Gabrielle
Our Angel Grandma Gabby - Here I adopted a rescue dog thinking it would be a neat charity for my kids who have had their struggles in life. My kids, who themselves are waiting to be adopted. Kids who have been through unspeakable acts of neglect and thanks to Gabby have overcome adversity and struggles that many people said could never happen. When I brought Gabby home, little did I know, this dark eyed lady was going to teach us so much in such a short time. Compassion was Gabby’s ultimate lesson to the children. For one little boy who lived in unimaginable filth, experienced unconscionable neglect, abuse, lack of food and love, Gabby’s lesson was most powerful. She assisted him in making sure her bed was straightened out every afternoon. This boy, who grew up not being fed every day himself, made sure grandma Gabby had her food and water every morning and a pat on her head before he left for school. This little boy had almost no animal privileges for two years before Gabby and was only allowed to be around animals under the highest supervision. However, since the gentle browned eyed girl we so affectionately called Grandma Gabby moved in, he has not lost any privileges. He has also learned to accept touch from people. Gabby you will be so missed but your compassion will live on through this boy who looked at the world as though everything was cruel and he was never to feel or to trust. What an amazing thing you have taught this diverse family of awaiting children. Grandma Gabby, your legacy of compassion will live on through these kids. I thank you, we all thank you.

Tia
Tia crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the loving arms of her second MARS foster mom on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Tia was a dignified and beautiful mature German Shepherd dog who had been with her mom for only a few weeks when she became ill. A couple of trips to the vet and then the sad diagnosis. Tia had cancer and would not live much longer. In the short time she was in her second foster home, Tia showed herself to be a well-behaved, smart, sweet, and friendly girl who enjoyed attention. She was an instant hit with residents at the apartment community, even the management .Those who met her were impressed with her intelligence, good behavior, beauty and gentleness. She was a wonderful ambassador for her breed, changing some of the negative assumptions of GSD’s. She was especially loved by a young blind woman, also named Tia. The last weeks she was with us, a good covering of snow fell and we saw her playful side. She loved to lay in it and roll around, burrowing her head and nose in the snow. Her last days were comfortable on medication. She was active enough to accept a lot of love from her new mom and friends. Tia had lived with and been loved by another foster mom for about four months. Both moms will miss her for a very long time. Though it was painful to lose her, both are happy to have known such a truly special lady. Both are grateful that MARS provided this sweet, good girl with real love and happiness in the last months of her life.

Dante AKA Jack
Dear Jack, I will miss you so very much. Thank you for coming into our lives. Your mama picked you because you were so beautiful and showed you were smart. You were a special wedding gift to your daddy, our future police officer. You scared us with your strange habit of picking up ALL small dogs like they were your puppy. The small dog owners just could not understand that your massive mouth was not hurting their brainless twit of a dog. Your mama protected you from that stupid woman that hit you on the head. What a stupid person to hit a huge German Shepherd on the head. Your mama protected you, sure she had to tackle you to the ground and lay on top of you, but the woman and her stupid little dog left. You had such a tender heart and this sense of when to be gentle. Thank you for your concern to my Trooper. You knew he was hurt before he even moved. Just a sniff and then you went and cried to mama to tell her to do SOMETHING. You could be running full bore in my yard and stop as soon as you saw Trooper. You did not want to hurt him. Thank you for protecting my family and home when you visited. You made sure you laid down where you could see both doors. You also thought I was sleeping when you made your nightly rounds to make sure we humans were all in bed where we were supposed to be. I will never forget the very human expression you gave me when I stepped on the treadmill for the hour long walk. It was clearly, "What the H-- are you doing on that thing... GET OFF!! but I did not get off, so you proceeded to lie down and stare at my feet until I was done. Thank you for your help on your mama and daddy's wedding day. No one knew.... My back was trying to go out when you stepped into my room and let me lean on you for quite a while. It was just what I needed to relax the back spasms and enjoy the best day ever!! When you visited me, you never were more than arms length from me. Now I am no longer afraid of Shepherds and knew this was the kind of service dog for me. Your presence in my life will eventually give back soo much freedom I have lost in the last 9 years. Thank you Jack. Say hi to Great Grandpa. Gramma Kelly C.

Keyush
Sweet KK (Keyush) came to us from a rural shelter in the south. He was terribly emaciated, recovering from Heartworm, beaten and battered. He was a very smart boy who loved to cuddle and give plenty of kisses. We will never fully understand what happened to KK before we saved him but whatever it was, it was just too much for him to take. We will miss you forever little boy. You found your place in our hearts and your memory is burned in our soul.

Ivy
Ivy Ivy spent a year with our family and probably thought of us, not as her foster family, but her forever family. Two times she was adopted and two times she was returned. She just didn’t like those two places! So she came back to us and you could just see her smile and relax when she returned home. She came to us last June. She had stitches on her belly and eyelids, very underweight and had hip problems. She had gone through two surgeries before she even got to us! On a visit to the vet, it was discovered she had heartworm. Just another blow to this sweet dog. She endured the harsh treatment with a smile on her face. As sick as she was, and with strict instructions to not let her run around, she would still sneak outside and chase a squirrel or two before we could reign her in. She never complained about anything. After she got the all clear from her treatment, she started having issues with her bladder….we had a whole shelf of medications that she loved to take….as long as they were buried in peanut butter….her favorite snack! Ivy loved her walks. If she saw someone going towards the door, this gentle giant would stand and face the door just waiting for that longed for walk. She never pulled at her leash but just trotted along, as happy as could be, despite her sore hips. Her tail would just swing back and forth and you would think that she hadn’t a care in the world. Upon returning home, she would get a long drink of water and climb up on her favorite spot….the couch. We gave up trying to move her. It became her space. Even when she was sick, she would place herself between anyone she thought was a threat and our family. One time, when one of my children’s friends was dropping something off later in the evening, Ivy heard him in the kitchen and cornered him while he screamed for my daughter and until my husband and I came tearing down the stairs to see what the commotion was about. Little did this friend know that Ivy wouldn’t hurt a sole. When our grandson came for a visit, he loved climbing all over her and she never made a sound in protest. However, every once in awhile, when we had another foster dog that was annoying, Ivy always put them in their place with a quick head turn and bark. Ivy was the most loving, gentle dog, who greeted everyone with licks and tail wags. She didn’t deserve all that life dealt her but our family was so happy to have been part of her life for the year we had her and cried many tears when she became so ill that we couldn’t help her anymore. She went over the rainbow bridge with her favorite foster sister and mom holding and petting her as she regally laid her head down and quietly went to sleep for the last time. She will always be remembered and the time we had her cherished forever. We hope you are having fun chasing those squirrels up there Ivy.