In Memory of
our beloved GSPs
2024
Another sweet alumna, Ivy, has passed away. Ivy’s mom Robyn told us her story…
“Ivy came to us in 2019, she had been the breeding female at a local hunting farm. She lived the first part of her life in a kennel. When she came to us, I knew immediately she was going to be a foster failure. All she wanted was to be loved on…. She was shy and timid at first but once you sat still, she would come and curl up next to you for some snuggles. Over the next few years her confidence grew, and she became queen of the house. She loved to snuggle but she also loved her cozy cave. She was a master chipmunk hunter and taught her sister how to dig up the yard... we still have some holes to remind us. Last fall Ivy started losing weight. Within a few weeks she really started to slow down. She was diagnosed with liver cancer and in December she told us she was ready to run free from pain. Her decline was really quick, so she did not have a chance to suffer. She was the lost mellow GSP ever and we miss her greatly!” Ivy was no doubt incredibly blessed to spend the last 5 years of her life with her true forever family. “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Helen Keller We have more sad news… Our 2018 Alumna, Dottie, has passed away. We received this beautiful note from her family:
“This is so hard to write, because when I do, It becomes real. On April 8, 2024, we said Goodbye to Dottie Nottingham. It was very peaceful. We stayed with her awhile after she was gone. She almost looked like she was smiling. I think it was then she passed over the Rainbow Bridge!! Dottie had been sick on and off this past year. She was diagnosed with Addisons. She fought a good fight but finally succumbed. It was time to let her go. Dottie will be missed by her mom and dad, Karen and Bob, my sister Sherry, and nephew Chris. Dottie, we loved you so much and still do. We love you forever sweet girl. We will meet you in heaven at the Rainbow Bridge, with Fauna (Doberman), Hannah Banana (former SEGSP alumni) and many dog friends!! A special thank you and love to Dorothy Thompson, the SEGSP FL State Coordinator.” We know Dottie had the most amazing 6 years with her forever family and is smiling down in thanks to Karen and Bob for their unending love. “While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet her behind the veil.” John Taylor We begin the weekend with devastating news. Our 2017 Alumnus that is featured on our 2024 t-shirt, Scout, has left this world (but not our hearts). His bucket list included raising money to help the GSPs in SEGSP foster care and he succeeded. Thank you, Scout. Below is a letter his mom Taylor wrote to Scout and read to him, along with singing his song, before he passed away.
“To my dearest Scout, You weren’t given a fair shake the first part of your life. From an airport bomb-sniffing failure, to a cross-fit dog scared of people & noises; your first years were anxiety riddled and torture for you. In 2017, we adopted you and began the slow process of earning your trust. Teaching you a safe environment is possible and that you deserved unconditional love. You instantly gravitated to your lab sister, Zoey, and every possible toy you could fit in your mouth. You loved being tucked in tight to your humans at night, under a blanket of course. In turn, we were rewarded with “white noise” listening to you snore. It took years for you to fully blossom into a social dog with family & friends. But you trusted us not to put you in harm's way and opened up to show your love & kindness to everyone. My heart was filled with joy when your “springer” of a tail would wag back and forth. Finally showing you happiness was my mission in life. We’ve known for several months you were getting sicker, but you fought like a warrior. You fought to give us all the love in your heart. Scout, my hope is that we returned that love so fiercely that it helped erase the memories of that first part of your life. You were a gentleman, a toy hog, and the best friend I could have ever asked for. Thank you for choosing us all those years ago. I will say goodnight the same as always. The chorus from “your” song that I’ve sung to you since the beginning, until today as you cross the rainbow bridge… “Godspeed, little man. Sweet dreams, little man. Oh, my love will fly to you each night on angel’s wings. Godspeed. Sweet dreams.” (Godspeed by The Chicks) Final day photos include a chocolate frosty. We received this precious obituary for our Alumnus Buddy from his dad Garnett. Buddy, formerly Birdy, lived with his family for 12 years. Garnett said, “Our first GSP rescue, Buddy, has died. He was, and always will be, a member of our family. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to share this wonderful animal’s life.”
31 May 2024 Today at 2:15 PM, Buddy Kelsoe of Durham, North Carolina, died as a consequence of an aggressive lymphoma. He was 13 years and 9 months old. A champion beach runner, he was first named Birdy by SEGSP Rescue, but known along the North Carolina coast by his professional name, Little Buddy Thumper. Shortly before passing, he was surrounded by his family – both human and canine. He got to eat chocolate. Buddy was a friend to everyone he met. He loved squirrels and cats, played with birds along the beaches of Bald Head Island, and feared nothing save loud noises, electric leaf blowers, deep water, fireworks, and baths. His human friends cherished him, his animal friends often took advantage of his generosity. Buddy was a GSP or maybe an EP or maybe a little of both. His family never really cared. They loved the sound of this tail wagging – thumping - against walls, the floor, expensive art. That is how he earned his nickname, Thumper, and how he charmed everyone except a few idiots that kept expensive artwork at knee (or rather, tail) height. Buddy was as friendly as his adopted sister was not – unlike her, Buddy never bit a neighbor or even ate a cat. He never counter surfed but pound-for-pound could put away more Thanksgiving leftovers than any dog in North Carolina. Buddy loved to ride in his dad’s truck, especially if he could let his ears flap in the breeze. And his tongue! His next most favorite thing was to roll in dead seabird, with 10- day pelican at the top of his list. Little Buddy Thumper will be missed. He was a good dog. Garnett In 2021 our sweet senior Flint in Georgia received his freedom ride from the GA shelter and went on to have an amazing life with his family. Sadly, we’ve learned that Flint has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. The original 2021 welcome post for Flint told his rescue story so well:
“Bless our amazing volunteers and adopters who are willing to unconditionally love our less-than-perfect dogs in need who are perfect in their own way. Flint has a total of maybe four teeth left, less-than-stellar eyesight, possibly selective hearing (like any GSP), and several hanging tumors and other masses that will need to be looked at. Big thanks to Monroe County Animal Services for giving this guy a chance when they were over capacity and SEGSP volunteers Cathy for transporting, Sandee for giving him a welcoming home to rest for the week, and Aisha who will be his foster. It takes a village!” His forever mom Lesley said, “He was 10 when I adopted him, and he must have had a hard life because he really wasn’t interested much in humans. I think he had trust issues. Very sad what some of these dogs go through. We ended up getting along well though. He ate good food, slept on a sofa, went to my office every day with me, and went on long walks. He never was a cuddle bug as most GSPs are, but I made sure he had a comfortable safe last 3 years. I have taken his ashes to my cabin where my other dogs are buried. He’ll have a marker and be remembered. I appreciate all you do for these very special dogs.” Flint, you will also be memorialized on the SEGSP website, with so many others that have started their Rainbow Bridge journey. "There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others." Mandy Hale Our hearts are heavy in sharing the passing of our precious Izzy. She came into our family as a rescue/ foster 6 yrs ago, tied up to a truck in 98 degrees NC heat, barely able to walk, and desperate for love. That life was over- we absolutely fell in love with her sweet soul. She was quite the character, playful in spirit, friendly to all humans and dogs, and happy to love freely. She loved her pack and anyone who would hold her paw and pet her! She loved her daily neighborhood walks and life as a couch hound. She went everywhere with us-hiking, boating, beaching, and snoozing wherever we were.
Unfortunately, tumors on her lungs, spleen and kidneys rapidly overtook her. We made the painful decision to allow her to pass peacefully. She will always live in our hearts. Her goofy spirit and happy heart are flying high in heaven. We’re so thankful to Southeast GSP Rescue for helping to give this special breed a chance to live the lives they deserve. Tricia and Rich Fisher. With heavy hearts we share that Able, who has been a SEGSP foster dog since 2022, has left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Abel, aka Able Baker, was 12 years old and found as a stray along with a Lab/GSP female in NC. He had heartworms and sadly, by the time he was found they were extensive and did damage to his heart. After some fainting spells, he was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and was put on medication that was helping. Tragically, he was recently diagnosed with mast cell cancer that spread quickly. His foster mom Lynn said, “Our hearts are broken, but the Vet again assured us of Able’s terminal state and that we were doing the best for him. That gave us a bit more peace. Emotions are a bit raw. I was able to love on his sweet face … it was very peaceful and very quick. He is now safely in our back yard. Thank you for allowing us to join you in God’s work for the “least of these”— for an unexpected year with Able. He enjoyed countless walks and surveying his “domain” from the front porch. He was a great protector and let us know whenever a bear was in the area. I always felt more safe when we walked. I shall miss his company and comforting presence.” Thank you to Lynn and Tom for loving Able and being with him at the end of his journey. He is starting a new journey, and we know it is cancer-free. Thank you also to Evelyn who took care of Able through his heartworm treatment in early 2023.
Very sad news today… Duke, our 2015 Alumnus (formerly Drake) has passed away. His mom Susan is heartbroken and sent us this message…
“This past weekend we suddenly lost Duke from a ruptured tumor on his liver. I have no words to explain the sadness my family feels at losing our sweet boy. It is heightened because we lost Harley just a few months ago. Our house is so quiet and sad, and we are doing our best to make it every day. Duke (Drake) came to us in 2015 when he was let go by his owner who couldn't care for him anymore. He had been bitten by a poisonous snake and they couldn't afford to help him. SEGSP Rescue stepped in, and we were going to "foster" him. As soon as I met the transport to get him home and took one look at him, I knew I was going to be a foster fail. He was in terrible shape but had the sweetest eyes...I fell in love instantly. Harley (our other GSP), the kids and my husband and I decided that he was part of the family, and he has been our goofy, fun, handsome, naughty in the best way, boy ever since. Duke loved to go running with me and Harley, sleep on top of at least one of the family members, chase tennis balls, counter surf, crawl into the strangest places, take car rides and constantly beg for our attention. WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Every morning, he drove with me to take the kids to school and to say HELLO to everyone in the carpool lines. He loved seeing the guys at the car wash and was happiest when all of that was followed up with a good trail run. Duke was feeling fun and frisky until he wasn't. I noticed on Thursday afternoon that he "cried" a little when jumping out of the car after taking the kids to school. I had him at the vet the next morning. I thought it was arthritis since he is so active and wanted to get it checked out. We couldn't find anything particularly wrong with him, so we scheduled an ultrasound and headed home. I felt like he was getting weaker and decided to head to the emergency vet Friday night. We found out then that he had a tumor on his liver that had burst, and his belly was filling with blood. We got an ultrasound, and they told us the devastating news that it had spread all over. We laid with him for a couple hours telling him how much we loved him and said Goodbye Saturday morning. He was so weak by then he just laid in my arms. We feel like this isn't real and are still in total shock. We know Harley was waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge.... We miss you Sweet Duke and we want you to remember you were the Best and Most Handsome Boy In all THE LAND! Duke....aka... Bubby..aka.... Bo.... 2011-2024 RIP ““Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson We have very sad news... Jake, in FL, has left for the Rainbow Bridge.
Jake's rescue journey began with his time at a shelter when he was found as a stray in Miami and was in very bad condition, including a severe UTI. He was finally brought into rescue in late August of 2023, and he was deemed the sweetest, happiest, and most playful pup in rescue. He had a cute smirk that he used to his advantage to get pets and love. Jake was simply happy to be loved and well cared for. We can only imagine what his life was like before rescue, but we do know he had the best 9 months any dog could ask for… camping trips, dogs to play with, parks to explore, soft dog beds, and he loved to wake up during the night to give his humans kisses then go back to bed. Thank you to everyone who made Jake's journey loved and happy. Tragically, Jake was quite ill, possibly with renal disease, and left this world, but he will not be forgotten. Enjoy the rainbow bridge sweet Jake – you are forever memorialized on our website page (https://www.segsprescue.org/in-memory-of.html) and in our hearts. The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way. Unknown Sad news… we learned our 2011 Alumnus Buck has passed away.
Buck came to rescue when he was surrendered to us by his owners in 2011 and was fostered by our AL/MS State Coordinator Beth. She cared for Buck and found an awesome home for him with Dennis and Liz in early 2012. His dad Dennis said, “Buck was an awesome GSP… Buck was very sweet and gentle with all humans, especially kids and other animals. You could take him anywhere. I even took him to see people in assisted living facilities and he was amazing. My family and other GSP, Mollie, miss him so much. Buck died peacefully at home surrounded by family a couple of weeks ago and he was 14 years old.” “The world would be a much nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” M.K.Clinton |
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