it wasn’t meant to be. We are so sorry Zander we couldn’t save you. Fly with the angels little one. You will always be remembered, you will never be forgotten.