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Pugsley
In the summer of 2006 I had the pleasure of adopting Pugsley, a boxer mix, from your organization. I have never been so blessed. He was hands down, no question, the best dog I have ever met and he quickly earned “rock star” celebrity status in the neighborhood shortly after coming home with me. Everyone loved him. He possessed all of the best qualities that a dog could have. He was loyal, obedient, affectionate, humorous, snuggly, playful and charismatic… his size and low booming bark gave the misleading impression of a fierce gate keeper… however that quickly faded as soon as he was appropriately introduced to whoever approached. He was perfect for me.
Sadly, Pugs began having some health issues late last summer. He was diagnosed with a degenerative nerve condition in his left rear leg. This gradually progressed to his other back leg and then to his bladder and bowels. He was almost to the point where he could not raise himself without assistance and he could no longer sense when he needed to potty. Unfortunately there was nothing medically that could be done to prevent the deterioration of his nerves or improve his condition.
On Tuesday, February 9, 2010 I made the heart breaking decision to say good-bye to Pugs. As word of his passing spread throughout the neighborhood, we received dozens of cards and visits from adults, kids and his doggie buddies. As I said, he was a celebrity on our street! Three of his best buds still stop and sit at the end of our driveway everyday during their daily walks. (In the past when they would stop we would let Pugs out to say Hi and play for a bit). Their “people” literally have to drag them away (sometimes resorting to carrying them away) – with the dogs looking over their shoulder the whole time waiting for Pugs to come hobbling out to greet them.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for matching me with Pugsley and for providing me with a friend that will forever be in my heart. I have purchased a memorial tile for your new building in Pugsley’s name, and I’ve attached a photo of him for you (this one was taken about 2 years ago). Thank you for providing such a wonderful service to this community.
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Nixa
In 2002 I went for surgical removal of abdominal adhesions
and overnight hospitalization. I woke three months later in the Surgical
Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator. Imagine my surprise! My surgery had
gone horribly wrong. A loop of perforated bowel went unnoticed at closing,
and infection was soon followed by total body sepsis. According to my spouse,
I was a cornucopia of medical problems: fluid in my lungs, uncontrollable
high blood pressure, kidney failure and massive swelling in my brain. The
last proved hardest to overcome. The areas of my brain that control balance,
coordination, speech and cognition were compromised. After the three months
in a coma, I spent another three months in the hospital recovering and
learning how to be a person again. There I received speech, cognitive,
physical and occupational therapies. After release from the hospital, I
lived in a hospital bed in my living room for weeks, continuing with all
of the above therapies. I spent the better part of a year working on regaining
the functions I had lost. I relearned how to speak, read, write, walk,
feed, dress and all the other activities that make one human. However,
no matter how hard I worked, I could not stop falling. One moment I'd be
standing up and the next thing I knew I would be on the floor. I was also
dropping things all the time. In July 2004, Nixa came into my life. Nixa,
a beautiful black lab, was my service dog and my constant companion. You
saw me, and you saw Nixa. She kept me safe and kept me from falling. When
I would start to lose my balance, Nix would stand totally still so I could
lean on her shoulders to steady myself. Nixa picked up the hundreds of
things that fell out of my hands. I had no idea how many things I was dropping
until Nixa starting giving them to me! Nixa found all my lost pens. Words
cannot express how Nixa changed my life. Sometimes I was so thankful to
have her that I would well up with tears. Nixa would lick my cheeks as
if to say "Mom, it's my job." She
gave me confidence and comfort. I knew that Nixa would be a big help to
me. I had no idea that Nixa would give me back my life. Now I picture Nixa
in a wonderful place with plenty of rabbits and squirrels to chase. Nixa
drinks from a stream that occasionally bubbles up peanut butter. Nixa gets
to romp as much and as long as she wants. I am so thankful to have had
Nixa. I miss her so. |
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Snaves
In memory of Snaves Lee Watson. Snaves (left) and Lilly (right) were almost always touching when resting. Here Lilly has her head on her big sister. We are celebrating her specifically and celebrating senior dogs in general. |
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Zach
I first met Zach his first weekend at Circle Tail, which
just happened to be Valentine's Day weekend 2003! He was slated for the assistance
dog program, so I didn't see him for a few months. In July of that year he
was back at CT - and Tracy told me to walk him last because he was going
home with me... And he did! Through the past six years, Zach has had his
troubled times - but those were far outweighed by the love, comfort, companionship,
and cuddles that he provided. We'd had a few scares in the past 3 1/2 years,
and I told Zach he couldn't leave me - that I wouldn't be able to get through
school/clinicals/boards exams for occupational therapy and deal with his
passing on top of it. I got word from the State of Ohio yesterday that I
am a licensed occupational therapist - Zach knew this, and it was his time
to go. The cancer was throughout his body - he'd held out for me, for that
I am thankful. I was with him, and holding him as he passed. And I'll see
him again - at that Rainbow Bridge . |
Doing what he did best - providing and receiving unconditional love |
Luke
(A Therapy Dog, and permanent Circle Tail resident)
Luke, also affectionately known as Lukie-Duke, a 100 lb Akbash,
was one of the original Circle Tail “therapy dogs”. He came to Circle Tail in 1998
and from the beginning it was obvious that he wasn’t “assistance dog”
material but that he definitely had all the makings of a “therapy dog”. He
went to various talks and demonstrations, strolling amongst the masses who
marveled at his beauty and calm, gentle nature. He was most at home with
children; letting swarms of little ones snuggle into his soft fur. He was
always up for a walk with the volunteers at Circle Tail and greeted
volunteers with a kiss and a lean! This year he started to show his age and
walks got slower, but he was always ready for a nice stroll on the Circle
Tail grounds. He went quietly to meet Abby (his GSD housemate for 7 years)
at the Rainbow Bridge on a sunny Saturday morning, surrounded by his 6 four-
legged housemates and 4 of his close human companions. Luke’s smile
will be missed by many.
May 22, 1997 - September 13, 2008
Providing therapy at Halloween! |
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Sonny
(A Service Dog)
Sonny was a 72 lb. blonde Golden Retriever, born 2-9-99, partnered June 2001, and died 8-2-08. We were extremely close. He was a big help. We spent only 30 mins. apart in 7 years. Everywhere we went, people told me what a pretty dog he is. I became very used to his presence.
Editor's Note: Sonny helped with every day living - retrieval, opening / closing doors. Sonny helped Jay stay independent. Jay is heartbroken over his sudden/ unexpected death.
February 1999 - August 2008 |
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Merlynn
We lost our magnificent Merlynn on Monday July 7, 2008. Apparently she was born in May 1993 and she enjoyed a wonderful 11 years with our family. My 3 children adored her. My bird was able to sit on Merlynn's head. She was patient with everything and everyone. Our house has been buzzing with activity since Merlynn came from Cirlce Tail to live with us. Everyone I know loved her. Many of my clients cried when they came for their weekly sessions with me and Merlynn was gone. People talked about what an incredible animal she was all the time. My own mom, disliked being around all animals except for our Merlynn. We loved her so much and she was a gift from heaven. There will never be another dog like her, but we will never be without our memories of her.
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Abby
It is with a sad heart
that Circle Tail wished Abby, faithful and much loved canine friend of Circle
Tail, a safe journey across the Rainbow
Bridge.
Circle Tail and
Abby’s life as the Circle Tail demo dog both began in 1997. As
Circle Tail continued to grow and touch so many lives, so did Abby. Every
assistance dog who passed through the Circle Tail training program was trained
under Abby’s silent but effective tutelage. Guards and handlers alike knew
Abby when she walked through the prison gates to lend a paw with the dog
program. Saturday training classes
were held under her ever-watchful eye. Abby
was and always will be Circle Tail. She
will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.
Some people are blessed with experiencing the unconditional love and absolute
devotion of that true, once in a lifetime, canine soul mate - the dog that seems
to become a part of who we are. Circle Tail’s Director, Marlys, and Abby had
such a relationship. The Friends of Circle Tail send our sincerest condolences
to Marlys.
November 1997 - April 27, 2006 |
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Jesse
It's with a sad heart that Circle Tail
said goodbye to Jesse, our second retired assistance dog. He was well loved and
will be forever missed by many.
This good-natured Shepherd / Rottweiler
mix retired from his job as a Seizure Response Dog in fall of 2003 around the
age of 6. Jesse was partnered as a Seizure Response Dog in August 2000. He was
partnered with a gentleman who he helped when he had seizures.
Jesse was so well trained and bonded to his partner - he pulled the
lifeline 5 times in the first year alone, summoning EMTs! After Jesse’s
partner had a stroke, he was no longer able to care for Jesse and utilize his
skills. So Jesse's new job was to be a pampered pet and he was adopted into a
loving home. With his change of career, he had it made!! He played with his
elderly canine sibling, was stalked by the 3 resident cats, hunted "rabbits"
(and the occasional misidentified leaf!) and received pets and belly rubs daily
from his new mom and dad. For three years, he lived the life of luxury where
his family thought he was the best dog in the world.
From a stray puppy, to an honorable
Assistance Dog, to a retired pampered pet, Jesse's life was filled with love and
adventure; however, never long enough for those of us left behind without him.
1997-2006 |
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Bert
It is with a very sad heart that we write to tell you of the loss of our beloved Boston Terrier Bert. We adopted him from Circle Tail two years ago ... when he was 6 or 7 years old. He was such a fun, silly boy ... and brought smiles and laughter to all of us. Our sons were especially attached to this wonderful little guy. In July, he was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor. Earlier this month, the tumor entered his brain ... and we had to say goodbye. We thank you for helping us find Bert. He was such a wonderful part of our family. We miss him ... and we love him still. |
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The Life of Dooley
Dec 14, 2004 – Mar 26, 2007
Dooley, our vibrant Black Lab, led an
exemplary life. He came to our house at 10 months old, fresh out of his first
round of service dog training and ready for some fostering from teenage triplet
dog handlers and their mom.
With his fastidious manners, pensive
look, remarkable patience, and an uncanny ability to “serve” each of us in his
own way, Dooley quickly won over our hearts. This gentleman of a dog became our
beloved pet in February 2006 after being dismissed from the service program for
barking at prisoners. We believe he was calling out to us to be his family and
we quickly obliged.
For fifteen months, Dooley entertained,
comforted, played with and protected us. After a sudden diagnosis of leukemia
and a brief, valiant battle, Dooley left this Earth on March
26, 2007 to be of service in a different place. Our hearts are broken and we
grieve his loss but are grateful for the time he was part of our family. His
spirit endures. Rest in peace, Dools. Woof, woof! |
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Autumn
It is with a heavy heart that we say bye to Autumn as she journeys to the Rainbow Bridge. Autumn did not come from Circle Tail but her constant companion, Baxter (one of Wren's puppies) did a little over 2 years ago. We miss her so...we love her so...she will be missed but never forgotten. |
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Sonny 1/19/05 - 1/29/07
It is with a broken heart that I have to tell you
that Sonny, one of
Wren's pups, lost a recent and short battle with an aggressive form
of cancer. Not that he would ever show any pain or discomfort, but by
the time the diagnosis was made, it was too late, we had to make the
decision to tell our baby goodbye. I am thankful though for every
second we had together in this world and that we made the most of it.
It's almost like he knew from the start that he didn't have as long,
so his star burnt as brightly as it could for as long as it could. He
loved unconditionally and with all his heart and expected nothing in
return, we were lucky to briefly cross paths with him. We will be
forever left questioning why he was taken from us so young, when he
touched so many people's lives in such a positive way. He brought us
smiles and joy every single day, and no words can express how much he
meant to us.
He was our pillow and blanket, our student and teacher, our tour
guide and workout partner, our taste tester and guard dog, but most
of all, he was our best friend and our son. There is an empty place
left inside us until we see our sweet boy again. Thank you for
bringing us together.
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