Author Archives: Mary E Taylor-Mattox

Dear AFH….  I am a big fan of your organization, and have adopted a couple dogs from you over the years….  Emily….cared for Ovie ….until he became ill with an aggressive form of bone cancer.  We had to send him over the rainbow bridge on Dec. 23.  My Vet was unable to come to him when the time came, so we called Peaceful Passage, who sent a wonderful vet to us and helped Ovie pass at home.  He was 14 years old, and was a wonderful protector/pet/soother to Emily for all of those years.  Ovie was dog aggressive, but got along with his pal Holtby (seeing a name pattern here?), and didn’t get along with a lot of people, but those of us he loved, he loved fiercely.  He was a wonderful dog, and I am glad my daughter had him and his loyalty for so long.  I am sure that when she is ready to look for a pal for Holtby ( a stray found along the side of I270), she will come to you guys first.  Thank you for all that you do.

It’s with the deepest pain imaginable that I notify you of the passing of my only son, best friend and companion. There are no words to express my sadness and desolation, I miss him every second 24/7. I adopted Nugget from AFH March 8, 2010. He was the Alfa of the twelve puppies named after the California Gold Rush litter fostered by Marilyn Christensen. 

Thanks again for allowing me to take care of wonderful Nugget!!! 😭

We adopted Caroline (kept her original name) from AFH in February 2012 when she was 10 weeks old.  Our daughter Tara (7 at that time) picked her out of the litter and just fell in love.  Caroline quickly had us all wrapped around her paw and quickly became the ruler of the house.  Shortly after we adopted her our daughter became ill, for which we later found out she had brain cancer.  Caroline knew that Tara needed her and would be right there with her when she wasn’t feeling well.  She let Tara use her as her pillow and stayed by her side throughout it all.  We later added another dog to our family and Caroline quickly took over the mother role and showed Annie the ropes on how to do things.  Shortly before Caroline turned 10 (11/20/2011)  her back hips gave out and she was no longer able to move on her own.  So with heavy hearts we had to let her cross the rainbow bridge on 11/22/2021.  We miss her so very much but know she is no longer in pain.  Thank you to AFH for bringing Caroline into our family.