Orthodogs' Third Annual "Celebration of Life" Event

Final event donation tally:   $3,311

Our dogs in need in a big way so THANK YOU!

If the owners of our special dogs could thank each and every one of you, they certainly would. I have been personally touched by the many donations that have come in for Jesse. There's no greater honor than knowing that her special spirit, that we will treasure forever, has inspired others to want to help our many dogs in need. We've also received several donations in memory of Paola's beautiful Lab Mary who passed away very suddenly earlier this year and much too soon. We've received so many wonderful tributes, I hope you've all had a chance to read all of them. Get some tissue handy first, though.

Thanks again so very much to everyone for supporting us!

Join us during the weeks of May 1-15, 2008 for Orthodogs' Silver Lining Foundation's 2008 Celebration of Life Event. This is our third year for this event and we hope that it will be even bigger and better than last year. Our theme this year is very near and dear to my heart. We're celebrating all those gray muzzles that have touched our hearts over the years with our 'Celebrate The Seniors' event. We hope you'll join us in the fun and help some needy dogs in the process.

The inspiration for this year's Celebrate The Seniors event came from none other than my own senior girl Jesse. As she was snoozing on her super duper comfy bed one evening I looked over at her and wondered just when she had gotten old and I started to think back on all the years she’d been with us. When had time creeped up on us so stealthily and transformed our once black as coal puppy into this majestic dog with her face as white as snow? Jesse spent her entire life with us, coming to us at the age of 6 weeks and leaving us just 3 months shy of her 17th birthday. We watched Jesse grow and grow old over all those years and I wouldn't trade one day of our life with Jesse for anything in the world. We learned so many lessons from her and with her and our time with her was truly a blessing that we will cherish forever. Many of you have experienced life with a senior dog. You watch as the gray starts to develop around the end of their muzzles. Then suddenly it's covering the sides and is working its way up over their eyes and into their ears. The next thing you know their neck is white, then their chest and legs start showing a few gray hairs too and you find yourself looking into a completely different face, although one that still looks back at you with complete adoration. Their walk suddenly becomes a bit slower and more deliberate. But they still love to go on walkies so you find yourself slowing your own pace to match theirs. They can't run as far or as fast to fetch that tennis ball so you pretend that you just can't manage to throw it as far as you used to and you end up playing catch instead of fetch. They love nothing more than to go for those much anticipated car rides but over night it seems that they just can't quite make it up into the SUV anymore so you have to help them. But you make a game out of it so they don't know you're really helping them.

Time goes by so quickly. Your toddler is suddenly a teenager. But the terrible teens seem to quickly slip away. Your teenager is replaced by an adult and you’re wondering where this grown up dog came from. The seasons continue to change and suddenly your adult dog is in her geriatric years. You start to forget some of the earlier days. You find yourself really concentrating to remember the first time she came when you called. Or actually brought that frisbee back to you instead of parading around the yard with it like it was the greatest catch of the day. You can't quite remember when she stopped sleeping on your bed, although it seems like just a few years ago that suddenly there was more space at night and the low snoring was coming from the dog bed on the floor rather than from the place where your feet are supposed to go. But you start to treasure the new memories that you're making every day. The ones that will be closest to your heart as the days continue to fly by. Caring for a senior dog is much like having to take care of your aging parents. They gave you so much for so many years and now it's your turn to return the favor. You don't mind having to bring their meals to them or give them a helping hand to get up and get going. It becomes part of your routine to get up in the middle of the night because you heard them stirring and you think they might need something. You find yourself making excuses not to go on that vacation or even go out for just an evening. Everything that seemed important in life takes a back seat to just sitting and watching your old dog have a relaxing and much deserved after dinner snooze. And sometimes you join her. You just want to spend every moment possible with this amazing dog who over the years has made you laugh, comforted you when you cried, made you feel safe when you heard a strange noise in the house one night, warned you of the dangers of those pesky mailmen, taught the younger dogs that it's not okay to pee inside, put her head on your lap just when you seemed to need it the most, made you get outside even when you really didn't want to, taught you what it means to grow old gracefully, showed you what a lifetime of unconditional love is really all about and made you want to care about another living being more than you care about yourself.

Senior dogs spend their whole lives serving, protecting and loving us. We try to make their lives as happy and comfortable as we possibly can and we hope they know how much we love them and appreciate that they chose us to share their lives with. We try to find ways to repay them for everything they’ve given us but then we realize that that’s all they really want from us is our love, our attention, a nice warm bed by the fireplace and maybe a good chew bone every so often. We find ourselves better for having had the experience of sharing an entire lifetime with a dog and for all the memories that go along with that. So we hope you’ll join OSLF as we pay tribute to all of those amazing dogs who have reached their golden years. Come have some fun and have a 'senior moment' with all of us at OSLF.

Our final event donation tally is  $3,061

Thank you!

2008 "Celebration of Life" Tributes

	On March 15, 2008 the sun rose for the first time in 16 years without Jesse's beautiful face to shine upon. The sun didn't notice but we surely did. Jesse was our first dog and she was our heart and soul dog. We will never be the same without her but we are so much more for having had her in our lives. She graced us with her own brand of sunshine for 16 years and her spirit will light up our hearts forever. We thank you big girl for shining so brightly for so long and for choosing our lives in which to shine.
	In memory of Mary.
	In memory of Annabelle, who left me too soon.
	To my dearest Lacey (August 97 – March 08), I miss you each and every day. You were the sweetest kitty in the world and left me much too early. You are now in the “arms of an angel”. Love, Mom
	In Memory of Kathy's Dear Beagle Sammy: Who even now, as in life, is paying it forward! RIP Sammy ~May 9, 2008~
	For Paola's special girl Mary. May your days be filled with soft couches to lay on, fields of green to romp in, cool streams to wade in and friends who will be by your side for all time. Your journey here was far too short but each day brought memories that will be treasured forever.
	In memory of Little Miss Snickers, who brought so much joy to our lives for almost 13 years.
	For Tasha...
	To my Dearest Angel Casey. You taught me so much about love and laughter. I so miss you. I see your shining star everynight. You can always sleep on mom's bed. You have your wings, be free.
	For our black lab Casey, we love you!
	In memory of Jesse. You must miss her so very much. THANKS for all you do for the doggies!
	Dearest Foxy, my little financial lady, Shula, my beautiful guardian and Luka, my first pudding of a rottie, I send you my love, kisses and cuddles. It was a privilage having you as part of my life.
	In memory of all my power chewers, barkers and droolers who have gone to the Bridge, but especialy in memory of Mary who left us much too soon. Run free. I miss you!
	In memory of Rudy, my friend, my ruppy, my protector, to 14 years of love and service.
	To honor all the dogs I've known and loved but especially my beloved Bevin who will be 13 in July.
	For Ayleen, my sweet 12 1/2 yo Kuvasz girl and her littermate Andor, who became an angel last December . You both were and are my family, my love.
	For Lily.
	In memory of our yellow lab Casey and my dear husband Bill who in 2003 together walked over the Rainbow Bridge.
	For little Bean, who loves and depends on me almost as much as I do him. Just crossing into his senior years, I hope he's with me for many more. And in memory of Jordan, who I missed so very desperately after his sudden passing at 12 years, in 2000. I miss you still, and like to think you still take walks with us sometimes.
	Star Star ~ Feb 15, 1992-May4,2008 ~ RIP my sweet wonderful girl - run with the wind. We love and miss you. ~Jeanne
	In memory of all the ball catchers, hand petters, and cleaner uppers that brought a smile when needed and a tear when leaving.
	In memory of my yellow lab, Taylor Dayne, who shared her 13 1/2 years of life with me. You will always be in my heart and on my mind. I love you, sweet girl. Run happy and free.
	In memory of Comet and Blackie (our kitty) who each gave us more than 16 years of unconditional love. We miss you!
	In tribute to the senior love of my life Brutus, for introducing me to the world of Orthodogs.
	To beloved Titus, Carmen, Muffin, Blackie, Arthur, Max and Dutchess. Your spirits surround me. Tenny balls are in the yard should you wish to retrieve them to the patio.
	In Memory of my sweet lab Lucky and in honor of my 17 1/2 yo senior Maggie May. Devoted doggies through and through. I honor you always!
	In memory of Jesse and in honor of Brenda and Pete. Together, all three of them forged an extraordinary relationship that inspired so many of us. Both Sophie and I understand that love relationship.
	For my senior friends Suzie, Mugsy and Rastus -- thank you for your love!
	In memory of AMBER, July 7th 1985 - January 22nd 2001, our sweetie who we will always miss. ~Trish M.