Eskie Rescuers United

Skye (aka Big Boy)
Today will be a very sad day for my pack as we help Big Boy over the bridge. He came to me on June 16, 2017. His liver was failing him as well as his legs. Thanks to my wonderful vet at Haines City Pet Hospital we were able to get his liver numbers corrected and she found a pain medication that he could take with his liver condition. Unfortunately, his joints are just too bad and the medication has little effect at this point. He is a wonderful dog that I will miss terribly. Tomorrow I will say goodbye. I wish there was more that could be done.......Jim Schulz (Big Boy’s foster), December 7, 2018

Rocket
It is with a heavy heart and many tears that I write to tell you that we said “until we meet again” to our precious little soul Rocket. Our little boy, who had an unbreakable spirit, succumbed to the complications of a rare genetic disease earlier today. Rocket, originally Ghost, was posted on craiglists by a breeder in Richmond. A family purchased him and soon after also posted Ghost on craigslist. Ghost was five months old at the time and had been diagnosed with multiple cartilaginous exostoses (MCE). The family offered $100 to anyone that would take Ghost. Thankfully a woman from animal control saw the post and immediately reached out to her friend, Marsha, an eskie lover. Marsha reached out to me and I contacted the family and convinced them to let ERU take and care for Ghost. We did not take their money. Marsha retrieved Ghost and we met ½ way. The specialists said he would only live a few days, maybe a week or so. That was more than 25 months ago. We never gave up, and with the help of Dr. Andersen and team Rocket went from being unable to use his back legs to running and chasing deer and Marley (his brother) and enjoying every moment of life. Many of you met Rocket at the last annual Eskie party in Oct 2016. That was a few days after we rescued him. Many, many of you have supported us and held Rocket in your hearts over the last two years. We will never be able to thank you enough. Rocket enjoyed the R’Eskie Ranch with his brothers and sisters Francie, Scooby, Sophia, and Smokey whom have all passed on. Today they are reunited and running and playing together. Rocket is survived by Cody, Marley, Skippy, and Sampson. We will all miss his larger than life presence. It is, and will continue to be, my greatest privilege and honor to love, care and provide a home for these fantastic creatures. Run like the wind little buddy!.......Heidi Ortmeyer, November 30, 2018

Neko
I have volunteered on and off in eskie rescue for many years. A couple of weeks ago I began trying to help find a lost eskie, named Neko. Neko was an eskie that hadn't been fully socialized and was quite the escape artist. Being about 2 years old, he was a very handsome and energetic boy. Although we had many sightings of him and could only get about within 50 feet of him, he wouldn't allow himself to be vulnerable enough to be caught. We tried, boy did we try. He finally began warming up to a neighbor and we had hope that he'd soon be safe. That was never meant to be. Neko was soon after hit by a car and didn't make it. He's now being cremated. This broke all our hearts. Many people tried to help him. I write this because every dog and person deserves to be remembered properly, no matter how briefly they may have been known. Although we didn't know Neko well, we knew that he was an eskie that needed rescue. At about 20 lbs, he was a small guy. He was also very smart and quick. He just didn't realize that we were there to help him. Neko, I will always remember you, in my heart and mind. You touched me very deeply and I'm so sorry that we couldn't reach you in time. You were a beautiful boy Neko. May you find love and peace on the other side. Know that you were and always will be loved. Rest easy, until we meet again my friend. Neko...Gone too soon, but never forgotten........Kim Stewart, September 9, 2018

Neko
It's with deep, deep sadness that we report the passing of Neko. He was hit by a car and killed. We are in the process of retrieving him, and of course, like any ERU dog, though we really didn't get a chance to know him, will be handled with love, respect and dignity. He will be cremated and remain with our rescue, always loved and never forgotten... Godspeed, little one.......September 9, 2018

Giggles
It is with a very bittersweet sentiment that I announce the passing of foster senior Eskimo, Giggles (formerly Peppy). Giggles came to ERU in October 2017 from a shelter in southern California; he had been microchipped (2002) and had gone through the shelter system four separate times (the first time being when he was still a baby), this last time he went unclaimed by owner. He was an adorable 17# mini who arrived with considerable alopecia, arthritis, thyroid and cognitive dysfunction, but also with nothing short of a bright & mighty Eskimo spirit. We were grateful for the opportunity to provide for Giggles (Gigs) a forever foster home; he was cherished and adored from the moment he arrived. And, in true Eskie fashion, within a short amount of time he exposed to us the most charming of personalities and quickly wiggled his way deeply into our hearts. Naturally, he had the big dogs wrapped around his paws, and shortly became their ringleader. We celebrated Giggles every day, hoping that if he felt just a fraction of the joy and love from us that we received from him, that we could hope he was happy here. We tried to do all we could to help make up for lost time with him; he spent time with cool grass under his paws and cool breezes in fresh air flowing through his skin (and fur as it returned), warm baths, gentle grooming, massages, healthy food and treats, fluffy beds to rest and sleep on, and countless cuddles from us. His veterinarians and staff also adored him, looking forward to each visit. Gigs turned 16 years-old in our home (this milestone birthday for any dog with us seems befitting of being gifted a car). His personality was larger than life, so big that we adoringly deemed him an “honorary Weimaraner.” And just as magically as he entered our lives, Giggles was recently called to heaven and took his final ride. If the depth of the grief of losing a loved one can be measured by the love we shared together, then Giggles' passing definitely left a seismic wake of emptiness in our hearts and home. It has been an honor and an absolute pleasure to serve Eskie Rescuers United as a foster family; as much sadness as there is at the end of each journey, it is the experience as a whole which brings our lives so much happiness, and the deservedness of the animals we serve is the reason we find fulfillment in what we do. We will certainly continue to honor each one by signing up again and again, for there is no remedy for love but to love more. Giggles, we love you and treasure you; your life has meant so much to us and your spirit will continue to inspire us to assist others in your name and in the names of all who came before you. Rest in peace, darling boy. With love.......The Pink Family, September 6, 2018