Submitted by the ones who miss them
Great sadness accompanies this letter, yet I need to tell you about a Great collie adopted nearly ten years ago.
Pixly
July 19, 2009 we adopted Pixly, who came all the way from Iowa to our home in northern Illinois. The amazing foster mom from MWCR drove over two hours to a 1/2-way point to make the introduction to us and our other collie, Rosebud. She knew very well that we were likely to complete the adoption right there, having been approved by local representatives of Collie Rescue. He bonded immediately with Rosebud and with us, and the journey home began. Pixly was unwilling to remain in the ‘way back’ part of the wagon, oh no: over the seat, next to the kids, head on the armrest and giving directions. That was our first day. What a smart boy. What a sweet boy.
Every day was full of the love and joy that is unique to collies: loud, enthusiastic announcements when anyone would return home, boisterous play followed by intense sleep, respectful walking with the older Rosebud. Pixly made me into his very own human, and made sure everyone knew it. When Rosebud passed, at nearly 14 years of age, we truly thought that we would be a one-dog family. That changed when we met Mavis, a smooth tri-color, through Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois. Pixly recognized, as we did, that Mavis was a work in progress, a real rescue. He helped bring her out of her shell, learn to love, taught her how to play, even. What a smart, sweet boy.
Just as in the song “The Circle Game”, the seasons turned so quickly, with kids going to college and graduate school, and Pixly and Mavis being there as an anchor for them to return to. Pixly maintained a terrific sense of humor, always giving us reasons to laugh, even as his mobility became challenged. Suddenly, we’re looking at a 13+ year-old collie with left leg pain and lost function. Last night he was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor, and to relieve his suffering we had no good choice other than to ask the vet to give him a graceful exit. His final breath was in my arms as I wished him Godspeed and great success in Heaven.
Ironically, the last 24 hours have been hell for us: the suddenness of his decline, the self-doubt, the bargaining and finally the acceptance that his work on this earth was complete. Such a sweet boy.
We are forever grateful to MWCR for making the introduction of Pixly to us. He was our first adoption, and we will definitely adopt another in due time. I will always love him, and miss terribly the sight and sound of our love puppy. Thank you for the tireless work that you do, to bring these deserving dogs into the right forever home!
Sparky
We lost our beloved Sparky last night. He was the best dog. Sweet, loving, smart, gentle. Everything and more that a collie should be. Our hearts are broken but I want to share Sparky’s story – at least the last seven years since we adopted him.
It was pure chance that in early summer 2012 I came across his photo on an adoption website. Without Scott’s knowledge, I reached out about adopting him. A wonderful hound rescuer, Roberta R. Beach (Bobbie Beach), had welcomed him in to her hound pack, Silverwalk Fosters. He was four years old, intact and being from the Missouri bootheel area, heart worm positive.
Bobbi was working behind the scenes to get him into the amazing Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue. Through their support, Sparky was neutered and underwent treatment for heart worms.
I finally had to tell Scott that we needed to go check out this purebred collie that needed a home. We drove to Cape Giraudeau with Heart to meet Sparky. Never a fan of car rides, Heart was probably just glad to be out of the car by that point. Obviously, the introduction went well. And we arranged to have Bobbi come do a home inspection. On August 12, Bobbi brought him to us and he officially became a much loved member of our family. What a sweet, smart boy!
The years have flown by much too quickly – filled with all the love and joy that is unique to collies: loud, enthusiastic barking, boisterous play with Heart and later Tiller, followed by deep sighs and intense sleep, gentle walks with Scott in the neighborhood with everyone stopping to tell him what a handsome, sweet boy he was.
Our grandkids have been blessed to have had Sparky here to greet them and love them. Tiller has had the benefit of his mischievousness (stealing Tiller’s favorite furrballz and prancing around victoriously), as well as letting Tiller know when he was out of line and needed to mind his manners. Heart has had a vocal teammate who helped her make sure that their flock was always safe and our yard secure.
It is a bit surreal – this happened so suddenly. In a little over a day, he was gone. He just turned 11 and we still had to get his birthday cake and treats. It just started with a cough, but one that wouldn’t stop. It reached the point where he couldn’t get comfortable, couldn’t get enough air.
Last night he was diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax, and up until the very end, he remained the sweet, loyal gentleman, the perfect collie! To relieve his suffering we had to say good bye. Scott and I were there to wish him Godspeed and great success in Heaven. Because we know that “All dogs go to Heaven.”
In Sparky’s memory, always, always, always give your dogs heart worm preventive.
Special thanks to MWCR for the tireless work that they do for this incredible breed, caring for collies in need till they find their forever families.
Much love to our friend Bobbi, who found a gentle, smart collie in need and helped him all those years ago.
And finally to Sparky, thank you sweet boy for your love and devotion. You are missed!
Sadie
Lovely Sadie, adopted in April 2007, passed away Saturday June 22, 2019. Sadie was born August 20, 2004 and we are thankful to you for giving us the opportunity to be part of her life. She was greatly loved and we are fortunate to of had her in our lives.
