Dogs Deserve Better In Memory: No Chained Dogs!

Our best friends go and leave a deep, lasting hole in our hearts. We all want to share our loves with the world. Memorialize your baby for the coming years by donating to Dogs Deserve Better in his/her name. Share a photo and a paragraph with all who come here. Donations may be made at the bottom of the page.

Bo is the reason for Dogs Deserve Better. He was a simple black dog, the kind that is all too easily ignored in the shelter. He was old, and he was in the beginning of the end when I finally gathered him from his caregivers. We had six months together, and I so wish I knew then what I know now, and could have appreciated each moment more.

I loved him for six years before he came to me, pure and simple. I loved him. When his 'owner' told me not to come on the property to see him anymore, I cried, telling her, "But I love him." I was in anguish watching him every day. He was in my soul, and he gave me my purpose. What could be a greater mission for a dog? His ashes will ALWAYS sit by my bed, until I too go to the great beyond.

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My precious angel Boudicca. A brave warrior through her entire life whose body just would not keep working any longer. She was a big, black bundle of rugged yet loving Spirit with so much love pouring out of her dark soul-filled eyes.

Miss Boudicca, we love you completely and ALL of us miss you each and every day. You gave me the rare and wonderful gift of unconditional love and I carry you in my heart always.

Here is a pic of Luke, formerly called Hooch who lived chained to a doghouse for many years near Athens Ohio. A former Ohio university student and her aunt watched over him and in Dec of 2004, they brought him to our house to become part of the adoption program of DDB...He however stayed with us, became the poster dog for local DDB until he was humanely euthanized on September 1 2008 after a very sudden final illness.

We miss him and are thankful to have been his final caretakers. He is safe now and Mike and I want to continue to support DDB while we are here on the earth to the extent that we can, because we literally take dogs "from rags to riches" as Luke's first benefactor said.

How can we measure the worth of saving one animal? Luke was thankful, I saw it in his eyes every day. That's so worth it.—Lois and Mike Rose

Clea
August 2, 2008

Clea lost her battle with Cancer on 8/2/08 she will always be in our thoughts & our hearts. She belonged to Kristi an employee of DDB.

Clea would have been 12 years old this year. Clea's favorite things to do were to come to Bellwood to visit Zoe & Hannah or walk on the beach with Kristi, Freedom & Indea.

In Memory of Alex
8/8/1993 - 7/22/2006

My dear Alex...October 8, 2008 will make 15 years since you came to live with me. You were only 8 weeks old and so precious. You lived with me for almost 13 years and I am truly blessed to have spent that time with you.

Alex with his friend Jenny, my best friend's Cocker Spaniel.....Jenny passed away on August 29,2002. They were truly loved and will always be missed.

Alex's last Christmas...picture was t aken on Novemeber 28, 2005.

A Rottweiler mix she was the gentlest of souls, always submissive to all the dogs and cats. She played dress-up with Brynnan without complaint.

Heidi came to DDB Headquarters in the beginning, when we were barely more than a twinkle in Tammy Grimes� eye.

Each day she would ride to the post office, to the bank on errands and rescue missions with Kim our DDB Office Manager and the two quickly bonded into soul mates.

Heidi was at least 10 years old when she passed. Heidi�s favorite thing in the world was cheese and she even spent a day on her own �Cheese Picnic� with her DDB family. Dogs Deserve Better would be very grateful for donations in Heidi�s honor.

Woodrow came to live with me in 1996, when I was in Tulsa. He lived large to the very end, and died as he would have wished � in my arms. Like all of our companion animals, he is both unique and irreplaceable. Requiescat in pace et in amore, old friend.

Yippie was my first pet ever. I was told his first owner beat him, by his second owner who delegated him to the backyard. He was fithy and matted, but I could see his beautiful orange coat under all the dirt. The day I met him, he put his chin on my lap, and looked up at me with sad eyes.He was a fearful but gentle dog, often backing away from people, and hiding behind me. I couldn�t understand how anyone could mistreat this beautiful gentle, loving, angel.

It took about 3 years, but one day, copying another dog, he playfully pounced toward a tennis ball. Eventually he became less fearful of strangers. I was always gentle with my baby, and he returned the love I needed. I loved the way he wagged his entire behind in excitement and made cute noises when I returned home. I vowed to protect him and any other animals that I encountered.

Willie was my second baby. I adopted him 6 months after Yippie. He was so social -- he desperately wanted to meet every stranger on the street. He was independent, and happy. He was at his best in the presence of a �new� person or dog. Willie jumped in to many a stranger�s car, but it didn't bother me- I was glad he had a naive and innocent love for people. He whined uncontrollably any time he couldn�t jump in a stranger�s lap. He even loved going to the vet (til the last year) because he loved seeing the other dogs and owners.

I want the world to know how wonderful they were. What beautiful, loving babies. Yippie, Willie - Mommy loves you both more than anything in the whole world. Sending you big hugs and kisses.

Poundcake was my constant companion for 15 1/2 years---I had a long time to love her but it wasn't nearly long enough. She came to me at eight weeks old as a feisty, smart 8 lb "poundcake-shaped" puppy and grew into a feisty, smart 75 lb girl.

Poundcake kept me on my toes...she challenged me daily but also honored me with her complete devotion and love. She loved children, frisbees and anything squeaky- she also completely understood everything I said to her and many times "talked" back to me to give me her opinion. I spent less than 5 nights away from her during her 15 1/2 years and still tell her goodnight out of habit. Till I see you again, my Poundcake-

goodnight sweetheart.—Denise Elkins

I lost my beautiful Roxy girl to Cancer. We tried everything we could to save her life and I am devastated. I just donated in her memory and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in the way you honored her in the 2008 calendar. That is my precious keepsake of the honor she so deserved for the way she struggled during her early years, she was my hero and I miss her more than I ever imagined. I can hardly see to type thru my tears. Thank you again for all your hard work. There must be a special (dog) heaven waiting for you.

Many thanks to you and your staff, Karen McGee

Saia was a dog who was very fortunate to be well cared for by her owners, (our best friends Pattie and Ed) and befriended by all the people she came into contact with. She lived in the house with our friends, had a special dog orthopedic bed with her name embroidered on it, loads of doggy toys, she liked to lay on the lounge chair by their pool and sun, and spent every night snuggled up in bed with our friends. They even bought a special extra large upholstered rocking chair so she could sit with them in it and watch TV - Saia was over 40 pounds - a good size lap dog. We chose to give this donation in her name for the care of others not as lucky. She died last Monday as a result of a side effect reaction/complication with some medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Maybe one of the most profound things he wound up doing happened after he was gone. Our wonderful, caring friends donated money in his memory to Dogs Deserve Better.

We had never heard of the organization before and after going to the website and reading about it, how could you not be moved to join the fight?

We fully intend to make this cause heard to all we know, and will pass the website along. Petey was lucky to have been a very spoiled, loved dog that was never chained, but will be the reason a lot of people will hear about Dogs Deserve Better. We will miss Petey for as long as we live and will never forget him and we thank our friends for their love and support.

Mario was a fun loving guy who did not just wag his tail, but his entire body. Mario loved everyone and was loved by everyone. One of his best friends was Cupcake our little Gray Cat. Cupcake taught Mario how to clean his face in "Cat Fashion" and if that did not take care of the situation, he developed the art of using the couch as a full face napkin.

Mario was especially fond of bubble baths. He loved a nice warm bath with bubbles all around him and a nice long soak. He loved to get dried in the nice warm sun, followed by a long brushing. He was very much into his appearance and liked to be fussed over immensely.

He learned to swim at the ripe young age of 13. Once he got the hang of this doggie paddle thing, there was no stopping him. When he was older and not quite as strong for swimming, he loved to lay on a raft and be pulled around the water.

Mario is missed dearly. The only consolation is knowing that Mario has joined long time friends and good buddies: Cheerio, Oreo and Domino. I cant wait to see you all again. — Love, Mom (Laura Lange)

Annie wasn't a chained dog, but she was abused in her own way. Annie was born during the "ROTTWEILER Craze" of the early 1990's. By the time she was only 6 months old, she was given away 3 times because "she wasn't mean". At the time I worked as a letter carrier and Annie was on my route. I paid $250.00 for her and snuck her back to my car in my mail truck. Annie was the best dog anyone could want. On vacations she would "babysit" my little neices and nephews. If they got too close to the lake, she would tug them back to a safe distance by pulling on their clothes.She and I would play a game I called "the freshie game" I would shake my finger at her and say, "You're fresh!" and she would leap around me barking and play snapping.
Annie had the best life a dog could want. She lived for 12 years and would probably have another 5 left if kidney failure didn't claim her. She didn't want to leave us in her final days so we had to help her to the Rainbow Bridge. I lay on the floor with her at the vet's office and whispered in her ear that it was OK to go. She went softly after the first tranquilizer was administered. She didn't even need the euthanesia shot. The last thing she heard was my voice telling her that I loved her and the last thing she saw was my face.
Annie, I miss you so much!
Love, your mommy

We can't say enough about Doogie...that boy knew how to take a country by storm! To see the page with the struggle and case to protect him, go to the Doogie page. Words from his foster mom, who loved him greatly: "I want to thank everyone for the presents Doogie received and all the well wishes. Please know he went very peacefully and on his own, he chose his time and was not in any noticeable pain. I hugged him and told him all the amazing stories about the bridge, about how people who have hurt him will suffer in the end, and about Tammy’s amazing love in refusing to give him back to an immediate death. He had almost 5 months with me, during which time we both learned so much about love." Donations were made in memory of Doogie by Sharon Cornett, Maureen Koplow, Constance O'Brien

Cyclone, I'm so sorry we lost you. I wish it could have all turned out differently for all of us. You deserved better than life on a chain, and I wish you could have had time to understand better what it takes to live with humans. I know it was not your fault, and I love you. Mom

You were our first rescue. An independent lady at age 14 and we loved you the minute we saw you. We wished our paths would have crossed sooner.

We do not need a special day to bring you to our minds. The days we do not think of you are very hard to find. Each morning when we awake we know that you are gone.

And no one knows the heartache as we try to carry on. Our hearts still ache with sadness and secret tears still flow. What it meant to lose you no one will ever know. Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill. In life we loved you dearly; in death we love you still.

There will always be a heartache, and often a silent tear. But always a precious memory of the days when you were here. If tears would make a staircase, and heartaches make a lane, We'd walk the path to heaven and bring you home again.
We hold you close within our hearts; and there you will remain, To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again. Our family chain is broken now, and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. ....Author Unknown

We will remember you with love always,
Mumma, Daddy, & The boys

Buford, along with 4 other dogs (3 other pits and 1 brittany spaniel mix), were kept in a basement for the better part of 5 years by their previous owner. Buford lived on a 4 foot chain to a workbench; the same chain that was so deeply embedded in his neck it looked like a part of his body.The dogs were surrendered to rescue after the owner decided they were just too much work, but he said "his love for them made him hold onto them so long."

Buford made many swift adjustments to our house; he began to love being touched, petted, hugged and overall cuddling. He gained weight and muscle, going from a skeleton to a healthy 70# boy.

On Friday January 26, 2007 our dear Buford lost his battle with cancer. Run free and play Buford. We will always love and miss you. In memory of Buford, a dogster pal: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/370991

Veronica Muse worked on Shadow's behalf for quite awhile, and was finally able to rescue her. She only had her for a few weeks before she passed on, but we're so grateful that Veronica was able to give her that time. Our 2006 Christmas Sponsor Dogs contributed to all Shadow's vet care and her grooming, and everyone was saddened to know she died. "She will be remembered, please keep fighting for dogs like her, so they get to know love, warmth, and happiness before they go. SHADOW - Forgive me for being too late to save you. All the times I stopped to see you on your chain I told you to hang on, I'm trying, I'll help you. You did hang in there girl. For a short time you were safe & warm & loved, at home with me. You had so much wrong from the neglect and abuse you went through, I know you stayed as long as you could. You were a wonderful beautiful dog and I'm grateful for having spent the little time I did with you. I know you will be in that special place with all my other dogs, and you will all be happy and safe together. Until the time comes that we meet again girl, you will be in my heart and thoughts always."—Love Mommy

He probably had a very good life till the time his master decided he was needed no more. Then he was chained in the backyard and left to die.

He did so early in March 2006 after spending a very harsh winter alone in the snow.

This is the plight of the dogs in Romania. They are expandible because numerous, treated with cruelty because the authorities do not care. Animal protection laws exist in Romania but only on paper. They were signed because they were needed to put Romania on the list of countries wanting to be accepted in the European Union.

Proof of that: the little dog belonged to a municipal alderman. The case was brought to us by a group of children who were seeing him every day on their way to school and tried to do something about it. They wrote letters to the owner but never got any answer. They tried to feed the little dog over the fence but he was too far away and the chain too short and could not reach the kibbles thrown to him.

Can you imagine what such a picture can do in the life of a compassionate child ? The plight of the Romanian strays is not only hard on the animals but also on the people who love them, fear for them and wish they could do something. The only help that will work will be coming from abroad. That is why we got involved in the first place.

Janine Larose, founder
Lost and Found Pet Network
www.rapt-lfpn.org
Quebec, Canada

April, 2006
In memory of Ken Anderson, CSU Petsitter Conferences
Thank you for your love and support of our rescued dogs.

April, 2005

You were with us only for 5 years. I wish so much it could have been longer. It's not the same coming home and you not waiting happily to see us. I hope you know how much we loved you. Miss you so much.

Romano family

Mar. 13 , 2005

In memory of our beloved shelter cat,Darla (Momma Mau): You haven't really been taken away. You have only gone with the Angels to play. You have been given wings with which to fly.

All your troubles have passed you by. Your life in heaven now must start. But we'll hold your memory in our hearts. Nothing about you will be forgotten. But now you'll sleep on clouds of cotton. Author Unknown

Our hearts are broken, Gwen, Delana, Jessica, Wendy, Michele, Mandy, Cindy, Vonda & Kelly

Sess, I never met a more intelligent or loyal dog. You appointed yourself my guardian, and guarded me fiercely from newcomer dogs even when you could no longer stand. You were lucky they respected your alpha male status just from the ferocity of your bark and didn't test your ability to carry through!

I'm so angry that someone kept you in a pen for 11 years. I'm only grateful they finally set you free to come to me all the way from Colorado.

If I had had the good fortune to know you from a pup, we would have been SO inseparable. Unfortunately I was granted only 1-1/2 years with you, and only one good year before cancer started taking it's toll. Still, you were MY dog, MY companion, and I'm so honored you chose me.

Thank you, Sess, for loving me even when I deserved it not. I will always have you in my heart, and you will remained immortalized as the Dogs Deserve Better doorhanger doggy. –Love, Mommy

Feb. 3, 2005
You were happy for a little while in your short, pain and fear filled life. You were loved and you loved back. Looking at your face when you were out playing.....it meant more than I can express with mere words.

You were beaten and tortured and made to endure the worst man can give. What I saw in your eyes when you hid behind me in fear and the chain completely embedded in your neck when you came here, was proof of what you had endured.

You didn't know how to play with the other dogs, you didn't know how to love me without almost knocking me down. But you tried so hard. You enjoyed the short time you had here with us more than any dog out I've known.

You did not forget but you let me into your life. You trusted ME. And, I let you slip past my self-imposed barrier of protection. I loved you and I will never forget you. You were special and will always be in my heart.

Rest in Peace, Chainey. You have earned it. You can run and play and bark and will never feel hunger, pain or fear again. You are free. Be happy and I'll see you at the Bridge. Try not to knock me down when you see me coming! Lisa Jones, Director, Country Paws Rescue, Inc

Lacee
March '04 - November '04
May heaven give you comfort and peace.
Donated by Michele Reynolds.

We thought of you with love today. But that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday. And days before that too. We think of you in silence. We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories. And your icture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake. With which we'll never part. God has you in his keeping. We have you in our heart.
Author: Unknown

Donated by The Schorno Family.

Sid was a true Australian Shepherd. Despite coming to us with tumors and fresh from being hit by a car, his will remained so strong! I remember taking him outside, hardly able to walk with the pin in his leg...I thought I didn't need a leash, because he couldn't get far. How wrong I was! He scooted right down over a steep bank and into the creek. I had to climb down and carry him out! —Tammy

From Melanie, foster Mom to Sid, who sponsored this tribute: I'm not very good at eulogies, but Sid touched Mike's and my heart forever. He truly was trying to make up for all those years of solitude and cuddled at every opportunity. We loved the old man and felt honored to receive his "lovin's" in the Sunset of his life. July 28, 2004 Sid moved on to his forever home. He made me part of this cause from the first moment I met him, because I knew he deserved much more than life attached to a chain by the bolts you see pictured here. No dog deserved that!

Sadie

Sadie passed from our lives on November 27, 2004. She was a beloved foster, rescued from a backyard in Altoona, PA in 2003. She was a pretty little girl with a sweet little face. She had such tiny paws, and I will certainly miss the click-click she made, readily distinguishable from the others, as she walked across the floor. Like a petite woman in high heels.

She had a typical Chow personality, standoffish until she got to know you. Once she loved me, I was 'in', and she regularly just came up and stood looking up at me for love, but never pushed for it. I loved to cuddle up with her little face! She trusted me.

She came in from a backyard in Altoona, PA at the age of 12 with a huge mammary tumor, which we removed, and then later had to have emergency surgery as she wasn't spayed and her uterus became infected. She survived both of those to live another year with us, and we were blessed to have her in our lives. She died as a result of cancer. I know she was happy and grateful, she showed me her quiet gratitude every day! —Tammy, $35 lovingly donated by "Friends of Galveston County Texas Animal Shelter", thank you!

It is with more sadness than I can express that I write that Leroy, my 18-20 mo old pit/shep mix foster was sent to the Rainbow Bridge Saturday morning, Aug. 21, due to complications from distemper.

When he came to my house in Dec. 2003 we didn't think he would make it. One vet recommended we put him down at that time, but our group (PAL) decided he deserved a chance, because he had probably never known love. He came to us in November, with a wound around his neck from being tied up probably his whole life until he escaped and wandered into the yard of the people who brought him to our adoption event.

Leroy was a very wonderful dog, who had blossomed under the loving care he was given in my home. The whole family loved him dearly. He loved to play with several of his foster siblings. He was very good with the children and was a great cuddler. He loved food of all kinds but really loved watermelon & several other kinds of fruits and vegetables.
—Dianne Wood

Cody

This is my beloved Cocker Spaniel, Cody, who died May 4, 2002. It has taken me over a year and 1/2 to come to grips with his death and to allow myself to even view his face on any "memorial."

My beloved Cody: We experienced a tremendous amount in the 11 years and 4 months we shared: A marriage, your 2 ear surgeries, a divorce, a 2nd marriage, living in two separate states, residing in 6 completely different homes. You were by my side through the best and worst of times. You were my life. Part of my soul died on May 4, 2002...... Rest Peacefully My Precious Boy, we shall be together again! Michele

Butch

Butch, You stood tall with elegance and grace. You believed that I walked on water, when, it was you who were majestic and awe-inspiring! No one ever told you that being 95 lbs was rather big to be a lap dog. Having you nestled in my lap, oblivious to the world and trusting me to love and care for you, gave me so much happiness and peace. I miss you! Rest peacefully my "Big Boy", for God will reunite us someday.
Your Mommy

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