Memorial
We hope you will also visit our Please read... page. (with a box of kleenex!)
|
Many dogs and other animals have come into our lives over the past 20 years, each one has been a special part of our family, and no matter how long or how brief their time in our home, every one leaves an empty place in our hearts when they go. Many of our pets have been thoughtlessly abandoned by former owners, and I pity these sad individuals who do not have it in them to recognize the love and loyalty that these wonderful animals had to offer, or to have returned that love. Several of our beloved pets passed on before we had this website and memorial page, and do not appear here, but they too will always be remembered as the treasured family members that they were. All the animals remembered here are buried at Treherne farm.
|
|
Heidi
Thunder Thunder (Runaway Days of Thunder - CKC Reg'd) was another of the old shelties that we adopted when they retired as breeding dogs. He was a sweet old man, always so gentle and loving, and affectionate with anyone who would stop to give him a pat. He was the sire of our Bonnie, and many other beautiful shelties, but once neutered and part of our family, was also a wonderful companion to us and to our other dogs. Sometimes bringing older dogs into the family is difficult, knowing that their years with us may be short, but we wouldn't have missed this grand old gentleman for the world. Thunder crossed Rainbow Bridge on September 7, 2005.
Chester
Romeo Here was one tiny cat who wrapped himself around the heart of everyone who met him. In August 2004, two wagon loads of hay were delivered to the farm, and as they were being unloaded by tractor, two tiny kittens fell from a bale. Their eyes just opened, these kittens were returned to the farm to be given back to their mother. However four hours later, Randy discovered a third kitten huddled in the bucket of the tractor, and we drove to the farm with him, only to find that they had been unable to locate the mother. We brought the three home with us, and the task of raising tiny kittens by hand began. All three ate and grew well, but one who had a problem with a hind leg, developed some kind of infection after several weeks, which caused chunks of skin to slough off his back end. Romeo, as he had been named for his extremely loving nature, was very sick, but responded well to antibiotics and cleansing of his wounds. The skin and hair grew back incredibly fast, and this little kitten was once again scooting around the house on three legs. The thing that amazed everyone and endeared this little kitten to them, was his incredible spirit and will to live, and the fact that he purred the second you reached for him. Even when he was extremely ill, lying on the table at the vet's office, he purred if anyone touched him. He purred as his wounds were being cleaned, and licked the hands of those who were caring for him. He snuggled up and instantly forgave us for causing him pain. On October 29 however, Romeo was rushed to the vet with a new problem, a urinary blockage, very unusual for such a young cat. Before the vet was able to begin any kind of treatment however, little Romeo passed away in my hands. So many problems were just too much for his tired little body. We were all devastated at losing him, but none more so than Jessica, who had spent countless hours caring for this kitten and his siblings along with her twin sister Morgan. Jessica had focused much attention on Romeo however, and made caring for him a huge priority. If it were possible for love to save an animal, this kitten would have lived forever. Romeo crossed Rainbow Bridge on October 29, 2004.
Teddy For the second time in two weeks, we have had to say goodbye to one of our old friends. Teddy (Runaway Teddy Bear - CKC Reg'd) a sable sheltie, retired here several years ago at the same time as Tigger (below) and four other shelties. The two eldest passed away within a few months of each other several years ago. We knew that the time was approaching for some of these older dogs, but losing two so close together, and especially with the loss of Farley also earlier this year, has been difficult. Teddy really suited the name of Teddy Bear, as he loved to snuggle on the sofa with us and some of the other dogs when we watched TV. He is pictured here doing just that! Teddy was affectionate and energetic, and was always at our side when outside with us. He was euthanized due to age related illness, and crossed Rainbow Bridge on October 16, 2004.
Tigger Tigger (Runaway Tigger Nune - CKC Reg'd) was a tri colour sheltie, who retired here to Treherne Farm for her final years, after raising many beautiful puppies for Runaway Kennels in North Bay. She was so gentle and quiet and such a sweet natured old girl, and was very much a part of our family. We truly miss her. Tigger crossed Rainbow Bridge on October 2, 2004.
Farley Farley
was a lab/shepherd cross, who was found one bitter cold February night,
sleeping curled up right on the highway in minus 40 weather. It appeared
that with a few scrapes and scratches, he had been thrown from a car,
and was waiting hopefully for his owner to return. Of course no owner
came looking... So Farley joined our family, and what a great dog he was. He was so good with the horses and other animals, and devoted to the children, particularly Morgan. He loved to curl up on her bed at night, and not a single morning went by, that he did not after going outside in the morning, come back in the house and run up the stairs, nose open the door to the twins room, and go to Morgan's bed to check on her. He never woke her, it was just his morning ritual to check on her. This dog touched the heart of everyone who got to know him, there was just something so special about his character. Farley crossed Rainbow Bridge on June 29, 2004.
Maggie
Laddie Laddie (Lochlannas Midnite Laddie - CKC reg'd.) was an adopted tri colour sheltie. He came to us at the age of five years, after FOUR previous homes, including one where the owner had commited suicide. Laddie was found faithfully curled up with his owners body. He also survived being hit by a car before he came to live with us. The first while that we had him, Lad appeared uncaring, seeming to think we were yet another stop in his journey, but as he began to understand that this stop was permanent, he started to attach himself to the family and other pets. Although he was one of several dogs here at Treherne Farm, Laddie was truly special. He was a very sweet and sensitive dog who would give you a kiss if you said "please" and then give you a second if you asked for "another", and who would worm his way into the bed if there was a thunderstorm! He had the most beguiling eyes when asking for a treat, and was also the favourite of Rebecca's mum (grandma) who spent lots of time here at the farm before she passed away in 1998. In March 2001, Lad required emergency surgery when a tumour on his spleen ruptured. He survived the surgery, but the lab tests confirmed that Lad had cancer. The prognosis was that he would be dead within six months at the most. We enjoyed what we thought would be our final few months with Lad, but the six month mark came....and went! Lad beat that date by one and a half years, slowing down at the end somewhat, but still alert, comfortable, eating and happy. When he stopped showing interest in food, and began to decline further, we knew it was finally time to let him go. Lad crossed Rainbow Bridge on April 27th, 2003, at age 13, and is buried here at the farm. Sleep well old boy. We are so very glad for the years that we had with you...
Razzmatazz Taz
(pictured at age 5) was a flea bitten (copper
flecked) grey, Appaloosa
Dakota Dakota was a beautiful and gentle bay gelding. Purchased from the same auction as old Maggie, above, he was a very sweet natured old fellow who was to retire here. He became ill soon after arriving at Treherne Farm, and tests showed that he had cancer. He was with us only a few weeks, and when it became clear that it was time to have the vet euthanize him, Dakota left, surrounded by the family he had so quickly become a big part of. We will never forget him. Unfortunately we had not yet taken any photos of Dakota when he became ill, and we were so busy caring for him that we did not think to take any. We suddenly realised after the vet had been called to come out to the farm, that we did not have a photo of him, so this was taken shortly before Dakota was put to sleep. Although not a happy photo, he is fat, shiny and happy in our memories, as he was before his cancer became apparent. Dakota crossed Rainbow Bridge in October of 2001 |
Molly
(Runaway Black Molly - CKC Reg'd) was our tiny tri colour
sheltie. This darling little girl was an anniversary gift to me
from Randy the year we moved to the farm. He chose her at two
days old, brought her home at a few weeks old, and this wee little dog, the smallest sheltie we have
ever seen, made her way into our hearts in very short order.
Quiet and incredibly sweet and gentle, she was never far from
our sides. For 13 years Molly was part of our family, and then
on Saturday, May 12, 2007, she went out with the other dogs in
the morning, and disappeared a few minutes later. Molly had
never once left our back yard, or wandered up the driveway
further than the gate, and although we had no way of knowing for
sure, we were fairly certain she had not gone to the road and
been picked up. I immediately contacted the local shelters, and
the whole family spent hours looking for her, going through the
woods, searching everywhere. Randy walked the bottom of the
ravine at the back of our property three times in the next two
days, but there was no sign of her. Our feeling was that a fox
must have taken her, and although I was sure she was dead by now, the
worst part was not knowing what had happened, and not having her
little body to bury. It was truly a horrible feeling. The next
two nights were freezing cold, and by Monday, although hope was
fading, Randy and I continued looking for her, and I could not
pass the windows without looking out and hoping that she
would miraculously appear. Although certain it was useless, I
began printing posters with her picture and information, to put
up around the area and at vet's offices. I also composed a lost
dog ad to put on an Ontario lost pets website. On Monday
afternoon, literally as I clicked the mouse to send the ad,
there was a commotion at the back door, and in walked Mike with
Molly in his arms!! We were truly astounded, but so very
relieved to see our wee girl home. She was covered in foul
smelling mud which told us she had been in the bog behind the
hunt camp beside us, and had pine twigs and moss tangled through
her coat. She got a bath and next morning a grooming, and
had a quick trip to the vet for a skin problem which was likely
due to her being soaked and muddy for a couple of days. Molly
seemed tired, but otherwise alright, and I barely let her out of
my sight. She snuggled in a warm bed with Randy and I at nights,
and got a few more treats than usual, and I still could not
believe that she was back. Over the next few days however, she
ate less and less, although moist food was still devoured, and
we put it down to being tired out after her ordeal, especially
considering her age. When she seemed even more tired and began
to refuse all food, we made an appointment to go back to the
vet. She spent the day there and had bloodwork done, and
unfortunately the news was bad. Molly's kidneys were failing.
She was put on i.v. and painkillers, but declined so fast that
day that we had to rush to get back in time to be with her when she was
gently put to sleep. Molly crossed Rainbow Bridge on May 26,
2007. We lost her a second time, this one for good, but while we
are so very sad to have to say goodbye to her, we are indeed
thankful that we were able to be with her at the end, to know
that she was safe and warm in her final moments, and to bring
her little body back to be buried at the only home she has ever
known. Sleep well little one, we were blessed to be your
family.
What
an absolutely precious friend this old girl was. Hers was a long
story with an unknown beginning. At the approximate age of two,
this beautiful Collie was found on a road in Sunderland,
Ontario, after being hit by a car. She was picked up and
sheltered for eight days before receiving any veterinary
attention for her severely broken hind leg. We have never
understood why she was made to wait for surgery, but by the time
she got it her leg was a mess. No one claimed her, and a friend
of a friend who had once raised collies was fostering her.
Meeting this gorgeous girl with her shaved and stapled leg, I
found a true friend who would become a huge part of our family.
When she was able to travel, she came here to live with us, and
we soon learned what a dear creature she was. She was probably
the most quiet, sweet and gentle animal I have ever known. I
truly believe she did not have a mean bone in her body. She
recovered from her injuries and the surgery and moved into our
hearts in very short order. She loved being outside when we were
out, but was never far from us when we returned inside. She
truly was part of our family. She amused us by being willing to
share her bowl of kibble with any number of cats, but fiercely
defending it from the other dogs, and by cramming herself into
the tiniest spaces she could to sleep. It did not matter how
many dog beds, quilts or other places were available to sleep
on, she loved the tiniest box or dog crate she could squeeze
into, especially laundry baskets. Whether the laundry in them
was clean or dirty did not matter, she thought them equally
comfy! 
It
is difficult to express just how special Heidi was. All of our dogs are
special, and much loved, but there was truly something unique and
wonderful about the character of this tiny Toy Poodle who was our
companion for nearly 15 years. She went through so much with our family,
including military postings, the arrival of our last child, the move to
the farm, and so much more. She was all of 7 lbs, but for such a small
package, she contained so much joy and love. We will always remember
Heidi - each time she was freshly clipped, wriggling until she got out
of her "clothes", (meant to keep her warm, but always annoying
to her) Christmas, which she greeted with the same delight as a small
child, her insistence when she wanted a treat, or a warm lap to curl up
on, and joyfully rolling in the grass each morning in spring and summer.
Heidi was born on January 17, 1991. She crossed Rainbow Bridge on
October 27, 2005. We will always miss you sweet little girl.
Given
to us by a friend, Chester was a sorrel Shetland who had been through
several previous 
homes, one of which he had been rescued from, starving and close to
death. He was a curious but gentle pony, and though he was always well
behaved with us, he did so love to torment Casey the Percheron, until he
would play with him! Beautiful in looks and nature, this boy always
brought a smile, and was very much a part of our family for several
years. Chester crossed Rainbow Bridge on February 1, 2005.
Maggie
was a lovely palomino Quarter Horse cross mare, with a very sweet and
gentle nature. Purchased from an auction in June 2001, in horrible
condition, we were not sure of her exact age, just that she had been
around a good long time. We suspect that the old swaybacked girl had
been used as a broodmare, especially when she adopted one of our
shetlands and tried to mother him!
When we brought her home, we did not think she would live long, but the
old girl surprised us and a few months later had gained weight and was
cantering around enjoying retirement. She touched all our hearts,
following us around for treats, peeking in the back window of our house,
wanting us to come out and play! She became buddies with Taz (below) who
passed on almost a year before her, and Casey, our Percheron, who is now
without both of his dear friends. We wish we could have had her here
with us much longer, but are grateful for the 2 1/2 years that we did
have with her. Maggie crossed Rainbow Bridge on January 5, 2004,
snuggled in the barn, surrounded by her family. Maggie is buried beside
her friend Taz.
Arab cross gelding. Taz was Rebecca's riding horse. She had ridden him
as a teenager, when he was a school horse. He was shown in his younger
years. Many years later his previous owner, Rebecca's former riding
instructor, Steve, unselfishly parted with her last and favourite horse,
so that he could be with other horses. He made the trip to
Treherne Farm, where he enjoyed several years of semi retirement, and
finally two years of complete retirement. He was an extremely gentle and
willing animal, who knew how to take care of his rider. He loved his
Christmas morning candy canes!!! Taz crossed Rainbow Bridge on February
20, 2003, at the age of 30. 