With great sadness, our longtime volunteer Loretta notified us that Edith, SEGSP 2009 Alumna, has passed away.  Loretta said, “Kidney failure and heart issues. She was a trooper right until the end and showed no signs of illness until she stopped eating. She had a great life and even took a long hike four days before as if nothing was wrong. We will miss our old girl.” 
 
In 2009 Loretta was asked by our Founder, Beth Cochran, if she would foster Edith (formerly Sue).  Loretta agreed and soon adopted her.  Loretta said, “Edith was a true feral huntress found running loose in Tennessee. When outside, there was no controlling her. Not one, no-pulling apparatus ever worked, ever. She was terrified of everything, everyone and hated loud noises.  
 
David and I realized quickly that Edith was not going to be your typical pet material, and after making a few strides with her, my husband decided to my dismay that we should keep her.  I used to keep an upholstery needle and a spool of thread in my car because she would silently chew through my seatbelts. I had to replace the visor, two head rests, the steering wheel, and the back of one seat. To be fair it was a 20-year-old car, but still. I’m embarrassed to say, I had not discovered putting a kennel in the car and putting the dog in it.  She howled and cried her way through every hike for years.  Edith took a leap off one cliff and fell off another. She ruptured both of her Achilles at separate times.
 
Not knowing these dogs’ stories, to me, is an opportunity to realize there is no point contemplating on what had happened to them, but what we can do to make their lives better going forward, no matter how long it takes. Our Edith goes way back as far as alumni and in my opinion, should have an award as one of the craziest pointer ever.” 
 
“It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them." – John Grogan

With heavy hearts we’re posting another SEGSP alumni memorial.  Cole, formerly Colby from SC, has made his way to the Rainbow Bridge.  His mom Susan and dad Jorge are heartbroken and sent us this note to share…
 
“It has taken me a week to send this because we are still processing it, but we lost Cole (Colby) to brain cancer. His decline and diagnosis were severe and rapid.  We are somewhat still in shock, but thankful for the time we had with him.  Cole was our big, sweet, crazy guy and we miss him terribly. He was our ever-present Velcro pup and we genuinely loved him. We are thankful that we were able to make his last few years better than his first, and that we experienced his constant faithful companionship.  While we are still recovering from the loss of Mr. Cole (aka Papi Lop, Sweetie Pop, and Papi), we are grateful that we got to know this special guy. Rest in peace Sweetie Pop.” 
  
“There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings and walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.” Suzanne Clothier

We were recently informed that our 2012 alumnus Fritz (formerly Bob) left his world on November 17, 2022.  His mom Sheri sent us this touching tribute to Fritz:
"Fritz Cordell was rescued by the Southeast German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue and fostered by Kathy Glielmi who called him “Bob”.   He was adopted by us on January 20, 2012, at the age of 3.  We might have adopted him, but he rescued us with his antics, devotion, and pure love.     He was always a very good boy.  Within a day, he was caring for his adopted sister Hannah, another German Shorthaired Pointer and doted on her in her declining years through her seizures and other health issues until her death in 2014.    
 
Fritz loved everyone and everything except the garage and rain!   In his early life he must have been kept in a garage.   He absolutely refused to enter the garage from the house if the garage doors were down.  Hence his nickname, “Front Door Fritz”.   He was deathly afraid of rope.   Otherwise, he was fearless.  He disliked rain but tolerated baths in the shower.  He was devoted to his family including welcoming a frisky 8-week-old puppy in 2015 and nurtured and “trained” her for all these many years.  He loved walks and relaxing in the sun although he didn’t really care for toys or balls, although he was offered many.  He loved food.   There was no food he didn’t love but he especially loved any treat with peanut butter, pretzels and popcorn (all in moderation).   He was an ultimate “food hound”. 
 
Fritz received his Canine Good Citizenship and Canines for Therapy Certification in 2012.   He loved to go visit children and young adults and loved to meet them on the streets during walks.    He would just stand and glow in the attention.  One week when he was at the beach, we were doing an evening walk during COVID, and a young child ran out from a rental house calling “Spot”.    His mother followed and explained the child had special needs and his school had been closed but they had a therapy dog with spots that he loved to see daily.  Fritz loved the attention and visited the child every day that week.  He was “Spot” for the week.  
 
Fritz was in declining health for 15 months with IBS, arthritis and compression of his spine resulting eventually in no sensation to his rear legs.   
 
Rest in Peace, dear Fritzie.   You were a very good boy. We miss you so."  
 
 
“When Tomorrow starts without me, do not think we’re apart.  For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.”  David M Romano
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