​We received very sad news that our 2015 alumnus Hodgy has passed away.  Hodgy came to rescue a bit nervous and his foster mom (turned forever mom), Betty, taught him to trust humans.  
 
As his first Christmas gift to his foster family, Betty found a note from Hodgy under the Christmas tree that read, “My Dear Foster Mommy, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for rescuing me and giving me a wonderful foster home.  I have truly enjoyed being here with you, my foster dad, and sisters.  I realize it’s getting close to the time for you to find me a permanent home with real parents.  I have discussed my desires and situation with my foster dad, and he said this could become my permanent home if you agree. I love you with all my heart and want you to be my permanent mommy -----Please let me stay!  Love, Hodgy”
 
Of course, that was the best gift EVER for Betty and the rest is history. Hodgy lived an incredible life with Betty and Larry until his life was shortened by cancer, when a tumor ruptured.  He had 9 amazing years filled with love, adventures, and lots and lots of cuddles.  It was a dream come true for Hodgy (and his family) and we know his gift to Betty and Larry, his unconditional love, will remain in their hearts forever.
 
“The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” – Thornton Wilder

Another heartbreaking post… our 2019 alumnus Bo passed away last September.  We received this moving tribute to him from his mom Julie…
 
“As soon as I laid eyes on my Bo on the SEGSP Rescue site, it was like his very soul came off the screen and into my heart. I actually started crying, it was so powerful – and I said to my husband, come look at this boy! He teared up too. It wasn’t that he had a sad story – it was that he was meant to be ours and we were meant to be his. He was 7.  

We met his foster parents halfway as he was a Florida boy and he was so shy and unsure. He had a leg issue and so we thought when our other dog, Jabu a Rhodesian Ridgeback went upstairs to our bedroom to sleep, those first days, Bo preferred the pillow we got him in the living room. He would not follow us up the stairs no matter how much we encouraged him. Then about 4 days later, Jabu, my husband and I were upstairs and all of a sudden there was Bo! From then on, he slept with us.

It's hard to explain the connection I had with Bo. We only had him for 4 years and it seemed like lifetimes. Our ritual was to sit on the couch and just cuddle – every morning he waited for me to sit down so he could join me. We were bonded on a level that is very hard to describe. My husband Paul felt the same way and he took Bo to the dog park every day where Bo would go up to each person there and say hi. He made his rounds. Or he would just sit and look at the trees so peaceful and contemplative. 

He brought so much light and love into our life, was the most gentle Soul and of all the GSPs we’ve had. He and Jabu got along and when we lost Jabu to old age, Bo filled our hearts with such love and joy. About 6 months later we adopted Peppers from SEGSP Rescue who adored Bo. Bo by then was not so interested and was getting less and less active, but he tolerated his little brother and they loved to hunt squirrels together at the dog park and in our backyard.

On September 3rd last year Bo had a stroke on the way to the dog park –we were still home and I had hours with him before the vet came.  I held him so close as he took his last breath and I laid on the floor hugging him.

These pictures tell the story of our shared bond, so incredibly deep and real. It makes me think how could anyone not believe in a Creator, when we are given these angels in our life who give so much unconditional love. Four years. This sweet boy will never be forgotten. I love you Bobo.”

 “He might only be here for a part of your life, but for him you are his whole life.” Unknown 

We are sad to announce that our 2015 alumna Holly has left for the Rainbow Bridge.  Her parents, Mary and Duke, sent us this lovely tribute to her…
 
“In Sept 2015, I was notified about a dog that was found locally in Pensacola. She was taken in by the family who found her and named Ellie. They had a GSP so they knew what they were getting into but said they couldn’t keep her because she was stressing out their other dog. They suggested Ellie go to a home where she could be a single dog. I contacted the rescue group and told them they were willing to let her go to rescue. We brought her in with the understanding that we would temp foster her for about a week until they could find another home. 
 
So I brought this crazy dog into our house, renamed her Holly, and she immediately won Duke’s heart on the first day. He didn’t want to see her because he knew he would love her like he loves all the rescues. Then we discovered she had heartworms. We decided we would keep her through her treatment. Of course, we adopted her and we were able to love her for the next 8.5 years. 
 
If you ever met Holly, you know she made you feel special. She loved “hard”. She did everything fast, rough, and fiercely. She had more heart than any other dog and was the most loyal. She was truly the most versatile hunting dog. Deer, birds, small game. It didn’t matter, she didn’t discriminate. She rarely left her dad’s side and proved that rescues can be incredible hunters. 
 
On Nov 27th we found out she had oral melanoma. We were shocked. I researched and read the studies on treatment options. We decided that we would let nature take its course and love her as much as we could. We barely left her and gave her the best last days of her life.
 
On Friday, January 19 we made the decision to help her cross over the rainbow bridge. It was gut wrenching and we have cried every day since. We loved her tremendously and will miss her just as much. To lose a pup due to old age is hard but to lose one due to sickness is harder. We are thankful she came into our lives and let us love her for as long as we did.”
 
“Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” Unknown