 We have what may be a first in rescue… a memorial post, alumni update and a TRANSPORT FAIL all in one! The Hanna family shares below: “We are thrilled for Pepper (formerly Blanket) to be a part of our family, and I assume that we have broken new ground by becoming a "Transport Fail", instead of simply a Foster Fail for the third time...lol! She is a special pup, and we simply fell for her immediately. Our first foster fail was Moose. And then Mandy in 2015, the little puppy from the Atlanta area with the horrible case of Mange, who fell in love with Moose, and then when she grew hair, turned out to be a Blue Heeler mix instead of a GSP. We think she planned it that way, as she is really sneaky. All of this however adds up to a bittersweet day; Moose recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He was three months short of 16 years old, with a bunch of wear and tear on those legs from running in the mountains and dock diving, and a failing heart. He was struggling lately, but took a turn over the Christmas holiday, and went downhill fast. We knew the day was coming, but had no idea it would be so soon. Having Pepper here already, is truly a blessing for Terry and I, and especially Mandy! It's one of those "mysterious ways" things! Moose, rest in peace. You left your family in good shape! #transportfail #ripmoose #segsprescue #fosterfailfriday #alumupdate
 We start the week off with very sad news… Our 2016 Alumna, Bailee, passed away unexpectedly from an inoperable liver tumor. She lived a beautiful life with the DeRocher family, and her mom sent us this touching tribute to Bailee:
“Our hearts are broken! We unexpectedly lost our sweet, crazy, Bailee, shortly before Christmas due to liver cancer. She came into the rescue 9 years ago as a bonded pair with Sophie (brown GSP). We fell in love with both of them immediately and knew they could never be separated, nor would they ever leave our home and we became foster failures. She loved to hunt in the backyard and would spend hours searching the pool and filters for frogs. One of her favorite things was to roll the ball in the pool, bark at it until she got it or someone else did and do it all over again. She loved to tear open her Christmas presents and destroy the toys. But most of all she loved everyone and everything. She was a typical Velcro GSP who could never be close enough to you. Run free my Sweet Girl! and get all those froggies and butterflies. We miss you!” “The two hardest things to say in life are hello for the first time and goodbye for the last.” Moira Rogers  We are so very sad to announce that our 2021 Alumna, Trixie, has left for the Rainbow Bridge. Her mom Bonnie posted this beautiful tribute:
"Today I am sad for me but feeling at peace for Trixie. She was awarded these titles by me, I deemed her GCH Winterwood's Foster Fail MH, as she was all of these accolades in her heart and spirit, she was her previous owner’s hunting partner. We rescued Trixie almost 5 years ago, (she was 9) and made an easy decision after only 2 weeks that she would remain here at Dal Riada for the rest of her life. Trixie was such a sweet GSP, never any trouble and you barely knew she was around. On her daily walkabouts, she would check out the entire property, I would catch her flirting with the young handsome Winterwood boys even as recently as Christmas. This morning, she told me she was ready. She had been suffering the past year from liver failure and more recently a thyroid mass. Her attitude and her heart were whole, but her body had failed her, and I promised her a peaceful transition and it was. Forever in our hearts sweet girl." “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.” —Washington Irving  We received a very sad message from our Alumna Annie Oakley’s family informing us of her passing.
Her dad Glen said, “Annie Oakley crossed the Rainbow on December 19,2024. We became her foster parents on March 9,2018, when she was in a shelter in Paulding County with not many days left. She was an escape artist from her owners who did not want her back. She had a deformed right front leg but that did not slow her down one bit. We picked her up and when we got home, she ran zoomies in the yard for 15 minutes, enjoying her freedom. She loved her kennel and never had an accident in the house, such a sweet girl. We thought something was wrong with her in that she never barked. Then one morning she saw a deer in the back yard and barked at it. That was the end of no barking. She now considered the house hers and made sure we knew if anyone or anything came close. Annie was fed twice a day, she knew when it was 6:30am and 4pm. She wanted her food, if you were slow getting it, she would come looking for you. As you might guess she was a foster failure. We promised her a good life, about 2mos later we fostered another GSP, his name is Warner, when we brought him home it was like they had been buddies forever. Thus, he was a failure too. The vets and everyone thought they were siblings because of the way they acted. Whenever we boarded them, we made sure they had a suite, no separation for these two... They would spend hours chasing lizards in the back yard or watching the street from the office window. If you opened the door to the outside, they would run to the car to get in, going for a ride was a joy for them. Annie was starting to slow down some, on her last day she had her dinner as usual then hopped on the couch to nap for a time. When we went to watch TV, she got down as normal and stretched out on the floor. When bedtime came, she normally was ready to go but this time she stood up and then collapsed, I checked her gums, and they were pale. I took her to the emergency vets, and they found she was bleeding internally. X-rays showed a mass on the kidney. When they opened her up the cancer was all over her abdomen and they could not get it out. We were able to say our good-byes and they let Warner come in to say his too. We miss her so much, but we know she is running free.” Grief never ends… But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith… It is the price of love. – Vicki Harrison  We are sad to announce the passing of 2016 Alumnus Hugo. He arrived at SEGSP in late 2016 as a stray and was emaciated with bad scar tissue from a chemical burn on his back, an open wound on his leg, and severe trauma to his pelvis which required surgery. And to top it off, he caught Kennel Cough at the shelter. He was in rough shape and obviously had a terrible beginning to life. But that all changed when he was adopted by his loving family. We received this note from his mom Linda: “We are utterly devastated. The vet did blood work and x-ray and found a mass on his liver. He had emergency surgery, but when they opened him, he was full of cancer and the mass had started to rupture. We were able to be with him and tell him what a good boy he was and that we loved him as he crossed over. We never expected this as Ivy is the old one at 14. We adopted Hugo in 2017 after temp fostering him until his pending adopter picked him up. Luckily, the adoption fell through, and we adopted him because we were smitten. By that time, he still had scar tissue on his back that would bleed whenever he rolled on the grass or played rough. We pursued surgery to remove the scar tissue and bring the healthy edges of skin together. It worked and thankfully, his back healed. He spent the next 7 years traveling with us between FL and MN. He was the best boy ever. All he ever wanted was some sun to lay in, treats, a comfy bed and his own family to love. He never sought a lot of attention; he would just saunter over and wait for you to pet him. I think the hardest part is reaching down for him or not seeing him lying on the couch or hearing one of his little whines while dreaming. Not a day goes by when we don't think of our dogs in some way. Do I have the bench positioned right so they can see out the window and watch for us to come up the driveway, is the bed too high for them to jump on, is the tile floor too slippery where I need to put rugs down, do they like their food and treats, is the water fresh enough. I think what I will miss most is his gratitude. All he ever wanted was to feel safe and loved. I would like to thank SEGSP for entrusting him with us and all the hard work they do saving these dogs. A special thanks to Linda K for all of her help. I will see you on the other side, my big, beautiful boy! Barry, Linda and Ivy (SEGSP alumni 2015) Brueske”
"Love is the balm that heals the deepest wounds." Unknown  Our 2013 Alum Doc has passed away.
His mom Mary sent us this wonderful tribute to Doc:“Our Doc crossed the rainbow bridge today after a short battle with CHF and pulmonary edema. He is now running free with his brothers and sister, Max, Rigby, and Holly (SEGSP 2015 alumni). Doc came into our lives in October 2013. He was the third rescue that I pulled from the Santa Rosa County Shelter. Doc was so submissive when I picked him up that he wouldn't even stand up straight to walk. He crouched. Since I was just pulling him from the shelter and doing the first leg of his transport down to S. FL I didn't get too attached but we loved his sweet nature. A week goes by, and I get a call from the rescue group asking me to take in a heartworm positive dog. I said I wasn't ready for that responsibility yet but if they wanted to send Doc back up, I'd foster him until we found a family. So that's what happened and on October 24, 2013, Doc joined our family. Friends saw his picture on Facebook and wanted to adopt him but we weren't sure how he was around cats and chickens. We found out quickly he was not tolerant. I thought on the third attempt he would go to a great home, but she turned out to be allergic to him. We finally decided he was not going anywhere. He joined our family that day. Doc had the loudest bark, the MOST expressive eyes and a communication style that was not difficult to understand. He climbed trees, hunted squirrels and chased butterflies. He hated fireworks so much that he would jump in the air, biting and barking. If a truck with a big engine drove by, they were in for it because he was not going to let them drive by his house without telling them off. For some reason he never liked our mailman, Patrick. There was no questioning what he wanted when he wanted it. You could say he came out of his shell when he became a McCaa. We will miss his barks (so loud that he hurt his own ears), his big feet that carried in all the dirt, his fox holes (not really), and his expressions. Our hearts will hurt with his absence but I'm thankful his suffering wasn't too long and that he was loved every moment until the end.” There is no doubt in our mind that Doc will be loved through eternity. “The two hardest things to say in life are hello for the first time and goodbye for the last.” Moira Rogers  We received sad news about our 2015 alum River from his mom Lisa.
“Just wanted to share that River, who we picked up in August 2015 passed away last night - we had a little over 9 years with him and he was a great dog! We’re going to miss him terribly” River was surrendered to a shelter in 2015 because he chased a small dog. He was absolutely terrified in the shelter (scared to death and shaking constantly) but his life changed drastically for the better when he was adopted by Lisa and her family. River had a wonderful 9 years and we can’t thank his family enough for giving him so much love. "Nobody can fully understand the meaning of love unless he's owned a dog.” Gene Hill  We are devastated… Our 2012 Alumna, Mae B. Bird, has left the world to join her friends waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.
Mae was the very first Dog Doll made by her mom Catherine, who has been making and sending Dog Dolls to our adopters ever since. Mae’s buddy, Zeke, and squirrel hunting partner, Chester, were no doubt waiting for her and we smile knowing she is still surrounded by love and she will stay in our hearts forever. Catherine said, “With deep sadness our sweet Mae B. Bird has gone to heaven. We are eternally grateful to Gail and Mike for choosing us to be her forever family. We also are grateful for Southeast GSP Rescue family. We are heartbroken but she is forever in our heart.” “You will always be my favorite hello and hardest goodbye.” Cecelia Ahern  Our precious Alumna, Sally, has left for the Rainbow Bridge. She was blessed to be a part of the infamous Parson Posse and lived the ultimate life for 19 months with her family. Her mom Michelle sent us this beautiful tribute:
“Where do I begin other than to say my heart is shattered. My sweet, beautiful, strong, silly, sassy Sally passed yesterday one month shy of her 17th birthday. We adopted her on February 19, 2023 from Southeast GSP Rescue and no one thought she’d live more than a couple of months. She was 15 with chronic heart and lung disease. But once she became a Parson she had a team of doctors starting with our amazing Jackie Price Carter at Six Forks Animal Hospital as well as the doctors at VEG, Blue Pearl, and her cardiologist at CVCA who got her on the right cocktail of meds to help her not just live but thrive. Sally defied the odds and gave us 19 months. She loved life so much and we were beyond blessed to be her family. Adopting seniors is hard on the heart but knowing I gave her so many months of love and adventures helps ease the pain a little. I know TG and Piper and a whole host of others were waiting for her at the rainbow bridge. Run free my beautiful girl. Mommy loves you so much!” “You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. In my home, in my head, in my heart.” —NIKITA GILL  It’s been a sad week in rescue with three memorials. Today we learned that our 2020 Alumnus Duke has passed away. His mom Melissa posted this:
“It is with great sadness that I let everyone know that sweet Duke was diagnosed with bone cancer on August 8 and passed away on Sept 3. He enjoyed his last summer in Beaufort where he spent most of his free time on the porch but also daily long walks and frequent trips to the beach. He was well loved and is deeply mourned.” “I think the hardest part about losing a dog you love isn’t saying goodbye… it’s the way your entire world changes without them and the emptiness that’s left in your heart when they go.” Unknown |
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