In the end, Pearl only knew love. 
​
Sweet senior hospice pup, Pearl, has crossed the rainbow bridge. Pearl had a rough life before coming into foster care three months ago. But she sure did blossom with some TLC from foster mom Sally. She certainly spent her final days as her best days.

From foster mom Sally, “I’m so lucky she ended up with me, I had no idea what all I was missing. ”

Run free Pearl, run free. 

Our alumnus Asher (formerly Blue) crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday.  He was one of 5 puppies from a litter rescued in 2008 and was fostered by SEGSP’s founder, Beth Cochran. 

From his family, “Asher (101 years young) died peacefully at home surrounded by his mom, dad, two human brothers, and two furry brothers from other mothers.  Asher was adopted in 2008 from Southeast GSP Rescue to be a companion for his older Vizsla brother who had gotten extremely lazy at the ripe old age of 1 (yes, one) and quickly became the ball obsessed, counter surfing, running partner dog of your dreams. Nicknames included Ashy, Bashy, Trashy, Bash, BeeDoe, and B.  Born a gundog but innately gun-shy (even a nerf gun), he was destined to be a sweetheart.  

He quickly made his impact by chewing his grandma’s emergency parking brake and dropping slobbery dirty tennis balls on your nice clean shoes to throw.  If there wasn’t a tennis ball around, he’d bring you a piece of trash that would get stuck to his lip, making him look like he was eating peanut butter as he tried to get it off. Just throw it.  He worked his way into many people’s hearts, including the ones he wouldn’t get off the couch for when they visited mom and dad and needed a place to sit. That was ‘his’ spot unless you were going to throw the ball of course. Then he’d bark at you. And stare at you until you submitted.  

His other favorite activity was counter surfing and trash diving. Among his most grandiose steals were a whole entire Bundt cake, as well as a raw 5 lb. pork butt left on a friend’s counter. He ate them all, not leaving a morsel for anyone else.  But he paid for his gluttony with the inability to chase the ball for a good 36 hours afterwards. He could also be heard from inside the house howling as he tried to poop in the yard for the next two days.  He finally realized the joke was on him.  Asher would run hours with his mom for many years and became the best guard dog companion when his two human brothers were born. He expressed his disdain when his mom and dad brought home his very own furry four-legged brother.  He wanted nothing to do with the little turd since he wouldn’t learn how to play fetch appropriately.  He still can’t.  

In his spare time, he liked to patrol the yard and even took out a few bunnies or birds that dared cross his domain. He even brought one inside as a present for Dad!  He was always so proud of his accomplishments.  

Asher was the most distinguished of old gentlemen, loving all dogs who came to him and especially humans he duped into actually throwing the ball.  He will be immensely missed by many he touched, but maybe not by the ones whose pants, shoes, or couches he ruined with that ball.  He died with the most perfect ears that couldn’t hear a damn thing.  Asher was loved.  The pain his family feels will be healed knowing he’s chasing all the balls across the rainbow bridge. Asher leaves behind a loving family that will never ever forget him. At the request of his family, please give your dogs an extra treat, run, ball throw, belly rub, or counter surfing hall pass.  And let them know they’re loved, every single day.”

We’d say “rest in peace” Asher, but we smile knowing he isn’t resting at all – he’s having a blast playing with Beth while he waits for his family. 

"I was just a pup when we first met, I loved you from the start.
You picked me up and took me home, and placed me in your heart.
Good times we had together, we shared all life could throw,
But years passed all too quickly, my time has come to go.
I know how much you miss me, I know your heart is sore.
I see the tears that fall when I’m not waiting at the door.
You always did your best for me, your love was plain to see,
For even though it broke your heart, you set my spirit free.
So please be brave without me, one day we’ll meet once more.
For when you’re called to heaven I’ll be waiting at The Door."

Unknown  

Our beautiful senior Alumna Stella (formerly Estelle) crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 13.  Her family is devastated and as many have also experienced, they had to make the incredibly difficult decision to let her go once cancer had taken over her body.  She let them know it was time.

They adopted Stella in 2021 at the age of 12. When they saw her picture on social media, they knew they wanted her and could provide her with a ton of love for her remaining days.  In reminiscing about her first days in their home, her mom said she explored the yard inch by inch and stared across the pond as if it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And when her human brother came home from school that day, she was SO excited – she must have had a boy in her prior life because her face LIT UP!  She also relished in destroying all of her toys, begging for her meals for at least an hour before her normal dinner time, and her tail always gave an adorable spin-wag whenever her family came home.

From her mom Lisa, “Her brother Cooper was her favorite…by far, but she followed me everywhere and always tried to protect me from her wild and crazy brother Lincoln and sister Kenzie. And she loved to kiss on Daddy and show him all of her toys when he arrived home from traveling.  But best of all, she had the sweetest soul!  She always just looked right into our eyes…and we always felt like she was saying “Thank you for this life.”  Our hearts are broken.  It’s so hard to say goodbye to this sweet lady. As hard as this is, I thank God that He trusted us with the last year of her life.  I feel at peace knowing that we gave her all the love that we possibly could.  I also feel at peace knowing that it was her time as the cancer had taken over her body and she was just in so much pain.  I also know that my mom and our sweet Vizsla Bella (along with all of our other family and pets that have passed) will be waiting at Heaven’s door to meet her and give her lots of welcoming love.  My advice…as hard as it is to say good-bye…adopt a senior dog or cat. Every moment is worth it. Good-bye sweet Stella…you will be in our hearts forever.  Thank you for allowing us to adopt this sweet soul...she made our family complete, and there's going to be a huge hole without her.  We will miss her always.  Please pray for us."

Grief and love are conjoined, you don’t get one without the other.
All I can do is love her, and love the world,
Emulate her by living with daring and spirit and joy.
Jandy Nelson