IN MEMORY

In July of 1994, and while we were still in Southlake, Texas, I received a call from a lady that had rescued a little dog she found running down the side of Hwy. 199, the Jacksboro Hwy., in Azle, Texas. This was not the place he needed to be and evidentially, he knew it because when she had barely come to a stop and opened her car door, he jumped right in. She lived in an apartment that did not allow pets and since it was so hot, she wouldn’t leave him outside so she began calling around to find somewhere she could take him that he wouldn’t be “put to sleep”. She found Animal Angels and we agreed to take him in.

Scottie appeared to be a cross between a Sheltie and probably a terrier of some kind. He only weighed about 12 lbs. He had a short, brownish tan or cinnamon coat. Very cute and personable and extremely loving. Oh yes, as you might suspect, he was not neutered but a trip to the vet would take care of that. The vet guessed his age to be around five or six years and we also discovered he had heartworms. He got treated for the heartworms, neutered and vaccinated. It would be several months before he could be adopted so he joined the growing number of dogs that called Animal Angels home.

Scottie fit right in and while he was very laid back and loved to play, he could hold his own when it came to claiming and keeping his place on the couch, size not withstanding. Everyone learned to respect him. He was never intrusive and would kind of sit back and watch what was going on. That’s not to say that when he saw the chance, he wouldn’t jump up in an empty lap. When he had recovered from heartworms and was ready to be adopted, everyone fell in love with him at once but when they found out he was no spring chicken, they backed out. People want a dog that is going to outlive them or one that is younger. As it turned out, their loss would be my gain. Anyhow, time passed and Scottie became a permanent resident along with others that had not been adopted for one reason or another.

In October of 2000, just after we moved to our sanctuary outside Jacksboro, I noticed Scottie was losing weight and was passing pink urine. To the vet we went. My worse fears were confirmed, little Scottie had cancer. The vet said after blood tests and with the symptoms he had, it was already well along and given his advanced age, treatment would only prolong his suffering. At this time, he was still eating and was not in pain so we brought him home. He had always slept on the bed but now he leaked urine when he slept so I simply got a rubber sheet and placed it under him so he could continue to sleep near me and with his buddies.

On December 14,2000, our little Scottie passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by love. He went to join all the others that had gone on before, and they are waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. He is buried at “Angels Rest”, our little cemetery down the hill, along with Monday May, Peg and Albert. He is there with many others that, while not buried there, their precious spirits abide in our “Garden of Memories”.

Carole Sanders