In Memory

Hi, I believe I may have reached out to you awhile ago. I adopted my little girl from you 15 years ago. You called her Ebbe; I named her Salsa. She was my best friend, but I had to say goodbye to her exactly a year ago. Thanks so much for bringing Salsa into my life. I loved her more than I can say.

Hello there, It is with very sad news that I let you know that our A Forever Home baby Rocky (formerly known as Miles, a pup of Merle’s) passed away recently quite suddenly and far too soon. While the cause of death will never be known for sure, the emergency vet who treated Rocky, along with a veterinary neurologist, suspect he had an undiagnosed brain tumor. Our family is devastated by the loss of Rocky– he was truly the perfect family dog and a best friend to everyone in our family, including our other rescue, Jupiter.

Warmly, Sarah

Good evening,

You probably don’t remember me, but I volunteered with AFH back in like 2005-2008 time frame. We adopted three dogs from you, as well as fostered dozens more.  Two of the dogs we adopted are in the photos below, and I’m writing because sadly they both passed away in the last couple months.

Timber, the chocolate lab, was 14! He was the most beautiful boy, an amazing hunting partner for seven seasons, and the best family dog. He had come from a family in West Virginia and he had AKC papers and the whole nine yards, but the original family bought off more than they could chew.  Lucky us! He passed away peacefully last June because he had developed a large tumor that was at severe risk of rupturing and bleeding internally.

Pearl, my cattle dog, was my little shadow and came to us by chance. This is a story that Carmen May remember. Before Pearl we had another cattle dog mix that was tragically hit by a car when she was two in May 2006 names Scout. I was completely heartbroken and It was one of the worst experiences of my life.  We continued fostering and I finally told Carmen a couple months later that I wasn’t quite ready, but that my husband and I would want to adopt another cattle dog, and that we wanted a female puppy and would she please keep an eye out? I’ll never forget what she told me.  She said “well if you want a puppy, they usually come in litters.  You’ll have to commit to fostering the whole litter because ACD puppies are a giant pain and none of the other volunteers will do it.”  Then she went on to say “and be ready because now that you’ve got me looking, I’m sure I’ll find it right away.” That was on the weekend at the adoption fair.  Then Carmen called me on Monday and said she had found a single female cattle dog puppy in West Virginia.  I kind of freaked out because we still weren’t over Scout. So I said we would foster this puppy and… the rest was history.  Pearl was by my side every day for almost 14 years, through three babies and a move overseas and back. Pearl passed away last month, Seven months after her constant companion Timber.

We miss them both terribly but so it goes with pets.  You know it’s the deal going in that chances are you’ll have to say goodbye to them. These two enriched our lives for 14 years and for that and for your role in it, I’m eternally grateful.

All the best, Allison

PS Let me know if you come across any female cattle dog puppies.  Seriously!

So sorry to report that my sweet girl Lady Vol cross the rainbow bridge yesterday I fostered her for a few months and then realized I myself would also become a foster failure when I adopted her When she was brought in to AFH her name was Baby She also was affectionately known as money pit I renamed her Lady Vol after the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team She was my heart and she always will be

Hello, We said goodbye to our best buddy Murphy on October 2, 2019. Fourteen years ago he rescued us after we lost our beloved Molly (another rescue doggie), my husband’s Grandma and my Father within a two month period. He raised our pre-teen son and teenage son into men, providing constant love and support to our family. He literally was our therapy dog. He sensed any anxiety and quickly took matters into his own paws to relieve it by wazzling, head butting, “talking,” or just quietly sitting with us. He also was a great mentor to other dogs, guiding and correcting puppies into wonderful doggies. To the very end, he was there for us, stoic to a fault about pain. When he finally let go, he was at peace, he was comfortable, and he went out as a polite gentleman. We adopted our “therapy dog” Murphy from A Forever Home November of 2005. Ken and Cynthia

Just wanted to let you know that my last afh dog has passed away and she has left such a hole in my heart but she was absolutely full of life when she was here. She was 13 years old.

Jay

On a sad note, we lost our beloved Cody the first week of September.  He was 15.  We knew he was winding down, but he had a catastrophic event.  We rushed him to Dr. Tohill but knew the compassionate  choice for Cody was to let him go.  He was an amazing boy.  We had adopted him from Forever Home and his name was Steve. Attached is a Santa  photo with both boys the year my husband and I helped with the photos at Pet Smart in Chantilly.  Getting the photo of Scooter with Santa meant lot to us, so thank you.

Warm regards, Donna

Hi, I’ve been putting off sending this email, but I know I really need to. We adopted Rose, and we renamed her Arwin. Back in 2004, my husband I were just married and had just bought out first house. He had grown up with dogs, and I had always wanted one. I knew we definitely wanted to rescue, and I’d always wanted a Siberian husky. My little sister had adopted a sweet puppy from AFH the year prior, and when we checked out the site, lo and behold there was a beautiful, blue-eyed, black n white, 9 month, Siberian husky. When we met her, we immediately fell in love with her attitude and energy.

When Arwin joined our family, she helped us unpack in the new house by using the boxes to show us just how high she could jump. Over the next few years, she ensured there was never a dull day. She loved to run circles in the grass behind our house and watch the neighborhood from our bay window. (When we walked her, the neighbors would refer to her as the dog from the window!) She taught us all about how huskies are escape artists when she toured Centreville for hours but returned home to us when she was ready. She knew how to open our pantry, as evidenced by the 30 Milkbones we found her hoarding in her crate. Most of all, she loved to remind us that while we lived there, she was owned the place.

She helped me lose 30 lbs on daily 4.5 mile walks. I think the neighborhood thought we were crazy because I’d talk to her about my day and she’d tell me about hers. She took her big sister role seriously when we brought home our daughter in 2008 and then adopted a three year old husky (Jasper) in 2012. She always reminded them, and us, that she was the leader through her “ahh wooo woo woos” as she followed us throughout the house to explain her dissatisfaction with something as small as changing out the pillows on the couch.

From the day we brought her home, she was an integral part of building our family. Even in her last year, as she was getting older and slower, she remained headstrong and still had bursts of puppy-like energy. On August 22nd, we lost the most stubborn, grumpy, dramatic, independent, quirky, makes-you-jealous-because-your-eyeliner-will-never-look-so-good, lovable husky. She was 15 and a half, and she was perfect.

Good Afternoon it is with heavy heart, I report my Casey Mae which I adopted back in 2007. Casey was my best friend  and I loved her until the end. She, started having seizures and went home on September 28th. I am forever grateful for the time I spent with her and I’m sad without her. 

Hi Mary and AFH,

We Adopted Olivia (purebred boxer; mother to Sarge and some other puppies that were also at the Rescue) on February 27, 2011.  Olivia was the best pup we could ever have asked for!  Since welcoming her into our family, she became a big sister to a little human sister (2014) and little human brother (2015).  Olivia adored her little humans.  She slept next to both cribs during their infancies and alternated sleeping in their beds when they got older. 

Olivia was always at the door to greet us with her wiggly little boxer butt when we got home from work.  She loved playing in the backyard, snuggling on the couch, and eating!  She was there to console us through some very difficult times.  The only complaint to ever come out of her mouth was when we weren’t moving fast enough to get her breakfast or dinner into her bowl.  Olivia had numerous humans that loved her and she loved them. 

Olivia was protective and playful.  She was everything we wanted and needed in a puppy companion!  Sadly, on Monday, December 2, 2019, Olivia passed away unexpectedly.  The four of us were with her hugging her, petting her, and telling her how much we loved her.  It was been extremely difficult for my husband and I, as she was our first baby, but our children are taking it the hardest.  They both adored her.  Since they could walk, they both would help feed her and give her treats.  Our daughter had started holding her leash on walks, and was more than eager to help with her.  They ask about her daily looking for reassurance that Olivia is watching over us from Heaven.  Olivia was a huge part of our lives and now that piece is missing leaving behind a huge void. 

Olivia accompanied us on many vacations to the beach, including this past summer to the Outer Banks.  She LOVED the beach!  She was included in our annual Christmas card, which always starred her and the kids.  This year, we took our picture on Dec. 1, not knowing it would be the last.  I have attached 3 pictures- 2 from the beach and our last Christmas photo.

I would have notified you sooner, but writing this letter has been extremely difficult.  I want to thank you for giving us the chance to be the parents to the most amazing dog.  I had dreamed for years of having a boxer after growing up with a boxer mix.  I’ll never forget the day I first saw Olivia when she ran to the door barking at me at her foster house.  She was beautiful and her personality was AMAZING!  There will never be a dog quite like her.  I wish we had more time with her. 

Sincerely,

Sara

It is with great sadness and breaking heart that Jewels who we adopted from you in June 2006 at the Petco at Greenbrier in Fairfax when she was 6 months old has passed.  We loved her so so so much. This is my favorite picture of her a few years ago.

With Woody being in so much pain from being old (rescued him from Janet’s Rescue in Woodbridge in Sept 2005 when he was 3 months old) We decided to relieve him from his pain so they could go together.  This is what they looked like when we adopted them.  and a few weeks ago.

Max passed away at 745am this morning. He tried but it was too much.  His large intestine flipped over his small intestine and formed a knot. The vet performed surgery but it was too much for him. We will miss him.  Mara

Hi Carmen!

I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that my sweet Sophie passed away last week.  I can’t even begin to say what she meant to me – and she truly changed the trajectory of my life, with both my law firm and with dog training.  I miss her more than I can say!  I thought I would share a couple of my favorite photos of her with you. Thank you so much for bringing her into my life! All the best, Heidi

I got Tess when she was just a puppy in foster care. I was only a freshmen in high school and I begged my father for her as my birthday gift that year. That year 2008, I got my best friend. I took prom pictures, graduation pictures, my first car and more with her. She was always right by my side. Sadly Tess was diagnosed with a very rare mouth cancer, and ended up passing away late September of 2019 at just 11 years old from internal bleeding that we are still not sure as to if it was cause by the chemo or the cancer. Thank you A Forever Home for introducing me to my forever best friend, well meet one day again over the rainbow bridge 🌈❤

In September of 2008, we adopted our beloved dog Keely from A Forever Home.S he recently passed away…some time. Keely was the best dog ever born and we miss her terribly! Attached should be a picture of her in one of her favorite locations,
soaking up the sun in a dining room chair.

It is my very sad duty to let you know that sweet Duff…crossed the Rainbow Bridge..I have the great privilege of his company since June of 2017. Every day with him was a joy. He had been in and out of homes for a good bit of his life and I vowed he had found his forever home. He was a bit over 13 and a half, and I did my best to make sure that every day he lived with me, he wanted for nothing, especially affection and attention. He lived with his “brother”, a Bichon poodle named Cullen. They became friends almost from the moment I got Duff out of my car when I brought him home. Duff and Cullen often napped snuggled next to each other. Duff was always looking for my company and was always to be found near me. He slept as close to me as he could. He never missed a meal and loved squeaky toys and balls. He got sick very suddenly; the vets believe he might have had a tumor brewing for awhile but hid it until could not any longer. He was in my arms and it was peaceful and fast- he was ready. There will never be a sweet soul like him. I am grateful to AFH for letting him live with me. 

Regards, Kelly 

In 2011, we adopted a scruffy, happy dog named Tenchi from A Forever Home.  He was 5 years old at the time and had apparently had a disagreement with his family’s toddler.  We’re so glad his former family allowed him to be re-homed.  We had no toddlers – just 4 kids who loved this dog.  We had no desire to have a puppy.  Tenchi was smart, well trained and a perfect match for our family.  He loved treats and walks and chasing bunnies and retrieving dirty socks.  Several years ago, while watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, we spotted a dog that looked just like him.  We decided that he must be mostly Portuguese Podengo.

Unfortunately, his big heart gave out. He still wanted to be 5 years old but at 13, congestive heart failure was causing him too much distress.  We helped him cross the bridge to the land of endless bunnies and dirty socks.  It was the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do.

Thank you A Forever Home for giving us this wonderful dog.  He was loved and will be missed.

The Meyer Family

Hello, first of all I would like to say thank you to A Forever Home for allowing me to foster then adopt my sweet girl Charlotte. She was one of many dogs rescued 10 years ago from a puppy mill in Missouri. She had lived her first five years in deplorable conditions without love and kindness until a kind women rescued about 100 dogs and A Forever Home agreed to bring them to Virginia for a chance to live a normal life. She was my first rescue/foster dog and I can honestly say she was the most broken soul I had ever seen. The first three days she would only let me hold her and cringed at any movement. She was underweight with horrible teeth and skin. I ended up adopting her and can honestly say it as the best decision I ever made. Over the 10 years since then, she lived a wonderful life filled with love and kindness. Although she had baggage that stayed with her she learned to be loved and give love in return. Everyone that met her over the years were so impressed with her ability to look at the bright side of things. She taught patience and understanding to my family but most importantly she brought so much joy to our lives. The last several years were hard for her. She had a horrible heart, IBD, Chiari Malformation, and at the end liver cancer and seizures. Through all that she fought each battle with courage and determination and all her doctors were amazed that a tiny 11 pound girl had so much strength and made it through so many hurdles. At the end I had promised her and myself that she would never suffer as she did in her first five years and made the heartbreaking decision to let her go with arms wrapped around her and love in my heart. I miss her more than words can express but I am so glad I was chosen to be her mom for 10 years.

Judi M

Our family adopted our dear Drew from A Forever Home in October 2005 when he was about 2 years old (as seen in this picture).  Drew would lay in my arms like a baby but did not want to be left alone so we got him a brother.  Drew loved his brother very much and was much happier, I could tell they played tag when all the pillows were not where they were!  We had to do the hardest thing a parent could do on June 26, 2019 and pray he is in peace.  We loved him very much.

Mary Ellen, I’m so, so sorry to let you know that Bill crossed the rainbow bridge today. Long story short, in May, Bill was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering from seizures.  The seizures continued to get worse and worse. He was such a good boy and we loved him and are so, so sorry his life ended so soon. Thank you for helping us find him.  We will miss him always.
-Cindy