DUKE
Sir Duke Fisher 02/05/2005 Adoption – 08/07/2011 The first time I ever saw Duke was in a photo. He was in some sort of playpen, standing tall with his front paws against the top railing. His face was white, still plenty of red, yet the beautiful patch of pure white fur that stretched from the top of his head, almost all the way to his nose. He just looked like a royal Duke, so majestic and so regal. You see, Duke came to live with us by way of All American Dachshund Rescue, at the time it was known as SSDR. We had just lost our Linus of 13 years, and his brother Snickers was so heartbroken and depressed, we began looking a brother for him. I contacted Diane after seeing Duke’s picture on their website. Seems no one wanted a dog as old as him, even though to this day we still don’t know his real birthday or even his original name since he was dumped in a shelter with no information. So, Diane named him Duke, and it was so appropriate because he really was a Duke. We understand he was rescued from a shelter in Kentucky, so my wife Flori began calling him “The Duke of Paducah”. He deserved the moniker and through the short, six years he lived with us, he certainly earned the title. Duke was housebroken, already trained to commands like sit and shake. Anytime you put your hand toward him, he immediately lifted his left paw to greet you. Our neighbors soon realized just what a gentlemen he really was, as he was so relaxed and laid back everyone found him so kind they began referring to him as “A True Southern Gentleman” Duke was our first rescue dachshund, and I will tell you this. They are the most appreciative little guys you will ever find. It took years before Duke would sit up and look out the window on a car ride, he just hung his head down on my wife’s knee, thinking he was only going to be taken somewhere else and dumped. After a while though, he looked forward to the rides and as always, a gentleman who stayed in his place in the car, not rolling down the windows or blowing the horn or shifting the car out of gear like all of our other doxies have done. Duke was, well… a Duke! I could go on and on but the point is, he’s gone now. Right up to the end he was a gentleman, never cried, whimpered or complained. He chose to take leave for the Rainbow Bridge by his own right, not ours. He spared us the awful decision we would have to make, just lying there, on his blanket looking like he always did, peacefully asleep. Except this time, it was different. He wouldn’t be waking up anymore to have breakfast, or go outside or get his treat. It was a different kind of sleep, the kind God gives to those He love’s the most, a chance to move on to somewhere better, somewhere where he would no longer feel the pain or suffering. A place where he could join up with his brothers and run and bark and enjoy life again. Duke was The Man! And, before another tear falls on my keyboard, I will end my story here. Thankfully, it will never be the end of Duke! We’ll see him again one day, up there bouncing around the clouds, his real forever home.

CHYBA
For the first time in her long career as a Military Working Dog, Chyba lost a battle early Saturday morning. She survived her time in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany and Iraq. However, after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer just seven weeks ago, she has now peacefully crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. She's reunited with the other brave dogs that she worked alongside in detecting drugs, sniffing out explosives, and giving their lives to save others. If You have met Chyba, you saw what a precious spirit she had in spite of the dangers she has faced. Her eyes were gentle and kind. Like so many other soldiers, when she was not standing in harm's way, her face was kind and compassionate. This Wednesday, August 3 at 11:00 AM we'll be holding a brief memorial service at Cricket's Corner Community Dog Park at Rancho Coastal Humane Society (In San Diego County) to honor Chyba. If you are available, we would love for you to join us to pay our respects to our special veteran. If you cannot attend, please pause for a moment to remember Chyba and to offer a prayer for her and all the other Military Working Dogs who serve in silence to keep us free.

GERTIE
My Gertie Girl Almost 4 years ago a feisty little girl came into our lives. A sweet blind baby, someone had tossed out on a busy street to fend for herself. Luckily, she was saved and sent to foster care where we were the luckiest people in the world to have had her in our lives. Being blind never stopped her from doing everything the others did. Most of the time you would never know she was blind. She was a real inspiration to us as well as to all who met her. The pain we feel in losing her will ease but our love and memories, of a wonderful little girl, will always be with us. You are now running free of pain with sister Sunshine and brother Buddy. Rest my beautiful girl. We miss you. Love Always Mom, Daddy and Gidget

Sonny Boy(Woody)
I was adopted by a very big family, all pets. My given name is Woody. I came from Alabama and Memphis. Mom calls me Sonny Boy and I like it. I like all the new things about my life. I have 3 cat sisters and 2 dog brothers. We play in our big safe yard. People come to visit with us, but we also travel to visit others. I love Granny’s. She pets us and serves cookies. Do you know what snow is? It’s white and cold. It’s no fun to play in, but I got to wear my new sweater! I don’t hear so well, but Mom has taught me signals. She stays with me to help and my brothers help too. I love my home, my family, and my Mom. I know they have loved me. Sometimes it’s hard to be deaf, but I would hate to know I wasn’t loved. I’m in heaven now. I wish all of my family lots of love and great big Sonny Boy kisses! Sonny Boy RIP July 14, 2011

SPIKE
Here's the pic of Spike taken last October at the Blessing of the Animals at our church. All of us miss him terribly. It was so much fun to see his personality emerge after we adopted him from AADR. Every dog deserves a chance for a happy forever home. Thanks for allowing us to give Spike that chance. Jane