Thursday Thinking and Thanking

Mom is going to take the keyboard fur this post

                                                         A few pictures from Tuesday
                                                                             ******
Thanks Khyra - I wanted to share two very touching emails.  The first was something Irina sent to the transport list after everything was wrapped up Sunday night - of course, please bear with me as I let Booger orient the text as it wants - just not fighting it THIS time!

As always, thank you to everyone who was involved with this transport and of course the adopters. It seems that we not only have the best drivers but we also have the best families adopt our babies! Yeah for our fur babies :-)







With all the "THANKS" going around I realized that I have never mentioned publicly or via these kinds of emails the gratitude that I have for people who turn to rescue when they find animals in need. It would be so much easier for them to either do nothing or pick the animal (s) and take to animal control.






I think of this now because it just occurred to me that all four of these puppies were found on the side of the road in Ga by people who cared enough to pick them up and then do some research and find me and BEG me to take them. All of them were found in Carroll Country, Ga (one county west of Douglas where I live). Both these ladies took pictures and send me bios; of course the girl who found Brody actually took him to the vet clinic where she works b/c he was in such bad shape.






I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we should all be thankful to the people out there who may not be involved in rescue work as we are but who do deeply care about animals and take the time to do the right thing. I know those of us in rescue see horrible images and read horrific stories about animal cruelty. Most of the lay population does. Most of "us" can't believe how people can be so cruel. Well, between US and THEM lay the ones who do the right thing or do nothing at all. We need to be thankful to the ones who do the right thing by contacting rescue groups and for adopting rather than buying.






I just can't imagine Brody dying somewhere on the side of the road and depriving SO many people of the joy and love that he offers to everyone he meets. If there was ever a true ambassador for DOGS Brody is it! They just don't come any better.






Until the next run...all my best to everyone!






Irina Clow, Founder


Rotts 'n Pups Rescue, Inc.


Douglasville, GA


A 501(c)(3) Public Charity

                 Then, I wanted to share more about the special Canine Ambassador named Eli

                                                  From Eli's Facebook Page

Eli and his mom Sherry

His Pal Brooke

Someone on the Belgian ListServ shared the video from the recent Belgian Sheepdog Nationala - held in the Bethlehem Easton area of PA a few weeks ago - here is the link to it  - it was noted the sound system wasn't working very well so some of the special tribute to Eli was a bit difficult to hear - a few exchanges transpired then this next message came through - it was from Eli's Mom Sherry - it was some words about Eli's passing as well as what she had shared during his tribute -

These past three weeks have been difficult to say the least. I've tried many times to send out a message to everyone but can't seem to get through it. I have no special tribute.

There are no words to describe my loss. I was so blessed to have Eli in my life. He changed mine and touched so many others in ways I never imagined. Only one week prior to Eli's sudden passing he was in the show ring doing what he loved. I wasn't sure I could attend the National but because of all the support everyone gave me I managed to get through it. I was surrounded by friends that I have because of Eli. I want to send a big thank you to all those involved with Eli's tribute.


I prepared myself to stand alone to accept Eli's ribbon during the parade. Instead I was joined by Eli's family and leading the group was Shery Alligood, Eli's breeder and my friend who was with us through our journey from beginning to end. Thanks to the Spitfire kids and Sans Branco kids & grandkids that reminded me of the legacy he leaves behind.


Thank you to everyone for your understanding and kindness at this very difficult time.


Today I stand here holding only a leash. My champion & title holder won’t be parading around the ring with me. I never thought I would be standing alone without Eli by my side. The leash I’m holding is very special. It was presented to Eli by David & Cheri Frei on behalf of the Westminster Kennel Club’s Angel on a Leash Program and his visits at NYC’s Ronald McDonald House.


Since Eli’s last parade of champions he received 2 AKC top honors and several community awards.


I had 2 write ups for Eli's walk into the ring. This is my 3rd. The first one was the one that I hoped would be read. It was supposed to be about Eli's life and about his accomplishments. He was to be escorted into and around the ring by his special friend and pen pal from the Ronald McDonald House.


Her name is Brooke Hester and she's been fighting cancer for a year. She's going to be 5 years old next week. We wanted the trip to our show to be a special surprise. We planned a birthday party for her and she was going to have her chance to see Eli compete in the veteran sweeps.


Just 2 weeks ago we learned the sad news that Brooke's cancer had progressed and she was hospitalized undergoing more chemo. I got the news as we were driving to Syracuse to the dog show. I told Brooke that Eli was going to be in the show and he was going to win a ribbon just for her. I was thrilled when Eli won First Place in the Herding Group and went on to compete for Best Veteran in Show. As promised I sent the big pink rosette off to the Sloan Cancer Treatment Center in New York. We were still hoping for a miracle for her to get well enough to make the trip but unfortunately we knew it wasn't going to happen. Instead we would video tape Eli in the ring and take the show to her. I began working on my 2nd write up Monday evening. This write up was about Eli and Brooke and how they became friends and her inspiration. It was about how Eli was helping Brooke to be strong and make her smile. His notes to her always ended : "with furry hugs & slurps, Love Eli." By Tuesday there was no need for any write up. I'm still at a loss for words.......


Eli was my heart, my soul, my life. A true Angel on a Leash






ELI


Am/Can Ch Celebre Elijah of Hillside


AKC's only Lifetime Achievement Ace Award Recipient


Purina Hall of Fame Inductee


National Dog Show Ambassador


Multiple Best in Show Specialty Winner


Multiple Group Winner & Placer


Am/Can CD, RN, HT, CGC, TDI


Produced Multiple Grand Champions and Bronze Medalist


Produced multiple Champions and International Champions in the US & Japan
 
 
After Sherry exchanged this message with the group, I wrote her and included the link to the post we did when we had learned Eli had crossed The Rainbow Bridge - I thought she might want to read some of the kind words left by YOU - she appreciated them so much!  I told her we'd had featured the two of them here a few other times.  In the coming days, I'll send her a link to this post as well.
 
I'm going to close with one more link we hope you'll check out - Eli's Sweet Pal Brooke has a page where you can leave messages and such for her - someone on the Belgian list had shared it last week as it was Brooke's birthday - and we were encouraged to leave her a message - HERE IS THE LINK TO IT - maybe some of you would like to send her some wishes from around the world - Sherry indicated she had noticed we had signed it - she also said "It means so much to her mother just to see Brooke smile"  Let's send some more smiles THEIR way!
 

                                                 

Hugz&Khysses From Khyra's Khorner

P.S. I'm sorry about the text - I truly was not up to fighting it