IN MEMORIUM

Our Co-Founder ABBY

About 4 years ago when I was volunteering
with an all breed rescue, we got a call from animal control that they had a little tri
color female chi with a bad heart murmur and would our group consider New
Hoping her. A volunteer went to the pound picked her up, took her to one of their
vets to be evaluated. The vet said that she had Congestive Heart Failure but, with
proper care, could probably live another 2 to 5 years so she was New Hoped.

At that time I had no use for Chihuahuas and thought of them as little nippy, noisy
things. I had some friends who were going to foster her so delivered her to them. I
paid little attention to her as I only liked medium and large dogs. They named her
Abby. She was with them a couple of weeks when she had a skin condition, their
sitter thought it was ring worm so said either get rid of her or the sitter would quit.
They called me, there was no room in any home so I agreed to foster her. My two
sons share a bathroom that used to be a utility room so is about 6 feet by 8 feet. I
told them she would share their bathroom and they would have to walk her as I
could not let her in the rest of the house because our big dogs would eat her. That
went well for one day. On the second day, no one was around but me so I went into
the bathroom to take her for a walk, found myself chatting with her and slowly
developed a very deep love for her and a total love for the breed. By the 3rd day I
asked my kids to help me integrate her into the family. No problem - this little lady
became the boss of the big dogs and of us too. Abby was a tri color and so strong
willed and very smart.

Along came Michele and Rob who wanted to adopt her. They had lost their young
Chihuahua, Taz to a snake and Abby looked a lot like an older version of Taz. They
fostered Abby for a short while. Turns out, Michele's other chihuahuas were not so
accomadating to Abby so back to my house she came. But Michele and I bonded
over Chihuahuas during this time.

I remember when I went back to their home to pick her up, Rob said that I would
end up keeping her. I thought he was wrong but he was not. I agreed to sanctuary
her for the other rescue group. As Michele and I worked together eventually
forming ACR, I asked to adopt her from the other group as I was leaving them and
wanted to make sure Abby would always be with us. Abby was our little dumpster
diving chi hootie. She would somehow get onto the top of the washing machine,
then make a dramatic leap into the garbage can to see if there was any good stuff in
there to nibble on. If the can was empty and she landed in an empty bag she would
"chatter" angrily so one of us would hear her and get her out. She gave us many
laughs.

For about a year or so she had not been able to do her dumpster diving. Many
times I thought she was going to leave us but she would rebound. She seemed to
want to live and I was not going to change that. Often she would have trouble
breathing as her lungs were very diseased but she never missed a meal and her
output was okay. In the last six months she seemed to age a lot, her muzzle got
very gray, her vision and hearing were not good and often she would potty in the
house. I did not care as I was just grateful that she could still pee and poop.

About a week before she died I had a nice private chat with her. I told her about all
my early feelings and how knowing her changed my opinion of chihuahuas. I also
told her she did not need to hang around unless she wanted to, that I would be
okay. Then I told her how many lives she had been responsible for saving and how
proud she should be of herself. Through Abby, Michele and I met and Az Chi
Rescue was started.

AN ABBY STORY FROM BARB'S DAUGHTER:

A few years ago I was visiting my family, I'm from Tucson, for Thanksgiving. When
we were all done eating I had gotten up to help Mom clear the table and throw the
trash away. Well I had a huge surprise, because there was Abby sitting on top of the
trash in the garbage can, munching on a huge drumstick. You have to understand
that Abby had to do some climbing to get into it. As far as I figured, she had
climbed onto the dog food, didn't want that, got onto the counter and then jumped
over the gate into the trash can. I thought I'd just take it away from her, but for such
a small dog, she was doggone strong. I ended up taking the drumstick and her out
of the trash, and she was just hanging on with her mouth and wouldn't let go. I kept
her over the floor close enough so when she finally let go, she wouldn't get hurt. I
so wish I had a picture of that moment, but will always remember what a tough and
resourceful little bugger she was, and will miss her terribly!

IN MEMORIUM

ANGIE

Angie was a cute little girl. She came to us from
the Arizona Humane Society because she had a large tumor or ulcer of some sort. It
was the size of a tennis ball. Angie was about 6 years young. She lived out her last
days with comfort and love from her foster family. She will be missed. Now she is
tumor free at the Rainbow Bridge!

ANNABELLE

sweet annabelle. we are sorry you had to go...we will see you soon at the bridge. we love you.

APONI
If you are wondering Aponi means" butterfly" in native american. I came to Az chihuahua rescue as a owner turn in to the Az humane Society. They realized that they could not care for me properly so they made a hard decision. I was 7 years old and I was long hair Chihuahua and Papillion mix. I came to the rescue coughing and wheezing and just having a very hard time, so they took me to the vet where I was diagnosed with valley fever and congestive heart failure.

Sadly Aponi has passed on. We will take solace in knowing that he had a good home before going to the Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

ARTIE

Artie was a special little boy that was a 2 year
old Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix with beautiful green eyes. He was a very energetic.
Artie has a sad story. He came to us from an extremely overcrowded shelter in
Southern California. He was adopted and returned to that shelter. He has
been in two foster homes in our group because he is fearful. He will be forever in
our hearts and hopefully he is romping it up with the other little dogs at the
Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

BEAU

Mr. Beauregard came to me from Animal
Control when he was 10 years old. The people were moving and didn’t want to take
him. He was scared to death!!! Poor Beau Beau went from foster home to foster home,
was adopted once but returned two weeks later because he got into a fight with the
adoptive mom’s peke. So, week after week Mr. Beauregard would go to PetsMart to be
adopted, and every week, he would come back home with me. My husband used to tell
him, “That’s okay Beau, if you don’t get adopted you can stay here.” Well, I guess Beau
Beau took that to heart and decided he was not leaving our house!!! There were times
when people would come to meet him, and then he’d get nasty on them and turn
around and bite them!! Not the way to get adopted Beau Beau!!

Well, Mr. Beau never did leave our house and so he became part of the family (not that
he wasn’t already). Beau Beau stayed with us for three years. He could be a little
grouchy at times, and only bit a couple of people over the three years. When people
would come over he would bark and bark and act like he was going to tear them up and
the next thing you knew, he was sitting in their lap!! He loved to go for walks. When I
would come home from work I would sit down on the couch and he would get on the
back of the couch and lay behind me with his head resting on my shoulder.

Mr. Beau Beau passed away last month from congestive heart failure. I miss my Beau
Beau and I can’t sit down on the couch without thinking of him. He will always be in
my heart and I know he’s up there with his friend Trixie and with my husband, having
a good time!!!

Char

BENNY

Sadly Benny has passed on. We will take solace in knowing that he had a good home before going to the Rainbow Bridge.

BETSY

We did not have Betsy for long. She came to us with massive mammory tumors.

We will take solace in knowing that she was in good hands and with loving hearts before going to the Rainbow Bridge.

BREWSTER

Brewster was about 7 yrs old. He was a sweet
boy. When Brewster whined he sounded either like a lamb or a chick. Unfortunately this
could have been from a botched debarking surgery.

Sadly Brewster has passed on. We will take solace in knowing that he had a good home
before going to the Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

CANDEE AND COOKIE

These two beautiful souls have crossed the
rainbow bridge. they will be remembered forever.

IN MEMORIUM

CHELSEA

Chelsea was a beautiful purebred chihuahua.
Her coat was an unusual brown brindle on which everyone remarked. She had large
expressive ears and big brown sad-looking eyes. Those eyes had seen so much;
human neglect, a filthy, loud environment and litter after litter plucked from her
side. She came to Arizona Chihuahua Rescue in March of 2008 from a Tucson
puppy mill. Although she was only about 3 years old, her tiny four-pound body was
worn from having so many litters.

Chelsea-Mama as we came to call her was absolutely "Mother of the Year" in her
foster Mom's book. During the raid on the puppy mill, there were so many dogs and
so many litters it was impossible to know which pup went with which Mom. Chelsea
wound up with pups from three litters. She cared for each puppy exquisitely. Once,
another Mom had an emergency hysterectomy and Chelsea cared for her pup too. At
one point, this tiny, selfless dog had nine pups! She never left their sides until they
were old enough see, eat, and walk around on her own. She had to be hand-fed
supplements and lots of food to keep up her metabolism caring for such a large
brood!

Chelsea even appeared with her pups on a Channel 3 news segment shown
nationwide about the puppy mill. She was a real advocate for canine rights!

When Chelsea first came to my home, she was very frightened. She had not had
human contact and had never lived inside a home. She was used to a barn and
extreme temperatures. She shook with fear when a human came near her, but
despite her fear, stayed close to her pups. Gradually, I was able to touch and pet
her. When her pups were bigger, she started learning what it was like to be a pet;
treats, love, a pretty pink collar and her very own dog bed. The first day she trusted
me enough to crawl up next to me on the couch for attention was very special.

Tragically, Chelsea died undergoing anesthesia for her spay. It is possible she was a
puppy mill dog herself and had some underlying health condition about which we
did not know. She will long be remembered as a dog who overcame much and still
was able to show and receive love. She will always be Mother of the Year to me.

IN MEMORIUM

CHICO

Handsome Chico has crossed the rainbow
bridge. He will be remembered forever. If anyone ever made a movie about "Grumpy
Old Chis" Chico could have played the lead role. Except for his foster mom he "talked
badly" to everyone and every other pet. In spite of his attitude there was something
very lovable about him.

CICI

Sadly CiCi has passed on. We will take solace in knowing that she had a good home before going to the Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

CINDY
Sadly, Cindy has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She will be
forever happy there and we will see her again someday.

My name is Cindy (short for Cinderella) my foster mom said
she would make a princess out of me and now I feel like a princess. I was left in a
cage outside Casa Grande Animal Control overnight and it was very scary. I was 24
lbs and could hardly stand up. Now I am down to a svelte 19 lbs and still losing
weight. (See the before and after photos)

I am a 10 year old Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix. My foster mom takes me for walks
and swimming. I even have my own life jacket. We went to a pet rehabilitation
specialist for a while but now we are doing fine alone. I love to be petted and I like
to sleep with my foster mom. I can use the stairs to get on and off the bed. I really
don't ask for much and I am never pushy. I am ready to find my forever home with a
family who will love me and keep me on a diet. Are you looking for a really sweet
girl in your life? As Mae West said, "Come on up and see me!!" I could be your new
family member.



CINDY BEFORE:













CINDY AFTER:

IN MEMORIUM

COWBOY

Cowboy crossed the Rainbow bridge knowing Love. That I can assure you. He went knowing love, a home, respect and being wanted. In one week I fell in love with him. I tried so hard to help him, and in the end, I couldn't. The Doctors at Foothills were so kind, and had been checking on him with me. In the end he was seizing so bad that he was suffering and I couldn't let that continue. He was walking around, bumping into things, and didn't know where he was. They do not know what was wrong. His liver enzymes were high, so they think he had a liver stent or distemper, or even may have had rabies.

Goodbye Cowboy. You were with me physically for a week, but will be with me forever.

Sandra

IN MEMORIUM

CRAIG

Craig was a sweet and loving 4 month old guy.
Whom loved everyone. He was a joy to foster and a real joy to love. Unfortunately god
choose him to join him sooner than later. Craig crossed the rainbow bridge. We love
you little man and will miss you. Rest in peace little one.

DAISY

Daisy came to stay almost three years ago, after being found living under a trailer in a makeshift trailer park. Her owner had gone into a facility and no one was available to take this adorable older girl. Daisy was the queen bee in her foster home and always had a lot to say to to her foster mom...after all, someone has to keep on top of things! Daisy had some pretty serious heart issues and those issues finally overcame her will to live. She finally asked to go over the Rainbow Bridge. Daisy, you will be missed; until we meet again...

IN MEMORIUM

DAKOTA

Dakota was only 8 weeks old when God called
him to come back home.
Apparently He needed an adorable puppy by his side. Your mom, two
sisters and foster family will miss you terribly. But now you can
run free forever, and that is all we can ask for. I am just thankful
that never had to know the conditions that your mom came from.

IN MEMORIUM

DUFFY

Duffy was a beautiful dog. She came to AZ Chihuahua Rescue, from a local breeder whose health was failing.

Originally staying with another foster mom, Duffy came into my home several months ago, joining her other "relatives" Betsie and Polly.

Duffy was fighting a heart condition, but recently started losing the fight. Today she left this world and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Duffy is greatly missed, but she is now free and comfortable and healthy.

Linda M.

IN MEMORIUM

FAWNA

Fawna passed away 1/5/2009

She escaped from her new home in Kingman the day they brought her home. For
three weeks, this brave girl sought shelter from the cold & predators; she scrounged
for food, and managed to live her new strange life on the streets for 3 weeks.

Despite the attempts of her two foster homes driving the 3 hours up to Kingman on
different days several times, she could not be found.

Fawna tried to make her way home when a car finally took her life……….

Fawna’s Journey began in a puppy mill were she stayed a prisoner of greed and
cruelty for years, never knowing what it was like to be loved. Finally, someone cared
enough to save her and she made her way to Arizona into the home of a wonderful
foster named Linda who began the painful process of teaching Fawna how to be a
dog. Fawna made great strides at Lindas with only one little fault and that was a
jealousy over Lindas personal Chihuahua. So Fawna was moved into my home where
I continued Lindas great work. I will not go into detail but here is the closing letter I
wrote to Fawna the day after passing:

My dearest Fawna,

You came into my home with fear and doubt in human kind. You trusted me not to
hurt you and believed in me enough to allow me to crack through that shell of
doubt and pain. Underneath I found a beautiful soul with kind eyes and I eventually
saw a smile on your face.

How brave you were to do this. How happy you were to find out how wonderful a
kind hand could be. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity of being one of the
chosen to show you how loving the world could be.

I truly thought I have found your forever home and instead you were left cold and
alone in a world so big and scary, I am so sorry. I really hope you thought of me
because I thought of you every signal day.

I did go looking for you and hopefully for that short time I was close you could feel
the love I felt for you. Hopefully I did not cause you pain through my own and if I
did I am sorry.

I truly admire your will to live and will continue to regret not going up that last day
to try just one more time for that I am sorry.

Fawna your journey was one of mostly downs. I pray that the short time you were
with me it was filled with more happiness then you ever expected and you passed
with those wonderful days in your heart.

You will not be forgotten Fawna and I will miss you so very very much.

Love forever,
Stacey

IN MEMORIUM

GRIZZLY

He was a sanctuary dog that came to me along
with his friend PeeWee. They were rescued by dachshund rescue from a hoarder that
was evicted. Since the two chis were so old, the hoarders were going to turn them out
into the desert. I was just going to transport them, but somehow, PeeWee found his
forever home with Joyce and Grizzly stayed. I think after a careful inspection,
he found the beds soft, the larder full and the staff adequate.

When I got him, he was only as wide as his spine. His teeth were so rotted that he had
holes in his gums where they used to be. He wouldn't eat. I took him to the vet and
found he had pancreatitis. I found a food at the local feed store he would eat if I
mashed it up.

Slowly he regained his appetite and gained weight. His hair went from a dry, orange
color with bald spots to a soft, thick reddish brown. He loved sleeping on his dog bed
in a spot of sunshine. When he was annoyed (which was often), he would put his ears
back like a cat. He pretended like he didn't like to be picked up and held, but I think
secretly he enjoyed it. When the puppies annoyed him or it was bathtime he would
"bite"(he had no teeth). He was a grumpy old man, but I caught him actually running,
wagging his tail and playing with the other dogs when he thought no one was looking.
We loved him and he loved us back in his own way.

It was a joy to see him regain his health and learn that not all humans are bad. Though
we knew he had a bad heart we wish he could have stayed longer.

IN MEMORIUM

HERMES/FONT>

What do you say to a little guy who is from a puppy mill. A little guy so scared of everything even his own shadow. So scared he made everyone and everything his enemy. He was never given a chance, discarded from the mill as of not quality and unwanted right there from the beginning.

But my kids and I got to know Hermes. To us he was a trooper, a fighter, but deep down inside we thought there was a side of hope, so we thought.

In the 3 1/2 months my kids and I fostered him, we learned that time, space and patience was what he needed. Unfortunately time could not be long enough, Hermes's strong will, lack of love, attention, a kind heart and hand just came to late. His over whelming life of a mill dog could not change his heart. To him life was always going to be a battle. And his strong will was not going to change. But do not feel sorry for him or think less of him. He learned to be a dog by learning to play with the other fosters, he loved to play with toys, I remember the first time we gave them to him, he thought what do I do with this, then within hours that was the greatest. He loved carrots. And did accept the kids and me as part of the clan though we could not be too close to him, he was always happy to see us. And he sure knew that 6am meant breakfast time and soon became our alarm clock.

So even though he learned to accept some things, he just had way too much more to overcome so our beloved Hermes was put at ease.

He now can live a life he deserves over the rainbow bridge A life of love and hope and fun. And I do so hope he meets me at that bridge when the time comes for me to cross that happy-go-lucky bridge. For I hold my head high and proud to call him my family.

Rest in Peace our beloved Hermes. We will always carry you in our hearts and will always love you so.

Love,
Jenn, Brittany and Dakota

IN MEMORIUM

HONEY

Sweet little Honey has crossed the rainbow bridge.
she will be remembered forever.

JACK-JACK AND NIKKI

These little ones were not with us long. But we will sure to see them someday at The Rainbow Bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

KATIE

My Dearest Katie,

I just wanted you to know that in the short 8 months we had you, we
loved you for a lifetime. You were my little sweetheart & I will never
forget how you laid your tiny head on my chest whenever I held you or
how you danced circles each time I came home from work. You shared
your time with me & I shared my love with you. My only consolation is
that you are now free from pain & free from all of life's inequities.
I miss you so much & pray for the day I will see you again.

Love & Hugs,

Anita

IN MEMORIUM

KIP

Sweet, sweet Kip has crossed the rainbow bridge.
he will be in our hearts forever.

IN MEMORIUM

KIWI

Kiwi was only with us for a week. She was so
neglected and just could not overcome. She spent her last week with the comfort of
shelter, love and lots of food!!!

LILLY
It is with much sadness that I type about the passing of my dear little dog Lilly (Pad).

We rescued Lilly from an animal shelter in December 2009 & when I first looked into her eyes, I could honestly feel how lost she was. Her only saving grace were the 4 other dogs who were dropped off at the shelter with her by the same careless owner who abandoned them when their "breeding" days were over.

Lilly was "estimated" at being 9 years old but judging by her movements & lack of teeth - most had just fallen out from being so rotten - I estimated her to be 13 or possibly older. A lifetime of litters and later the harshness of living outdoors had just left her little body battled & broken.

We only had Lilly for a short 6 months but in that time, she became a fan of home cooking, a clean warm bed, nice gentle baths & constant hugs & kisses. Lilly (along with her "sister" Tilly Jo) was my first senior foster dog & I can only say that I wish I had another 13 years with her. What I gave her in that short amount of time hopefully made up for part of what she had to endure in her lifetime.

Rest in peace my lovely Lilly until I see you again. I will always remember your beautiful cream colored coat, your quiet, guarded nature & your love of my cooking, even when you could no longer walk - you always made sure you finished your plate :)

Vaya Con Dios

Anita

IN MEMORIUM

LOLA

Even though beautiful Lola never had the opportunity to overcome her neglect and bear her babies, she deserves to be remembered and not just discarded. She had already passed, when the rescue picked her up, but an attempt was made to save any possible living pup(s). This was not meant to be.

Lola, I am so sorry we were not called in time.

Now you can run free, without further suffering.

IN MEMORIUM

MAGGIE MAY

Maggie May A.K.A. Maggie Shaggy Bottoms A.K.A. Chewbacca came to us around two years ago. I got a call from Barb at the AZ Chihuahua Rescue and was asked if I could pick up this little old lady Chihuahua at the pound. She had been found wandering the streets of Phoenix. Maggie was on the e-list and would be put down if the rescue didn’t come get her. When I picked her up she was a scruffy looking little thing covered in mats and poo and smelled to high heaven, so in the tub she went as soon as we got home. I used lots and lots of shampoo. She was not happy about the bath or the hair cut but we both felt better when it was over. And man did she smell better. After a vet appointment determining that she was pretty much old as dirt, had to have most of her teeth extracted, and didn’t see very well, my husband and I decided to keep her. “)

Maggie was a funny girl that liked to keep mostly to her self. As our house guests discovered, she had commandeered the spare room as her own and would “allow” our house guests to share it with her. She would then cough and sputter about the room at night reminding all that she was being put out.

Maggie loved to be outside she would roll around in the grass and when you went to bring her in she would run ahead of you with her tongue hanging out and tail spinning in a windmill circle.

She was a loud requester of breakfast and dinner and this is when you would hear her bark and she stated her demands very strongly.

Maggie was not a lap dog. She was not very social. She did not come running in excitement when you came home, but she was sweet and always ready to give you a lick on the hand in return for a scruff on the neck. She had a calm, pleasant and funny way about her and we loved her and we will miss her very much.

MISSY

Missy was my first foster and she came from a
breeder, who decided that she was too old to have puppies anymore, she was 9 years
old. She was a little shy at first and then she found her personality. She had been
debarked but she had a way of letting you know exactly what she wanted. Missy
bonded to me and would stiffen and panic if anyone else tried to pick her up or take
her away from me. We decided that she would be a sanctuary dog and just stay with
me. I had Missy for 2 years when she developed a severe heart condition. She struggled
for a month but could not overcome the condition. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge in
July 2008. She will always be missed but I know we will meet at the bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

MONICA

This is a little girl that came to us and we only
had her for a couple of days, before she had to be euthanized, due to extreme
paralysis to her back section.

We wish we had more time with sweet Monica, but now she is running free!

***IN MEMORIUM***NEW
FOSTER

This little guy is about 10 yrs old according to
animal control. He could be younger because he is in such bad shape it's hard to tell
his true age. He is basically skin and bones right now so he is a little nippy when you
handle him but that may be because of pain from malnutrition. I think he has the
potential to be a very nice dog when he is healthy. His right ear has several healed
lacerations and tears and his left ear is either deformed or destroyed from fighting or
abuse. He has some healed scarring on his nose and upper lip, right side. His hearing
appears to be intact as he responds to sound. He also may have limited vision in his
left eye. A true assessment is difficult at this time due to nutritional status. He has a
broken right k-9 and is missing some of his front upper teeth. He is white with a very
dull coat due to malnutrition. He is lethargic at this time with an unstable gait. He is
urinating and has normal bowel movements, he takes water and food when offered. I
believe he is dehydrated as his skin turger is very poor, however he is voiding pale
yellow urine so his hydration is improving. He is an intact male as he is unable to be
neutered at this time due to health issues. He received his first vacs and rabies 3-4-
09. I do not believe this dog will be adoptable for at least 30-45 days depending on
how well he responds to treatment. However, he seems to be responding well at this
time to feeding and medication.

Unfortunately this poor little soul could not make it past his problems. Now, he is safe
and beautiful over at the Rainbow Bridge. God rest his little soul.

PEE WEE

My beloved PeeWee crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He had come into the rescue from a hoarder’s house a little more than 3 years ago. He was only 3 lbs, almost hairless and had lost most of his bottom jaw. He quickly became my Velcro dog and was my first foster adoption (not a failure) It didn’t take long for him to put weight on and get some hair back. He just needed someone to feed him with a spoon. He was a joy to be around and loved to “dress-up” I can just see him in his Rolling Stone’s tee shirt and overalls. Helen’s favorite was his “underdog” tee shirt, complete with cape. He could always make me laugh. He had a good life for the time he was with me and he gave me all the love he had. To say he will be missed is just an understatement. I know he will be waiting at the bridge for me, with my other dogs that have gone before.

IN MEMORIUM

PEGGY SUE

Dear Peggy Sue,
When you came to us, you were sad, alone and confused and very much neglected. We took you in and gave you love and affection and treated medically. Hoping we could help you. But it was just not enough.

Now your spirit will rest in peace. An your two daughters Miss Muffet and Thumbellina will have you to guide them in the happy meadow. And Bo Peep will carry on your legacy.

Never think that I did not love you for words could not dEscribe how much i did love you. I would have moved heaven and earth if that would of helped. You brought something special to my heart as do all my fosters.

Remember to guide me from time to time for there are times I will need it, to help me guide my fosters who will come and go.

I love you my little angel. Rest in peace little one.
Love always your Mom (Jenn)

PHANTOM

Phantom came to Arizona from Texas, with a
carload of other suddenly homeless dogs. He was an older guy who had some medical
problems related to his age. He lived his remaining days with good food, a yard to
explore, a lap in which to curl up and lots of love. This handsome dog is sorely
missed, but is now free of pain.

PHINNEAS

Phinneas came to us from the Yuma Humane
Society. He had bad Valley Fever. He was starting to turn around but could not
overcome the disease. Our dear little phinneas passed away on 1/24/08.

IN MEMORIUM

PUNKIN

It is with great sorrow that I share that our wonderful dog "Punkin, aka Padunk-a-dunk, aka Dunkin donuts, aka Fergielicous" passed away this morning.

She was a wonderful dog that came to us later in her life and having already endured lifes harder side....

These are pictures to you can see how much she LOVED life and smiled to show just how much.

She was a dog that enjoyed the simple pleasures and taught us all to walk a little more slowly so you could enjoy the ride......

god bless her soul in heaven.

RAJAH

With Heavy hearts, we regret to have to tell you
that Rajah has passed away. He contracted the parvo virus and couldn't pull through.
We will always have a huge place in our hearts for this little guy.

IN MEMORIUM

ROSIE

Tiny Rosie was not with us long. But she was loved and in good care while she was. She will be missed. See you at the Rainbow Bridge, Rosie!

SCRUFFY

April 2003-Dec 11th, 2008
Today My first foster whom I adopted had to be put to sleep. He had cancer and in
the last week it progressed extremely fast. The pain was to great so today the kids
and I along with Brittany's boyfriend and Linda M, we all held him until her crossed
the rainbow bridge.

For those of you who did not know Scruffy, he did not get his name from cute and
scruffy. He got it cause he would scruff with the best.He was one of a kind kinda a
guy one minute he would love ya to death the next try to eat ya,that would go for
the other dogs too. But we saw something and adopted him.His best bud was
Captain Jack our pug whom when we went to leave would not go in the house he
knew and fought his hardest to go to but we made him go in the house. Jack and
Scruffy would play for hours at the dog park when we would get to go. Scruffy loved
laying in the sun to bathe he did not care that it was 111 degrees outside he would
fight all the way not to go in.He never liked any part of his body but the top of his
back touched and if you tried to he would get ya. And well he went out with a bang
too took us almost an hour just to sedate him. Scruffy came to Az Chihuahua rescue
as a owner turn in, they found him a year ago but when they moved they could not
take him so his first foster was Bunny and Mike and well they just could not tolerate
his issues, actually he was too big for there home so Barb asked me if I would try
him as my first foster. We got to love and cherish him for 2 1/2 years. He was our
pistol but we sure loved and are going to miss him dearly.

Our way if loving him was to say hey we love you, ya grumpy Scruffles, but we are
ending your suffering. Guide us to be strong for the other dogs that come into are
life. And I hope you have a blast cross that rainbow bridge, but behave. We love you
Scruffenator.

Love, Mom (Jenn), Brittany, Dakota, Captain Jack, Ava, Rhonda, Rocky, Sweetpea,
(she will miss you barking at her) Desert and Storm.

SWEETNESS

SADLY, SWEETNESS HAS CROSSED OVER TO THE RAINBOW BRIDGE. HER SWEET LITTLE
FACE WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH. SHE IS NOW IN A BETTER PLACE.


Sweetness has not had a good life the last few
years. We are not even sure how old she is but the vet says she is over 10. He just
pulled 17 of her teeth as they were very rotten. What we do know is that her prior
owner had to go to a care center a few years ago, then a relative had her until the
relative became ill and then she went to some people who were trying to help out but
did not want a dog. She was very thin and acted depressed when we got her. Now she
is looking and acting much better. Sweetness lives up to her name.

The last 3 days she no longer ate and could not stand anymore. She had a wonderful
Christmas and last day. She laid by the fire all day and we loved her.

SWEETS

Sweets came to AZCR in February of 2008 from a very neglectful home where she had spent the better part of a year locked in a room. She was malnourished and suffering from tick fever. She came to join my family on March 1st, 2008. She was only my second foster and came to us weighing in at about 3 lbs. I could see every bone in her little body. In her eyes I saw a little girl who was badly bruised but not broken. Little did we know, her fight was just beginning, and the damage to her body was extensive. Despite the suffering she endured at the hands of humans, she wanted nothing more than to be around us all the time. She lived up to the name Sweets (or Sweetie Muffin, Sweet Pea, Sweet Baby, and Sweetie Girl as we often interchanged).

In the first few months we nearly lost her several times and she was hospitalized twice. One time in the hospital I went in back while they were treating her and she was so weak she couldn’t move, but she managed to wag her tail just a little when she saw me. That day I decided that if she was going to fight to survive, I would fight with her because she deserved the chance to live a happy life, even if it was to be a short one. We had many ups and downs together and I think Sweets took comfort in the fact that we were together. So, one step at a time we helped her recover. At one point I used a sheet and papoosed her to my body and we spent all my home hours with her touching me. The road was long, but eventually Sweets weighed 6 lbs and was done with the tick fever treatment. Shortly after this we learned she had valley fever and the recovery process started again. Every time she bounced back from the various illnesses she suffered I believed it was because she wasn’t finished enjoying the little things in life she didn’t have before like laps, clean beds, food, friends, and most of all sunshine. She loved the sun, and would be happy just to sit in the sun and have a nice breeze over her all day.


For two years I did everything I could to provide her all the things that made her happy and she fought hard to stay with us and enjoy them. We traveled together, played together, snuggled together, and generally enjoyed each other – she even saw Chicago, and the Grand Canyon, and Santa Fe. In recent weeks she started to slow down. In my head I was preparing myself for what was to come, but I now know that preparing my heart was impossible (she was my bounce-back queen, surely she would bounce back again).

Though she was ready to let go of the fight and leave us behind, we were not ready to see her go. I comfort myself in the idea that she felt that she had shared enough good things in life that she no longer needed to fight to stay here.
Now she is free to run and play and be in the sun all the time. No more fighting, no more pain, no more fear. My tears are for my loss and my pain – I know she is past that now. So, goodbye my Sweetie Muffin, we’ll see you at the bridge.

IN MEMORIUM

TALLULAH

Sweet baby Tallulah has crossed the rainbow
bridge. She was 12 years old and lived her life out as a sanctuary dog on her foster
mother’s pillow. She was very independent. She was content to eat, sleep and be
pampered.

TINK

Tink (aka Tinkerbell) was the smallest of Willow’s
puppies. Unfortunately, little Tink has passed to the Rainbow Bridge. She will always
be remembered for her fearlessness for being so tiny. She was as cute as a bug’s ear.

BREWSTER

In October of 2008, Joyce, Brett
(my youngest son) and I headed to Oklahoma for our first dog auction. In a large barn were many wire crates, piled 3 and 4 high containing over 400 dogs who were from commercial breeders (aka puppy mills). About 1/2 had no water, none had food, some were obviously ill or injured. In one of those cages was Xanadu. We came home with 32 chis jammed in my Xterra. Don't remember what we bid on him but I think we figured the average for all the dogs was something like $12 each. Their services were no longer needed by the breeders and the doggy brokers had passed them up. Often the dogs not bid on are drowned, shot, dumped, or ?????? It is horrible.

Anyhow Xanny and Perdy still remained with my family after all these months. Neither would bite but neither wanted to be touched. We watched as slowly they learned how to be dogs. Go out to play. Pick up a toy and claim it as their own. Xanny always had a sadness about him. When he got neutered he got a dental at the same time and came home with no teeth. His little tongue usually hung down from the side of his mouth.

Xanny was a red, long hair and I am sure he sired many good looking pups.

I wanted him to learn about human love and that it was a good thing to let a human hold you. This past week I think he learned it.

He seemed to get so sick so quickly. I guess that tick fever can cause a sudden crash and that is what happened. A week ago I thought he would not survive the weekend, but he did. He got a transfusion for a beautiful lab. Slowly over the week, his platelets increased and his hematocrit rose. He started eating and then he went from having no fight in him to trying to resist us holding him. Last night he ate well.

This morning I saw him standing in the play yard looking out so went over to chat with him and pet his head. He let me scratch his neck. About an hour later when Corrine went to get him for his morning snack and meds, he was curled up on the floor and was gone. He went peacefully. We had these plans of taking advantage of him as he recovered and getting him ready for his own forever family. Maybe that was not what he wanted. Maybe we met his needs and he did learn that humans loved him enough to go many extra miles to care for him when he was ill.

We will surely miss him but are so glad that he passed in a home where he was cared about. Xanadu would have been 8 in June.

Dr. Jake examined his little body and noted he was a little yellow and there was some indication of internal bleeding. Dr. Carr answered my text and said it could have been a blood clot as sometimes that happens after a transfusion.

Whatever took him I know he is peaceful. Love you little guy.

Barb

YOKI

Yoki had so much love to give but he was just so
scared. We love him and know that he is finally at peace. We will remember him
forever. Yoki....we will meet you at the Rainbow Bridge and give you all the love we had
for you in this lifetime and them some.