VELVET
Just wanted to let you all know that Velvet passed away yesterday morning. She was her normal self up until Sunday. I could tell she wasn’t feeling well Sunday and chosen to lay in her bed all day, which for her really wasn’t that unusual, she loved to be under the covers in her bed and sleeping. So up until Sunday our days where pretty routine. Thank you all for getting her to me. I can easily say the last chapter of life was great. She was truly a very unique wiener and brought us much happiness. Once again, thanks for helping bring her into our lives. We will miss her! She was a master of breaking in the laundry basket and stealing all the socks.

Hayden
Hayden, We are so sorry we couldn't fix what was wrong but we tried and we know that you were grateful for all we did. We just wish we didn't have to say good-bye but we know you are finally running pain free and whole at the rainbow bridge where you'll meet JoAnn and I again some day. Diane

Piper
Piper Gracie came into our lives as a little rescue puppy and we quickly nicknamed her three pounds of tough. She came to us as a small underweight girl but grew into a beautiful lady full of personality. Unfortunately she had a genetic disease that took her from us way too soon. She brought so much joy into our lives and taught us what living life to the fullest means. Even on her last day with us, gravely ill, she still had spirit and wanted to be one of the pack. We will never forget her and will cherish her memories. Rest in peace little lady. We love you! (12/21/09 - 11/1/11) Sherry

DIXIE LU
I lost my husband of over 50 years and then I lost his 16 year old poodle. So my family thought it would be a good idea to get another companion, so I headed for the computer and really had no idea what to try for but I wound up with Diane Irwin and a car full of dachshunds. Now my experience with Dixie Lu: What I heard from Diane is that Dixie Lu was mean and could not get along with anyone (man, woman or child) but she seem to know that very day that she was going to stay. After she watched everyone play and pet the other dogs she crawled into my daughters arms and put her noise on her neck and was so sweet and loving. What I heard from my daughter was “mom this is the one you want. You need her”. But when everyone was gone she showed what she could and would do. After a few times getting away when we opened the door, she did mess up a few times, but then all of a sudden Dixie Lu settled down. So with Dixie and me we got along fine after she found out that I had an answer to everything she tried to get away with. My feelings on our togetherness were: There were two souls that needed to be together and she kept hunting until she found me. She was unusually very smart. She learned to walk very slowly when I had to use my canes but then she knew she could run as fast as she wanted to when I was in my electric chair. Dixie Lu was afraid of nothing except for bad storms, and she was also good at letting everyone know that she owned me. She barked and tried to bit anyone that came to close to me, but she never once tried to bit me. If I was not paying attention to her when she needed to go out she would grab my hand with her moth but never bit down. She also knew that I got up at six am and if I didn’t, she got me up and laid down in my spot until I got the coffee on and her food ready. Then I called out Dixie do you want to go out to pee? She would be there in a minute with her tail wagging. And that was something she never did when she first came here. So with everything we accomplished together and all said and done, I will miss her to no end. If there were ever two souls that need to be together it was us. She hunted until she found me. O about her barking and trying to bit everyone I come to realize she was just protecting her loved one. (I never told strangers that though so they kept their distance.) Ruthanne Byrd “I miss you and Love you Dixie Lu” Dixie Lu died October 1st, 2011 at the Vets Office from Liver Failure.

NANA RIP
Nana (Adoption: August 2007---- Passed away: August 30, 2011) Nana has been a precious part of our family for four years. She had been found as a stray and had extremely bad dental issues. Once she was taken in by AADR, she received the veterinarian care she needed. All of her teeth had to be removed and she had extensive care for a fistula that developed as a part of her dental condition. My husband and I were looking for a companion for our schnauzer, Lacy. We fell in love with Nana’s beautiful face and the tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth just added character. She loved her cheese and cookie treats, belly rubs and her own bed beside of our bed. She and our grandson, Andrew, became best friends and they enjoyed playing and snuggling together. We loved her with all of our hearts and she will forever be missed. Erik, Denise, Andrew, Anthony, Angie, Lacy and Scoobie