Eskie Rescuers United

Tilley
Tilley survived Florida's bad 2005 hurricane season and was captured by animal control begging for burgers at the local McDonald's. Tilley's rescue from a high kill-shelter was precipitated by a flurry of last-minute alerts to rescuers to save her and resulted in a dramatic transport across Alligator Alley in the middle of the night. Once in safety, her rescuers pulled all the nuts, bolts, and miscellaneous hurricane debris from her tangled fur. It took many baths to get her to look and feel good.

Under the care of two foster homes (Ana and Mary), Tilley started to gain some much needed weight but, unfortunately, she was found to have a large mass of polyps in her ears. Tilley spent her final year of life in foster care. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and compassion that had been missing from her "street life" before rescue.

Vanna White
Vanna White may be a Shiba Inu, but she is also an honorary eskie. Vanna found her way into the home and the heart of one of ERU's foster homes. After receiving a call from her local vet, the foster mom heard about a 9 yr old shiba inu who needed rescue or was going to be put down by her owner. He could no longer take care of her due to his own medical problems and didn't know that rescue was an option. When her foster mom went to meet Vanna, she found a severely obese (44 lbs) and sad girl who deserved a shot at a new life. So while Shiba Rescue worked on finding a foster home for Vanna in their program, her eskie foster mom took her home. Vanna was twice the size she should have been, had kidney and thyroid problems, but had a personality that was sweet and endearing. After a month, she was transferred to her shiba foster home where it was discovered that she had Cushing's disease. Shortly after starting treatment, Vanna struggled and passed away. In the short time she was in rescue, Vanna lost almost 10 lbs and had charmed everyone she met. She never met a stranger and was often found doing something she loved- laying in the sun. Vanna will never be forgotten and serves as a reminder that while ERU is about saving eskies, we also try to help others in need.

Winston
Sometimes our best is not enough,
such was the case with Winston.
A spry little fella who touched many lives.

When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little-- but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared;
Miss me-- but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan--
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me-- but let me go.

~ Author Unknown ~

The Quilt
The Quilt
(c) PJ Patty

Nine years have passed since we fixed the place
For our Faithful Friend who went away;
We mourned Her loss, but we took with love,
The Friend who came to stay.
Now by the side of that loved Friend
Our other Beloved Dog lies.
And I sometimes feel that my heart will break
With the hurt of so many goodbyes.
I have heard so may people say
"I don't want to be hurt again."
So they close their hearts, and they miss the joy
They could've found in another Friend.
They won't take the place of the Friend you lost;
For each Love shall stand alone.
But They'll become a part in a wonderful place,
A place to call all Their own.
The hurt that you thought would never heal
Will be part of the yesterdays.
The new Friend that joins you will be just as dear,
Only in a different way.
Each Faithful Friend that shares our hearts
Weaves its own patch of memories;
Each memory tucked in Their own special spot
Filling us with its own inner peace.
Over the years we spread out that quilt
And touch each special patch.

Gently remembering each tiny little
Rainbow step shared with us
As They made Their way to Their last.
We pass on that quilt to our family
Sharing each and every legacy
In hopes that they too will add to it
With each new Spirit living on in infamy.
One day we will hold that quilt and from it
A Rainbow will begin to grow;
Shining on the Bridge where They are waiting
To cross over till it was our time to go.
As we Cross the Bridge to join them
Their love shines through to light our path.
We cross through the Gate to enter together.
St. Peter welcomes each of us; the quilt is finished at last.