LOVING MEMORY OF
Marie Bonsack
1929 - 1999
Marie Bonsack
1929 - 1999
Founder of Sheltie Rescue St. Louis
Marie was tireless in her efforts and devotion to Shelties. Her fund raising efforts, countless hours on the phone, providing foster care, nurturing the sick, grooming the neglected, screening for new homes, and chauffering services for shelties in need were instrumental in keeping Sheltie Rescue running.
We miss you, Marie
Marie Bonsack at a reunion picnic with "Andy" whom she fostered when he was a puppy. Andy, his 3 littermates and his mother had been abandoned.
"Not An Angel"
The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.
The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!"
The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path."
"But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.
Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. After the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed it's head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.
The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered.
"No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked rescue."
- author unknown -
Teddie was a tricolor female about 11 or 12 years old. She had been used in a puppy mill operation for many years, and was then discarded to run on the streets. She was picked up by a shelter and made her way to Sheltie Rescue through Sally Davenport. Tracy Buck fostered Teddie. Teddie accepted bathing and brushing and toenail clipping without a wimper. Even through it was obvious it was all foreign to her; even when she was in pain due to arthritis and bad teeth, she was a brave little soul.
After several weeks of work, Teddie would venture out of her crate and creep into the living room for a treat of popcorn. After spending another five weeks in an obedience class, Teddie still would not make eye contact or interact with people. Teddie's health declined rapidly from so many years of neglect, and infections ravished her little body. Unfortunately, Tracy had to make the tough decision to have Teddie euthanized to make room for another more adoptable dog. Teddie was very much loved the last weeks of her life. During that time, she reveled in the warmth of a house, good food to eat, and a fluffy bed to lie on.
"Teddie, play well my friend, now free of pain and the misery that was your life. You were loved." -- Tracy Buck
"Hope" was rescued from a puppy mill. She developed a cough and stopped eating. When she was x-rayed, we discovered she had advanced lung cancer. Unfortunately, we had to send Hope to the Rainbow Bridge on 7/14/00. Hope enjoyed five weeks of love and devotion with her foster parents, Pat and Denny. We all grew to love this brave little dog, who is now in a loving place where there is no suffering. Pat and Denny requested Hope's ashes -- she now has her forever home in the hearts of her foster parents.
"Heather" -- 10/12/01 -- We discovered an inoperable tumor about the size of a grapefruit in Heather's abdominal cavity during her spay this morning. It had 'fingers' that were spread around her various organs, and it would have soon affected her large intestine, interferring with elimination. In addition, one of her lymph nodes was enlarged. We never woke her up from the anesthesia, and she was euthanized early this morning. Please say a prayer for her, and for Pat and Theresa, who I know came to love her in the short time that she was with them. Heather got to experience much love and kindness in the time that she spent with them, and with the kind people at Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic.
"Bucky" came to us very sick and emaciated. He had coccidia and an upper respiratory infection. After being quarantined for a week, and not responding to antibiotics, he was tested for distemper. Unfortunately, his test came back positive. His weak little body could no longer fight off such a deadly viral infection, and he had to be euthanized. Bucky was a little love-bug right up to the end, and stole the hearts of all his caregivers. When Janice would visit him at the vet hospital during his confinement, she always got a little tail wag in greeting. She would walk Bucky outside and Bucky would turn his little face to the sun's warmth and explore his surroundings. He l oved to be groomed, and Janice cut and brushed all the matts and filth out of his fur.
If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. - Unknown
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. - Unknown
"Our "Cover Girl" of the 2004 calendar has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge". She spent her birthday (2/14) at the Emergency Animal Clinic. Her health declined very rapidly. When I would visit and sit with her, all I could do was cry and repeat, "it's her birthday". She was tuff, and made it till the early morning hours of Sunday. She brightened my every day, and I am so glad she is able to do the same for others as our Calendar girl." ~~ Steven
Sheba was a puppymill rescue adopted by Steven three years ago.
July 29, 1995 - February 13, 2004
Lassie was a beautiful little guy that weighed in at a whopping 17 pounds. His two favorite things in the world were eating and going for walks in the park. He was very full of love and for every kiss that you gave him, he had two in return for you! About 2 months ago Lassie developed a cough, and as the weeks went by seemed to be losing a lot of his energy. After taking him to the vet, we found that he had an enlarged heart and a big mass (shadow) in his chest which was thought to be cancer. Within the next few months he had his good days and bad days until his final week when he stopped eating. Sadly, on February 13th, 2004 he had to go to Rainbow Bridge way before his time -- he was only 7-1/2 years old. Within the 2-1/2 years that we spent together we gave each other a lifetime of happy memories full of love. We'll always miss his warm greetings when we got home from work, his "Sheltie shuffle" when it was time to go potty and the way his eyebrows crinkled up when he was trying to perfect the art of begging goodies, among so many other things. I told him to wait for us at the Bridge, and I know he will. He'll live in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, my friend. ~ Danyelle Heinz ~
Gracie Girl adopted me in July of 1995 from Second Chance Sheltie Rescue. She was a six-year old tri who had been turned in by her owners. Interestingly enough, she had the same markings as my full-sized tri collie who had recently died. It looked like “Honey, I shrunk the dog.” She was a dainty little miss who almost pranced on her tiptoes. She adjusted immediately to me and her new home. At some time in her past, she must have been mistreated, since she would never let anyone walk behind her,
Submitted in honor of Gracie Girl by Rose Mary Green
"Chances Rainbow Run for the Roses"
"Rose" 1991 - 2004
Beloved Sheltie girl of Dick and Betty Nemeth. Rose is the blue merle Sheltie pictured with Marie at the top of this page.
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Graphics and clip art used throughout our website courtesy of the following talented artists:
Clan Duncan Shelties Sheltie Freak Tribute to Dog Fuzzy Faces Sandy's Graphics Holiday Graphics |
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