Ricky now known as Sammy
On May 13, 2009, I adopted my Sammy from MARS. He was about seven years old at the time. It broke my heart when he passed on January 27, 2016. Sammy was always with me and took several trips to Iowa to help me take care of my parents. He was such a wonderful little companion who was happy just being with me. I loved the long walks we took especially in November in the evening when people had put up their Christmas lights. When walking in the field by the pond, he would chase the Canadian Geese barking all the way. It was so difficult letting go of such a wonderful little dog, especially when he gave me a kiss just before he passed. I’m so happy that I told him every single day that I love him…every single day. He will always & forever be in my heart.

Tabby Baby
It was a busy transport night when some veteran fosters arrived to pick up a dog. They had heard from a neighbor that a mother cat had given birth to three kittens and needed help. After dozens of emails, text messages, Facebook and pestering, we were off to rescue this young family. Upon arrival there were only 2 kittens remaining. Bottle feeding began immediately. The tabby kitten was so very tiny. As the days went by her sibling kept growing, while the tiny tabby stayed so very tiny. X-rays at the emergency clinic revealed an inoperable birth defect. In plain terms, all of her insides were in the wrong place. Her diaphragm was not formed properly. The sad truth was that she would not grow because her body was not made to thrive. The kind team at the emergency clinic gently helped her cross the rainbow bridge. In her tiny, short life she left a lasting impact. She lived long enough to know that she was loved, and to know that her little family would be loved and cared for. It was because of rescuers that chose to speak up and act that this family was given a chance. It hurts immensely to say goodbye, but this tiny little life leaves a legacy that will be honored for years to come.

Poco
Saying good-bye to 2015 and to my cherished furry companion Poco.. He was my MARS Foster #8. He was a former breeder dog, never treated as a pet. His teeth were completely covered with black plaque. He barely made eye contact. He peed only on concrete and cement and scooped all of his food out of a bowl to eat off the floor. I can only imagine that he lived in a concrete cell for the first 7 years of his life. MARS had most of his teeth removed and Poco immediately felt better. He perked up and followed his foster sister Poodle around to learned house manners and confidence. I enjoyed a special bond with Poco who was never more than 2 feet away, who was quietly jealous of all new foster dogs, who loved affection and hated walking in wet grass. Poco already knew this was his forever home and I knew this, too. He passed away suddenly a week before Christmas, after being with us for 20 wonderful months. He stopped breathing during a dental cleaning procedure, just one of those rare unfortunate cases, the vet said. I miss him terribly and know he is in doggie heaven, looking down on us and smiling, knowing that there will more more MARS fosters and foster adoptions in this house who will be loved as much as he was loved. I miss you, Poco Man!

Westly
Westly was a hound dog who came to us from the deep south. He spent nearly a year in rescue waiting for the perfect family. Oh boy did he find it. 7 years ago November of 2008, he met his new parents and their grandchild who was very young at that point. They gave the leash to their grandboy and he and Westly went for a walk. The rest is history! Westly was their best friend for 7 wonderful years. Unfortunately he has reached a point where his health was failing and there was a mass and fluid build up and his owners stayed with him while he passed. Westly will be greatly missed.

Watson
We helped our sweet Boston terrier finish his life here on October 9. He was a favorite dog on our block and in the neighborhood because he always approached people and looked them right in the eye. People thought he was begging for a treat when really he just wanted to say hello. Watson also accompanied me on my weekly visits to a daycare home so children could interact with him. We were lucky to have him for six of his thirteen years.