In Memory

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

We adopted “Sundae” Vivian in 2004. Sadly she passed in December 2018. She was probably the last remaining dog in her litter and enjoyed a long happy life. This included trips to our beach house which she loved and lots of walks. 

It is with great pain and sorrow that I write to inform you of the death of Rufus, Daddy Good Boy, best friend and loyal companion. He passed aweay in my arms Monday morning,July 1, 2019 at approxiately 4 a.m. Yesterday would have been his 8th birthday. He died of Dilated Cardio Myopathy. He was dianosed in Mid-May and I was informed that his life expectancy was about 6-9 months…Thank you to everyone at A Forever Home for letting him be a part of my life and me a part of his. He was loved by everyone….He went everywhere with me and we were inseparable.

Thank you,
Steve 

We are sad to report that we received a very sad message from one of our adopters. Their dog Nala, one of Angel’s 12 puppies, passed away, leaving only one surviving sibling, Tinkerbell.

Angel was a Husky who lived her whole life on a chain until she broke loose and ended up at a shelter, very ill, thin, and pregnant. At AFH, we nursed her back to health before she gave birth to 12 beautiful puppies. Sadly, they soon began to pass away. We eventually learned that they had contracted Parvo II in utero which damaged their hearts. The few that survived past 8 weeks of age were expected to pass away before they ever got to a year of age. Despite this horrible prognosis, a number kind, brave families chose to adopt them anyway.

Nala’s family was one of those who decided to take their pup home despite the likely outcome. They did all they could for her–she regularly saw a cardiologist and had been taking heart medicine. Sweet Nala passed away at only 2 1/2 years old. Even though she beat the odds, her story is so heartbreaking. We are so grateful to Nala’s family and the others who chose to love their pups anyway, knowing sadness would just be around the corner.

Hello,

In 2008 I adopted Lucky, a 1.5 year old black shepherd mix, from your organization. He was originally named Roger. I’m sad to report that he passed away last week, just a month shy of his 12th birthday. Lucky was a happy and loving companion who brought me a lot of joy in the 11 years that he was with me. Thank you so much for finding him for me. 

Sincerely, Virginia

Hello friends at A Forever Home,

My name is Sue.  In 2005, my family and I adopted Roxy at a forever home event in Chantilly.  You called her Nola, but we renamed her Roxy.  I cannot thank you enough for hosting that event and giving us the chance to have Roxy in our lives.  Sadly, Roxy crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Monday, 20 May.  She brought so much joy to our lives and I cannot imagine how life would have been without her – certainly not as loving, fun and exciting!  … I included a photo of my little love bug – she truly meant the world to us.

Thank you so very much for all you do.

All the best,

Roxy’s family

Sue and Sonny, and Kelsey.

In early February of 2013, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting a very shy yet extremely cute dog named Kooper.  With his tongue hanging out due to only have one tooth, we decided to adopt him immediately as we perceived that he would be a great companion for us.  Kooper captured us in his own, unique way.  He went from being so shy at first to becoming very comfortable in his new surroundings.  He accomplished tremendous feats such jumping to and from the couch, learning to go up and down the stairs, and even becoming bilingual.  🙂

Always a fighter, Kooper showed great courage as he endured a couple of difficult surgeries and came through like a champion.  A true mark of a warrior, he became an example of gentle toughness.  We always admired how he never complained, not once, yet he seemed so happy and appreciative of his new home and his new family.

Sadly, Kooper crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on July 29, 2019.  He gave us so much love, joy, and wonderful memories.  Kooper became the best companion we could have ever hoped for.

What a blessing it has been to share our lives with our beloved Kooper.  See you on the other side of the bridge our dear Kooper papa.

Francisco & Marxi

In 2004, we had recently lost our 17 year old Lab. My children wanted another dog. We attended a Forever Home adoption event at Petco in the Greenbriar Shopping Center. A litter of 11 puppies were up for adoption. They were a Lab/Weimer mix.  There was a crowd and many of the puppies went quickly. We strolled over to where the puppies left were in their enclosure. I asked if they had a male and female. My children were each given a puppy and they said “we’re not putting them down,” So fifteen years later, Archie and Rhonda, brother and sister were two playful, mischievous, rambunctious, large lap dogs who enriched our lives. They were a huge part of our family and will be missed. They passed away peacefully in April and May.

This was their favorite spot to lay on and be with each other

We adopted Rosco in the spring of 2007.  Mike and I were newlyweds; Rosco was our first shot at parenting.

From the start he was pure joy.  A tiny little guy, best guess at his grown weight was 35 lbs (he topped out at 125!), he was afraid to go down stairs.  We had to pick him up to carry him down our condo steps.  Rosco was a bright fella.  Would ring “Santa Bells” to let us know he needed to go potty. 

Our little family had some ups and downs, our constant was Rosco and his love for us.  He always knew how to comfort us and be the best friend anyone could ever hope for.

When Rosco became a “big brother” to our daughter Vivian, his life revolved around her.  He oversaw anyone who held her, changed her, or walked her.  He was her “Manny”, protector, playmate, dress-up partner, and selfless best friend.

Sadly as he became older, Rosco’s arthritis became uncomfortable.  We tried swimming, acupuncture, laser therapy, medication.  This is what ultimately made his life get cut short.  On May 23, 2019 at 1:37 p.m., Rosco took his last breath.  This was the most difficult decision in our life.  Rosco left this world and entered the next.

 We love you, Rosco.  Every single day our hearts are full of sorrow, for we miss you so very much.  

Michael, Erin and Vivian

On Saturday we said goodbye to our sweet Fabrizio. We’re all so very heartbroken, but had a wonderful 12 years with him. With his trademark underbite shark teeth, bat ears, skunk tail and alligator legs, this dog was 1 in a million. He loved prancing, rolling in the grass, laying in the sun, playing with the biggest dogs around, stealing food from his brothers and leading the pack at doggie daycares, earning him the nickname “little Napoleon”. He never met a lap he didn’t want to sleep on, a treat he wouldn’t sit for, and knew every day at 5:30 like clockwork it was dinner time. He protected his brothers every night, cried every time daddy came home from deployments, and has been my shadow through over a decade of heartache, laughter and transitions. From the second I laid on eyes on him in a rainy parking lot, I knew we were meant to be best friends. He taught us all so much about unconditional love, and we can only hope he felt it, too. It just isn’t the same coming home and not seeing his furry little face through the window, waiting for us sitting (illegally) on top of the couch. We’re sure going to miss our baby. ❤️🐶
Thank you! 
Hilary 

Forever in Our Hearts

We adopted Lyla and Lola through your organization in 2006. Lola died at
8 and Lyla recently died at 12. They started in an apartment with two
single 20s girls and then eventually became part of our growing families.
They were such sweet and smart souls. They will forever be in our hearts
and we think of them daily. 

Hello friends,

Scupper was a lovely, adult foxhound mix that you were so kind to have connected us with in 2013. Scupper passed away unexpectedly in February of this year, and while our hearts are broken he gave us so much joy. He was the best boy…

…Please let me know how I can help. I/we will always thank you for connecting us with precious Scupper.

Thank you,

Amy

Hello, Back in 2010, my boyfriend Aaron and I had the great fortune to adopt Bart, who we renamed Otis, from A Forever Home (Kathy, copied here was his foster mum).  Today it is with heavy hearts  that Aaron and I write to you. Last night we had to say goodbye to Otis as the cancer he had took it’s toll and it was time. We had a fantastic nine years with him.  He was the most amazing, silly, sweet, and loving dog.  We will miss him greatly.  Thank you again for allowing us to adopt our little man who was the best dog we could have asked for. 

Jenn & Aaron 

Hello,

I just want to say thank you to A Forever Home for allowing my grandparents to adopt Toby back in 2011. He filled all of our hearts with so much love and joy. Toby was diagnosed with a stage four kidney disease about a year or so ago. He was always trying to play with his little brother and smiling up until his last day.

Toby was a rock for many in the family when we his older sisters passed on. The only time I saw Toby sad was after he lost his sister Lady, but he pushed through and started sleeping in Lady’s spot to protect my grandfather. Once they adopted his younger brother, Skylar, Toby started acting like a puppy and teaching Skylar how to be a good boy. 

Toby loved playing soccer, chasing squirrels, and running in circles around the house squeaking his toys. He will be missed greatly by the entire family. 

Thank you

Lane wrote to tell us about losing her beloved Daisy. All of us at AFH extend our condolences on her loss.

We decided to put Daisy down today after a long fight with cancer.  

She was diagnosed with a spleen tumor a year ago, a number of fatty tumors and then an awful skin mast cell tumor.  But she endured it all.  The cancer must have spread this last few weeks she was unable to eliminate more than a few drops of urine at a time.  She was obviously in pain no matter how hard she fought to hide it with her smile.

We adopted her from your organization in November 2014 when she was 7yrs old.  My daughter and I trick-or-treated at her foster mom’s house and she was wearing her “adopt-me” vest.  My daughter fell in love and was ready to take her as a “treat” that night 🙂

We adopted Jamie through A Forever Home 15 years ago.  She had a long, happy, and healthy life, and last week she passed on.  We want to thank A Forever Home for putting her together with our family!ver Home 15 years ago.  She had a long, happy, and healthy life, and last week she passed on.  We want to thank A Forever Home for putting her together with our family!