MERLIN
(by Raphaele): Merlin was an alumni from the ranch. He made it there for training after spending way too much time kennelized in a rescue I was volunteering for at the time. In 2008, Scott and his family came to said rescue to try to match their female shepherd with a boxer. The environment there was definitely not conducive to that and they left empty ended, being told their female would never accept another dog (never mind that she had lived with another dog prior!). After much convincing from Jan W and myself they decided to give it another chance and came to the ranch to see if some of our wonderful trained boys could work. I will always remember Scott getting out of his car with his dog and telling me right away that this would not work. I took his dog and told him to stay back while Carlos the trainer brought out Merlin. Within seconds we knew this would work and they would be a glorious pair. I turned to Scott who was on the phone with his wife and taking pictures, telling her "this is unbelievable!" They adopted Merlin in 2008. Within a few months the family moved to Dallas, TX, and I would get periodically news of how well and what a wonderful dog Merlin was. A few months ago, Scott called me to let me know Merlin was having seizures, he progressively got worse, lost his sight and energy. 2 days ago they made the sorrowful decision to let him go in peace. I spoke to a devastated Scott yesterday who misses his boy very much. Through Merlin, they discovered what an incredible breed boxers are and I know that in the future they will give another rescue boxer an incredible second chance at life. This will be Merlin's legacy, he will be missed by his immediate family as well as all the people whom he encountered and touched. Run free Merlin, Sachi is waiting for you.
OLIVER/SWEET PIG(by his family):
It is with great sadness that I am writing this email.
2 years ago nearly to the date we adopted Oliver from sachi. We welcomed him in with joy and love, and he quickly won the hearts of our family, including our cat Elwood. We renamed him "Sweet Pig" because of his snorty breathing. Last week he began leaving food in his bowl and then refusing full meals. I took him to the vet and they ran tests and told me his kidneys were failing. We put him on a special diet and medications, but I could tell he was not his usual self, and he died yesterday 5-16-2012. Our house is sad and silent. When I go into the backyard I see his tennis balls around and I am overcome with tears. I want to thank sachi for giving us such a great dog, and even though his time with us was short, the impact he had on our lives was immense. |
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HOLLY (loved til the end by the Lang family)
Our Holly was a sweet and loving dog. It took us all of 2 days to fall in love with her and before long we felt as if she'd been in our family for a long time. She was incredibly gentle with my kids, had great manners, and we received compliments wherever we went on her behavior and striking appearance. She had even been chosen to model for a designer dog collar line next month for which she would have been perfect.
After only 5 short weeks we lost Holly to bloat, but not before she changed all of us for the better. She and my son bonded very quickly and I loved seeing their connection. I discovered that I was a dog person. Her gentleness helped me to get over being shy around dogs after being attacked by a German Shepperd the previous year. And my youngest one had stopped being spooked out by dogs.
Perhaps one of the biggest gifts she gave us was getting our family out together on afternoon walks with her. We all enjoyed it. What I will miss most is her goofy side -- that 'kidney bean' curl that she did when she got excited about going outside or when we played with her. She definitely filled a void that we didn't know we had until she came into our lives. - the Lang Family
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After only 5 short weeks we lost Holly to bloat, but not before she changed all of us for the better. She and my son bonded very quickly and I loved seeing their connection. I discovered that I was a dog person. Her gentleness helped me to get over being shy around dogs after being attacked by a German Shepperd the previous year. And my youngest one had stopped being spooked out by dogs.
Perhaps one of the biggest gifts she gave us was getting our family out together on afternoon walks with her. We all enjoyed it. What I will miss most is her goofy side -- that 'kidney bean' curl that she did when she got excited about going outside or when we played with her. She definitely filled a void that we didn't know we had until she came into our lives. - the Lang Family
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Two little angles
At Sachi Animal Rescue, we are a family and our pups mean everything to us, whether they are in our care temporarily or permanently. We also believe in honesty and full disclosure as to the status of our orphans. Most of the time we share with you, our loyal supporters and friends the happy news of a dog embarking on a new journey and a new life with a loving family. Today is not that day. It is with a very heavy heart that I need to announce the passing of two of our little angels, Lola and Brooklyn, 2 little girls who touched our lives in a way that only these amazing dogs can..
Lola was rescued from the Castaic shelter, she was there for a very long time by county standards and I could not let her die there. I kept coming back to her picture circulated on FACEBOOK and was hoping against all odds that someone would see in her what I could sense from just her picture. Of course no one claimed her and I decided to go and pull her even though we were at full capacity at our boarding facility. She was grateful and happy, afraid of men but would warm up really fast once you showed her the affection she so craved and deserved. Last friday I went to pick her up, along with 3 other girls who were embarking on their special journey up north to a new life. She had two potential, fantastic homes who were waiting impatiently to meet her. On my way back home, before the long trip, Lola and Miss Lady started acting up and fighting through the crate where Lady was.
Lola had a leash on but was loose in the dogmobile, along with Cindy. Grace was riding shotgun and secured on the front seat. I had to pull over on a major thoroughfare in order to separate them and not have the fight escalate with the other two girls jumping in. As I opened the back door, both Cindy and Lola bolted out, I was able to grab Cindy's leash immediately and fell Lola's leash slip through my fingers. She ended up in the middle of the highway, looking at me, it was night and very dark and there were no cars around at that moment.
I tried to entice her to come back to me as I was trying to quickly put Cindy back in the car. What happened next is almost a blur, it went so fast, I remember hearing a car barreling down at full speed and I ran towards the middle of the highway waving and screaming, hoping to get the driver's attention to at least slow down. I was 12 years old when my first boxer Mirabelle was run over by a car in front of me and died in my arms within seconds. I had not thought about this for so long, yet in a matter of seconds it came flooding back through my mind as I watched helplessly the unthinkable happen. After the impact, I frantically looked for Lola and found her on the side of the road about 50 yards away. I held her until she took her last breath, she passed away within seconds. The guilt and pain i am feeling will be with me for a very long time, I failed miserably in my attempt to protect her. I will be haunted by this night forever. Lola died on her way to a new life, full of potential and adventures. Her ashes are now with me, along the many pets who have shared my life over the years.
Brooklyn was pulled out of The Orange County shelter, her back end was pretty much paralyzed, both back legs muscles and spine terribly atrophied. She was a trooper though with an unmatched will to live and move despite her handicap. We ran every test imaginable in order to figure out the cause of her condition, CT scans, spinal tap, X-rays, blood panels, and on and on. Both vets were puzzled by her condition and could not give me a clear diagnosis, brain tumor was ruled out and the only thing left was some kind of weird neurological disease. Once it was determined her condition was not infectious she was put on prednisone and improved slightly in her mobility for a couple weeks. She started eating with gusto her home cooked meals and gave the best kisses only a boxer can give, and then she went downhill, suddenly and rapidly. Yesterday she started throwing up and refused to eat. I immediately rushed her to Dr Gales who recommended ending her suffering, he thought her physical appearance looked drastically worse. She had become incontinent and I had to express her bladder every few hours. Being the stubborn one and not wanting to give up just yet, I made an appointment with a neurologist today: it was not meant to be. Brooklyn passed away at about 12: 45 this morning on her little bed, in what had become her home here with me. She was loved and she will be forever in my heart. She was a fighter, such determination, courage and willpower. She was a lover and a kisser, she had the most expressive brown eyes and the cutest turned up nose. I will miss her terribly. Her journey was not what it should have been, yet I have no regrets for bringing her home with me and having shared this precious short time with her.
People say everything happens for a reason, I just cannot quite grasp what these two tragic losses are supposed to mean, and why we are left here with such pain and emptiness. I don't know why Lola's promising life was cut short so tragically and I don't understand why a sweet young Brooklynhad to go through such horrendous pain. What I do know is that I will not waiver in my determination and will to continue helping as many discarded shelter dogs as possible.
I also would like to thank Lynda Hill for being Lola's guardian angel and best advocate and Brooklyn's godfather, Paul Smith, for being who he is. I am so, so sorry for these sad news.
Raphaele
Lola was rescued from the Castaic shelter, she was there for a very long time by county standards and I could not let her die there. I kept coming back to her picture circulated on FACEBOOK and was hoping against all odds that someone would see in her what I could sense from just her picture. Of course no one claimed her and I decided to go and pull her even though we were at full capacity at our boarding facility. She was grateful and happy, afraid of men but would warm up really fast once you showed her the affection she so craved and deserved. Last friday I went to pick her up, along with 3 other girls who were embarking on their special journey up north to a new life. She had two potential, fantastic homes who were waiting impatiently to meet her. On my way back home, before the long trip, Lola and Miss Lady started acting up and fighting through the crate where Lady was.
Lola had a leash on but was loose in the dogmobile, along with Cindy. Grace was riding shotgun and secured on the front seat. I had to pull over on a major thoroughfare in order to separate them and not have the fight escalate with the other two girls jumping in. As I opened the back door, both Cindy and Lola bolted out, I was able to grab Cindy's leash immediately and fell Lola's leash slip through my fingers. She ended up in the middle of the highway, looking at me, it was night and very dark and there were no cars around at that moment.
I tried to entice her to come back to me as I was trying to quickly put Cindy back in the car. What happened next is almost a blur, it went so fast, I remember hearing a car barreling down at full speed and I ran towards the middle of the highway waving and screaming, hoping to get the driver's attention to at least slow down. I was 12 years old when my first boxer Mirabelle was run over by a car in front of me and died in my arms within seconds. I had not thought about this for so long, yet in a matter of seconds it came flooding back through my mind as I watched helplessly the unthinkable happen. After the impact, I frantically looked for Lola and found her on the side of the road about 50 yards away. I held her until she took her last breath, she passed away within seconds. The guilt and pain i am feeling will be with me for a very long time, I failed miserably in my attempt to protect her. I will be haunted by this night forever. Lola died on her way to a new life, full of potential and adventures. Her ashes are now with me, along the many pets who have shared my life over the years.
Brooklyn was pulled out of The Orange County shelter, her back end was pretty much paralyzed, both back legs muscles and spine terribly atrophied. She was a trooper though with an unmatched will to live and move despite her handicap. We ran every test imaginable in order to figure out the cause of her condition, CT scans, spinal tap, X-rays, blood panels, and on and on. Both vets were puzzled by her condition and could not give me a clear diagnosis, brain tumor was ruled out and the only thing left was some kind of weird neurological disease. Once it was determined her condition was not infectious she was put on prednisone and improved slightly in her mobility for a couple weeks. She started eating with gusto her home cooked meals and gave the best kisses only a boxer can give, and then she went downhill, suddenly and rapidly. Yesterday she started throwing up and refused to eat. I immediately rushed her to Dr Gales who recommended ending her suffering, he thought her physical appearance looked drastically worse. She had become incontinent and I had to express her bladder every few hours. Being the stubborn one and not wanting to give up just yet, I made an appointment with a neurologist today: it was not meant to be. Brooklyn passed away at about 12: 45 this morning on her little bed, in what had become her home here with me. She was loved and she will be forever in my heart. She was a fighter, such determination, courage and willpower. She was a lover and a kisser, she had the most expressive brown eyes and the cutest turned up nose. I will miss her terribly. Her journey was not what it should have been, yet I have no regrets for bringing her home with me and having shared this precious short time with her.
People say everything happens for a reason, I just cannot quite grasp what these two tragic losses are supposed to mean, and why we are left here with such pain and emptiness. I don't know why Lola's promising life was cut short so tragically and I don't understand why a sweet young Brooklynhad to go through such horrendous pain. What I do know is that I will not waiver in my determination and will to continue helping as many discarded shelter dogs as possible.
I also would like to thank Lynda Hill for being Lola's guardian angel and best advocate and Brooklyn's godfather, Paul Smith, for being who he is. I am so, so sorry for these sad news.
Raphaele
Good-bye letter from ALEX to his foster mommy
"Dear Mamma Martina, I was a lucky boy, I was a happy boy. My life began with you and ended in your arms. I don't want you to feel pain or guilt over our little "misunderstandings" . I wasn't always the easiest doggie to handle, I know that. But everything I did, I did it for you. Even my separation anxieties were testament to my love for you. You see, I couldn't stand being away from you so when you disappeared from my sight, I panicked. I know it brought a lot of stress to your life but I simply couldn't help myself. The sun rose and set around you and that was it. Without you I would have been another lost soul, long forgotten in a dreadful kennel where some nut jobs convince themselves that this is the best a dog like me will ever get. I was once a proud, healthy, handsome pup who could have been the joy of any family, But this wasn't meant to be for me. I guess everyone has to "pay their dues", mine just were steeper than some. In the end it was all worth it though because of you. I remember the days when you would come up to the kennel and take me for walks or long hikes. I knew then what you didn't, that one day I would wiggle my way into your home. I had already conquered your heart, I knew that, even if you refused to acknowledge it. But bringing in another pup into your already crowded household required more than just dedication, it demanded a burning passion and selflessness that few people are able to demonstrate, and in my special case, endure. So what, I made you eat your dinner in your car occasionally in order for you to have peace and quiet. Well look on the bright side, these are memories you will have forever. Not every pup is capable of driving their human to the brink of hopelessness with such gusto. I was one of a kind and we both knew that. You stuck by me when no one else did, through the bad and the not so bad. Hey, will you ever have another cuddle bug like me endure quietly and selflessly a Grey's Anatomy marathon by your side? I provided you comic relief when you least expected it and let's face it, you knew I had your back and more on all our outings. I was fiercely protective of you and would have given my life for you any day. Lola, Bobby and the rest of the lunatics, you are now in charge of my special girl, that goes for you too Gene! (get that kitchen set up pronto!) My Mamma Martina needs her little haven. I leave this world a better soul for knowing you and I will be waiting when your time comes, alongside Petey, Hurley, Tonka, Mitch and all the souls you have touched and rescued over so many years. Just don't hurry quite yet, you got more work to do down here. I am a lucky boy, I am a happy boy thanks to you Mamma Martina.
ALEX
ALEX
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WILLY
When he was finally freed from a 6-yr confinement, he had less than 2 years to catch up. Willy was loved, he was given medical care and the freedom to come and go. The couch became his favorite spot and he loved being outside in the sun. Willy slept in every day and was spoiled rotten. Five month earlier he lost one of his brothers, Lennon, and his favorite sister Maggie. His best friend in the whole world Teddy will also be waiting for him at the famous rainbowbridge.
SAMMY
Sachi Animal Rescue was so happy for Sammy when Amy & Scott opened their hearts and home for our little Samurai SAMMY. After being in his loving home for only a few months, an aggressive brain tumor took his life.
For more on Sammy, click: http://www.sachianimalrescue.com/sammy.html
TEDDIE
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In May 2006 a local rescue took in Teddie. He showed some unwanted behavior but was otherwise a very pleasant and socialized dog. Unfortunately when it came to introducing him to a potential adopter, Teddie showed his “bad-boy side”, snapping at a stranger, preferably in the face.
He was moved to another, smaller kennel where a handful of volunteers handled him multiple times a week. Teddie was great with other dogs and loved the volunteers that took care of him. Fast forward two years: Sachi Animal Rescue started the program that helped rescue dogs with behavioral problems. Dogs just like Teddie were re-programmed in a healthy environment without kennels. They finally received professional help and were ready for adoption within a few weeks to a few months. Meanwhile Teddie stayed at that rescue and kept showing badly when adoption day arrived while SAR adopted more than 50 challenged dogs into permanent loving homes. SAR offered to take on Teddie but the rescue refused saying their team of trainers would handle/rehabilitate Teddie, within the confinement of their own kennel, apparently oblivious to the fact that the "kennel" part was precisely part of the problem. Fast forward yet another two years: Teddie was still at that rescue and according to the trainers, tried to snap at a potential adopter just three months prior. Obviously their training did not work for Teddie and he was at that point condemned to stay there for the rest of his life. One of Sachi Animal Rescue volunteers, also a former volunteer from Teddie’s rescue, stayed in contact with the trainers, asking to take Teddie home for a few days here and there to show him some love and a life he was otherwise deprived off. The requests were ignored and Teddie stayed at that rescue. At the end of April 2010 Teddie became sick and by mid May it became clear that Teddie would only live a few more days. At that point, Teddie was finally allowed to leave his life in captivity and went home to the SAR volunteer. For only 30 hours Teddie experienced a life without bars with all the perks a loving home can offer a dog. |
            All of us at Sachi Animal Rescue are deeply saddened that Teddie was never allowed the chance to experience a life without bars, roaming around with other dogs for hours & every day and eventually finding his forever home. This is what Sachi Animal Rescue was willing to provide Teddie, and countless others still enduring his fate. |
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ATTICUS
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After a month of battling cancer, we let our precious Atticus go to heaven.
For the past 10 years, Atticus has been so much more than just a dog, he has been an integral part of the family. He has been a joyous source of laughter, a comical source of entertainment, a reliable source of support. This guy had personality. Strangers all over LA have pictures of Atticus on their cell phones…photos from the vet office waiting room - where he wouldn’t hesitate to climb up the benches to sit on strangers’ laps; all 90 pounds of him. Photos from our walks – where people on the street stared in disbelief at how well-behaved he was off-leash, and how he sat at every sidewalk crossing and looked up at us, waiting for permission to cross the street. Photos from inside restaurants, bars, and shops - where he would be invited in by the store owners who laughingly knew him as the “West Hollywood Goodwill Ambassador.” Some strangers were afraid of the big, ominous looking beast, but he’d wag his tail, lean in for a cuddle, and give kisses to them, their dog or their child, instantly reassuring them. Even friends who were once scared of dogs couldn’t resist his charm, and would make a point to stop by whenever they could to visit him. Atticus was always a gentle soul. He would bring lizards inside, but not to hurt them, just to let them go and explore his house. He would protect and guide Francie when she got older, never taking his eyes off of her. He was always there for us, a fixture in the background, patiently waiting to give or receive love. He was also a brave soul – from warding off coyotes from attacking a baby (true story) to rescuing Francie when she got lost in the woods. Every ounce of his being was kind and loving. During his last days, he would get noticeably upset if we cried about his illness. He taught us to try and be positive, no matter how bad things were. His whole life, Atticus always had a “smile,” even on his last day. And even though he was uncomfortable and at times in pain, that didn’t stop him from following me around the house, checking to make sure where I was, and if I was okay. He was an inspiration for how to live life – as a series of good times - with lots of dancing and wiggling, lots of cuddling, lots of sass, and lots of love. Party on Atticus. We know you’re up there frolicking with Francie……but we are sure missing you both down here. |
When I first met Atticus, he sassed me non-stop. Little did he or I realize what special “mates” we would become. When Jourdan and I first started dating, Atticus’ leg had just recently healed from an operation. The 4 of us (including the very special Frances) went on a hike. The trail ended at a set of about 350 stairs. We realized that after about 20 stairs, Atticus was not happy. So I carried my new 90 pound mate to the top of the stairs, who trusted me completely. Whenever we stopped to rest, he would lean into me for support.
Needless to say, a bond was formed that would never break. Atticus became my best mate in my new home country and I will be eternally grateful that such a perfect spirit and truly wonderful soul let me be his mate. Atticus helped Jourdan and I get through the loss of Francie, though the loss of his big sister must have hurt him deeply. He even forgave us for filling our home with 11 foster dogs over the ensuing months, which included the “death of a thousand nibbles” he endured as Uncle Atticus to 4 little puppies. I have known many dogs, both in Australia and in America, and I can truly say I have never met a more “human” dog. I have never been so affected by the loss of an animal, but am so grateful to have had him in my life. Rest in piece my big, beautiful guy (you poof). |
