The Passing

Last week we learned of the passing of Peaches' original owner and, while I didn't know him, I was saddened to receive the news.  Peaches' story is a good example of how not all rescue dogs had bad lives before coming into rescue.  She wasn't abused, she wasn't abandoned, she wasn't unloved. 

Peaches was dearly loved by her owner, Dave.  She was well cared for, well trained, and very loved.  And I am sure that she loved him.  But Dave suffered some health issues and had to go into a temporary nursing facility for care and he had nowhere for her to go.  He asked a friend to care for her while he was away, but his friend couldn't keep a dog at his home and lived 20 miles away.  Don made an effort to visit Peaches several times a day so that she could remain in her home and be there when Dave returned, but Dave's stay in the facility was longer than expected and it became too hard for both of them.  Don believed that Peaches deserved a better life.   He could tell that even if Dave made it home from the nursing facility, he wouldn't be able to care for Peaches when he returned.  So Don made the decision to take Peaches to the local shelter. 

I know that this decision was not an easy one for Don to make.  He knew how much she meant to Dave and Don also loved Peaches.  He left a lovely note with Peaches when he brought her to the shelter and asked if it would be possible for whomever took her in to reach out to him via email with updates.  He wanted to be sure she was happy.

I have exchanged several emails with Don over the months as he reached out to check-in on Peaches so that he could give Dave updates. He never told Dave that Peaches had cancer...he only shared the good things that were happening in her life so that Dave would know that she was happy and loved. 

I had hoped that at some point we might be able to get together with Dave so that he and Peaches could see each other again, but Don thought it would be too painful for Dave.  I'm sad that Peaches never got the opportunity to say goodbye to someone she had loved.  I'm sad Dave did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to Peaches; I can only imagine how hard it was for him.  But it is nice to know that when Peaches leaves us, there will be someone there to greet her and very happy to see her.  And I know she will be happy to see him too.  Rest in Peace, Dave.  I promise to care for our girl through all the tough times and love her until the very end, until you are reunited.