Time goes by...and time can mean so much

Ah, Wil....so hard to believe it has been a year on October 2nd, that
you went to the Rainbow Bridge to be with Max, Muffin & Marilyn's boy
Leo. There isn't a time that I take Pookie and Mr. Lee out in the courtyard for a walk that I don't remember how you loved to go there and look around....and the picture that I have of you near the fence, standing in a show like "stack" position, the sun on your back.....
I will write to your Mom Marilyn as I know her heart must be aching for you too, as mine is. Just remember, big guy, we will all meet again someday where there is no sickness or sorrow....only sunshine, only love.
Please know that until then, we love you (yeah, even Mr. Lee) and we miss you....and we remember you as being the gentlest of souls, the kindest of boys.....I miss you putting your head on my knee every night at 11 PM to remind me in your gentle way it was time for a walk.
I will always, always love you.

Wilby stars in a new children's book!

Mom always goes a little bit above with her excitement....I don't really "star" in this book, but my picture is there, and it's one featured here on Dogster.
The new book is by author Debra Cheehy and illustrated by Carol Hilliard. It's called "I Like Dogs" published by Four Foot Press. There's a website which is www.ilikedogs.org. The book is about the right way to adopt a dog and the promises each new owner should be ready to make to their new four footed family member.
Mom says it's great for kids AND adults; it's a sweet, engaging story about a lady named Amanda who meets seven dogs from the animal shelter (one of which is an Old English Sheepdog) and says, "I will rescue you all!" Then she finds them new homes, all except one who she keeps.
This isn't a commercial, really......just some praise and a recommendation to check out the book. You won't be sorry. Its just wonderful!!!!
Mom says since I am at the Bridge now, this book is kind of my legacy.
That makes mom feel good and it makes me feel good to!
I know both mom Marilyn and Mom Carol miss me terribly, but I want them both to know I'm watching over them and I will always remember the love and care they gave me.

From the Bridge of Rainbows

Today, October 2, 2008, at 10:10 AM, Wilby crossed over the Rainbows
Bridge. He fought a valiant, brave battle against Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia but could just not get into a good remission.
His new mom Marilyn wrote a beautiful tribute to him that I will write here:

Wonderful, he was simply wonderful
In heaven is where he is.
Love that he gave was the purest
Ben efitted those who knew and loved him with his presence.
Young at heart he was until the end.

Wilby was met by a welcoming committee of some really wonderful
dogs.......Max, Logan Benwizzen, Muffin, Winston.....just to name a
few.

He will be mourned by both of his moms, Carol & Marilyn. He will
always be joyously remembered for his sweet and wonderful nature,
his loving kind self; his sense of joy and humor, and his love of life that
went on no matter what.

You got your wings, beautiful boy. And we'll meet up again. We love you Wil.....then, now, and always.
Your moms, Carol & Marilyn

Autumn

Just to let my visitors know, I am stable with the IMHA once again.
Took a nosedive because they took me off steroids (wrong diagnosis)
and all the prayers and good thoughts brought me back again.
Things are kinda slipping down a bit....my bad hips are giving me
the heck of a time, despite being on steroids. My new mom says I
am losing weight. The eyes are getting dim.....gee, who said that "old age is not for sissies." ?? I think it was the old movie star Bette Davis.
Anyhoo....I'm hanging in the best I can. I have two moms who love
me and lotsa friends. I know I'm in the autumn of my life, but I'm gonna
do the best I can. I just want to remind both my moms that love never
says goodbye. We will all remember the good times and all the love.
Especially, all the love!

Needed: Puppy Dog Prayers!

Mom got a letter from my new mom today, and the news is not good.
Seems my red blood cell count and platelet count is very, very low.
They're doing tests, but I've definitely got a severe anemia and it is
probably the dreaded Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. They gave
me some steroids and I rallied some, but the count is dropping again.
I think it's time for some serious puppy dog prayers! Both my Moms are very sad, and of course, me too. I know my new mom will do her best for me, no matter what that is. I'm not scared to pack up and leave to the
Bridge because my brother Max is there, and Muffin too. I would prefer to stick around for a bit with my new Mom as she just lost her boy Leo before I came to her, and that's too much grief in a short time.
So, pals, if you're out there and reading this, bark a few prayers in God's
direction. I'd surely appreciate it!
And for both my moms.....remember, love never says goodbye!

This is just adios, and not goodbye

I have a new home now. I'm with a very sweet lady who loves me and
can afford to take care of me. She's younger than my mom, stronger so
she can handle a big guy like me.
I know my long time mom is grieving, still. It was a long and a hard decision
for her to let Old English Sheepdog Rescue place me again, after five long
and loving years with her & Pookie, and even the Flufinator who tried so
hard to intimidate me. I'll never forget those two little guys, especially
Pookie, who I'll always love.
Mom thought long and hard about getting me. She did everything right.
She feels terrible because the one thing she couldn't do is see the future
or guess that getting older would be so hard on her. I'd just like to tell her
not to grieve or beat up on herself. She always did the best for me, and
letting me go live with this wonderful lady who really needs me....that was
the best, too. I know Mom was thinking of taking my page down but found
she just couldn't do it. She felt it was only fair cuz I belonged to another now.
Hey, Mom, it's like you said when we parted: "I'm going to leave Wil's page
on Dogster up........because, no matter what, I'll always be his mom. And
he will always be my big guy."
Remember that, Mom. Like that song says, "This is just adios, and not goodbye." We shared five good years. That's a lot of love.
Yours forever, Wilby