Sugarland's Pet Memorials

EASTON

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:06:25 +0100

My Dearest Easton, I am lost without you. It has only been a few days and I am trying to understand why this happened. You always will be my special girl. I was very blessed to have you in my life. My best friend who was always there for me 24/7 in good times and bad no matter what. I look forward to the day that we will be with each other again. I love you and miss so much. With a heavy heart I say good bye for now. Love, MOM

Cupcake

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:42:15 +0100

Our dearest and sweet Cupcake, you left us so suddenly, we miss you so very much, our beautiful, blue Neo girl. Lily Bear is lost without you. Remember when the two of you came to us? You were left abandoned in the heat of summer way out at the end of Pyramid Lake. Our friends at WCAS contacted us stating that the security team at Lake Pyramid didn’t have a clue what you two were!!! You were so very young, riddled with all sorts of problems. So scared, neglected, a rough start in life, not knowing human love. One thing for sure is that you definitely experienced human love & the power of the human-animal bond with us; we love you, always our “cup the pup”. When we came to get you at the Shelter, you were so very grateful and demanded our full attention. Problem by problem got resolved with the help of our wonderful Veterinarians. Unfortunately, we were unable to diagnose the problem that ultimately took your life, so very young and gone too soon. I kept your beautiful blue body with me as long as I could, I didn’t want to let you go but knew that you were entering your deep sleep and that you would remain with Lily and us despite the fact that we had to let your physical body go dust to dust, up on the hill in Greta’s Garden with all of other beloved Mastiffs and furry friends, forever overseeing Sugarland. The one-heart/mind level is the inner wisdom of all beings everywhere. On this level we are keyed into each other and each of us knows precisely what to do and when. We have made the wise decision to trust our animal companions as they know so much more than humans how to let go, when their job is done & when it is time to make their final transition, a lesson we continue to try to learn. Lily and I still feel your presence lingering in the lobby especially at night time when everyone has gone, cuddling with Lily, feeling & smelling your big blue body between us, loving us and telling us that it’s okay, we can let go as you will always be a part of us. Shalom our big blue Neo girl, we will meet you at the crossroads.

Katie Bear

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:03:02 +0100

Our Katie Girl, we miss you baby. Since you left us so suddenly, we’ve sat around with the pack & celebrated your life, remembering how you came to us, so shy, so gentle. You knew it was home before we did, remember when we tried to re-home you with that lovely couple? You stayed in their bedroom, refusing to come out until they called us letting us know that perhaps you were not the “right one” for them, but you certainly were the “right one” for us. You’ve been with us ever since. From the get go, you were plagued with so many problems that we addressed one by one, you were always a stubborn Patient but you knew we were trying to help you. What a girl, and we loved you every second of every day. We had high hopes that with Dr. Pelsue’s help, your elbow was finally tolerable but you suddenly became so very ill and this time we were at a loss and in the end, you decided to go to the other side joining your sister “Sassy Girl” who left us in December, 2009. You were our first Mastiff in “Greta’s Garden”, now all the others have joined you —— overlooking Sugarland, keeping guard in your deep sleep. We love you & miss you —- we feel your presence when we visit you each day. Be at peace our beautiful, fawn, gorgeous Katie Bear Girl. Your Mom and Dad and the Sugarland Ranch Pack

Ellie

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:37:27 +0100

From being very cautious when she first came to us, Ellie opened her heart and gave us her trust. We loved her dearly and miss our big girl so very much. Ken and Margaret Spooner Yerrington, NV

Sugarland's Sassy Bear

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:29:13 +0100

Our beautiful brindle baby, how we miss you, the house, although filled with Mastiffs, remains empty without you. We had such a brief time with you but within these couple of years, you became such a part of us and of course your sisters miss you terribly, especially Baby Bear, who after the loss of her brother, Honey Bear, was a lost soul. I called you both my two “brindle babies”. We will never forget how we met you, you were found roaming the Virginia Foothills in July of 2007, it was very hot. Washoe County Regional Animal Services contacted us letting us know that no one tried to claim you. We always wonder about where our Mastiffs come from, what your life was like, why were you found roaming the Foothills, these mysteries never seem to be solved in rescue, but we continue to wonder. We always wish that you could tell us in our language, perhaps you try but we simply do not have the capacity to understand your language. What we do know is that you loved us and we loved you and we spent 2 ½ wonderful years together, the best years only wishing that we had more time but it wasn’t meant to be. We gave you your name “Sassy” because you were such a rascal, running away all the time, trying to attack the horses, seemingly aggressive with the other dogs, but slowly you came around with our help, you loved your Ranch and your Mastiff pack and even were at least tolerant of the horses. When we have adoptions to process with Mastiffs that perhaps may have some challenges, we always use you as our example of the wonderful things that can happen when adopting a rescued pet, it takes time and lots of love, but eventually you and others come around. This is the wondrous beauty of rescue so you were our beacon of hope for these situations. You were such a sweet, sweet girl, sleeping with us side by side until the “Italians” (your Neo cousins) came to visit and never left. You were even tolerant of the Neos where you had to share your house making room for others. Sassy, my Love, how empty it feels without you by our side, you were such a part of us. As you were passing, we ask that you carry our messages to the other side which I know you have letting our other lost Mastiffs how much we miss and love them. You are now at peace and on the other side of us, someday we will all be together again, and we will always be with you and you with us. Goodnight my Love. With Love, Your Mom and Dad and the Sugarland Ranch Mastiffs

Sugarland's Amos

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:10:47 +0100

Hey there Big Boy, our Old Amos, you have now joined our other Mastiffs who have passed to the other side. You now have the status of our oldest Mastiff. You came to us as our first kennel resident in 2004. You had such a tough time, we felt so bad for you. We received a call from our friend in Sacramento, Deb Golden, who indicated that your beloved human companion passed away suddenly whom you were very attached and loved. The family evidently didn’t share the same love for you and they placed you in the shelter system. You poor baby, so upset that you were labeled “aggressive”. A home was found for you but unfortunately they didn’t understand the trauma and grief that you were experiencing, so they too were planning to euthanize you. Deb saw in your eyes, the gentleness, the love and she rescued you and then contacted us. We waited until the kennel opened in September, 2004 and voila you became our first official resident. The adjustment was so very hard for you but slowly and over time, you warmed up to us and the staff, enjoyed walks in the desert and you certainly enjoyed the freshly baked chicken every day. Eventually, we integrated you into our home with our beautiful Honey Bear. We had no idea how this would work with two big males, both neutered. As it turned out and to our surprise, you absolutely adored Honey Bear following him around the house step after step, unbelievable! Honey Bear thought you were cool and you became the best of friends. When Honey Bear passed in 2007, you were lost without him, but started following your sisters around, they were far less tolerant. You were so brave living with multiple disabilities that slowly were crippling you but you maintained that beautiful stoic nature that our Mastiffs display. We effectively managed pain with our Vet colleagues’ help; in fact your days were plentiful and full of love. You are now with the other Mastiffs and I’m sure you are now following Honey Bear around step by step as you always had here on this side. We miss you big boy, your sisters miss you. God speed in your journey and we were so happy we had the chance to be with you for these years. Love you. With Much Love, Your Mom and Dad and the Sugarland Ranch Mastiffs

Sugarland's Gunther

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:54:22 +0100

“Gunnie”, you big, gorgeous brindle Mastiff, how regal and beautiful. You graced Sugarland Ranch with you presence in 2001, coming from Las Vegas, from what was evidently a horrific situation, you needed a home and we were told that you were “aggressive” and the clinic where you were, they were planning to euthanize you. We found a Volunteer to drive you to Tonopah where your Dad picked you up. From day one, you were so very sweet and loving, and what a character! You were with us when we had the historic fire and had to evacuate our home. The firefighters came down to fight the fire in parachutes and we invited them to share some drink and to rest. They were absolutely taken with how large and beautiful you were. You tried to climb in their laps! We had many people come to look at you and offered to give you a home. However, there was one gentleman in particular that you seemed to take a liking to and he to you. So off you went and found a home where you stayed until the early part of 2009. He adored you, loved you like no other. You became very, very ill and your Dad at that time, was ill prepared to provide the care you needed so back you came, you came home to Sugarland and spent your final months with Miss Precious, an elder Old English Mastiff who joined us from the Shelter. Miss Precious has special needs and required assistance to walk but that didn’t bother you and even in your old age, you sure took a liking to her and her to you. You formed such a friendship and stayed together, very closely, she misses you so very much as we all do. What we didn’t know is that you had a large mass pushing against your kidneys causing much pain and that’s why you were losing your appetite. Our friends at Baring Blvd. Veterinary Hospital diagnosed the problem and we made the decision to help you pass to the other side to spare you more pain and suffering. You let us know it was time and that you would miss us all but you needed us to help you which we did. If there ever was an ambassador for Old English Mastiffs, you would be the one, of course you would need to share this with Miss Precious and Miss Molly Bear who we lost a year ago. We love you and miss you. With Love, Your Mom and Dad and the Sugarland Ranch Pack

Mama Teeger Cat

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:33:39 +0100

For many many years you have been with us, an era ending with your passing. You were with us in Sonoma County, California, relocated to Nevada with us, lived among the giants, our Mastiffs, with your daughter, “Barney Cat” and finally graced us with you feline presence at the kennel keeping company with the other felines who have come to stay with us. You spent 10 years perched on Mack’s shoulder at night time, you were such a sweet sweet little girl and loved to be combed, groomed and loved. Your passing over was peaceful and we are content that we managed to spare you from more pain and suffering, you let us know it was time. We always say that when one passes over to the other side, that we believe you can carry messages to those who passed before you and for a brief time connect us to them. Tell everyone we miss them and love them, you will always be a part of us. God speed. Your Loving Mom and Dad and of course, the Sugarland Ranch Mastiffs

Molly Bear

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:23:12 +0100

In Loving Memory of Sugarland’s MOLLY BEAR Molly, we miss you so much. For eight years, everyday we have lived here at Sugarland Ranch, you were there when we awakened and were there to say goodnight. You were always, and will remain our “English Ambassador”, you were such a wonderful “Big Sis” to Honey Bear and we know he was waiting for you on the other side. We felt your presence for just a little while, until you were sure that we would be okay and then faded as you joined your Brother. You were the last of an era, the last of the Pack to have been with us in beautiful Sonoma County. You were part of our dreams of Sugarland Ranch, through the development of Honey Bear’s Country Kennels, although you preferred to stay at home overseeing operations from on top of the hill. You were gracious and accepting of all the animals we provided care and assisted with their transition to their new homes, always so pleasant, accepting and helpful. You helped with human training classes, humans who were experiencing surgery for the first time, allowing them to work with you in preparation for their own beloved companions coming home from surgery, you did this gladly, always helping others. Of all of our Mastiffs, you were a Daddy’s girl, providing such comfort and love, such a loving companion. Your eyes were soulful, your tail wag happy even when you were so paralyzed and immobile. We know you are back to your old self romping in the beautiful fields and warm sands by your Brother’s side. Much Love, we will always be with you and you with us. YOUR LOVING DAD, MOM and YOUR SUGARLAND RANCH PACK

Kona Bear

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:16:40 +0100

In Loving Memory of KONA BEAR Kona, we have been so blessed to have you here at Sugarland Ranch with your son, Bubba Bear. So suddenly we lost you and you are so missed, that all too familiar hole in our hearts, our gorgeous Mastino Napoletano, your black fur glistening in the morning sunshine, your many many soft wrinkles that I nuzzled my face into. You always allowed me to nuzzle that massive body of yours, it felt so comforting. I miss your smell and softness and the love in your eyes. You kept company with your son, Bubba, and have been such a great Mama dog to him when he needed you most; How much he’ll miss having that heavy paw of yours come down on his nose correcting him. I was never sure exactly what you were telling him, but somehow he understood the language. The bond between the two of you was so special. We remember your large Mastino body, how funny we thought you looked when you walked to the “forest” with your jowls moving side to side as only a Mastino can do. Another adventure and journey has begun and perhaps you’ll meet up with your English cousin, Honey Bear, and with our other beloved Mastiffs who continue to watch over Sugarland. The Mastini motto is to “sleep and protect” and you carried out your duties so very well. I miss you so much; we don’t believe at times that we’ll ever recover from the very painful hole in our hearts. Death is part of the Circle of Life and one of these days, we’ll look into another Mastino’s soulful eyes and see you in their loving eyes. God speed our precious Mastino, we love you. Your loving Mom and Dad and of course your son, Bubba Bear, and the other Mastiffs at Sugarland Ranch

Honey Bear

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:15:07 +0100

In Loving Memory of Sugarland’s HONEY BEAR Honey Bear we love you so much, you left us so unexpectedly, we thought we would have so much more time together walking Sugarland Ranch, the Ranch you loved so much and protected along with our other beloved Mastiffs past and present. You have joined Sugar Bear and Greta as well as all the other Mastiffs who have graced our presence and continue to protect & love us from afar. When we see the almighty sky and Universe with its twinkling stars we just know you are smiling at us and when we want peace and tranquility, we simply look at the sky and the rock formation that overlooks the Ranch where we can feel your presence just as we feel the night winds upon our faces. We can see you and feel you along with our Spirit Guide and the other Mastiffs who we love so very much. The last words said to you before you left the house to do your daily AM routine was that I loved you so very much, I’m so glad we had this brief moment in time that we’ll remember forever. Your unexpected time with us on earth reminds us how fragile life is and what is important in life and that we give the time that needs to be given when it needs to be given because you never know when that time is ended. Our hearts our heavy and empty however we must remember you were a gift to us, loaned to us for a short time. Until the end you protected your Ranch. We always wish when these tragedies occur that we should have done things differently, the guilt is almost unbearable, what we wish we would have done, we wish we had gone with you those last 15 minutes and perhaps prevented your untimely passing. We promised you when you were little that we would always protect you from harm. Thoughts are powerful things and we will try very hard in your memory to know the good in all earthly living things and know that nature is powerful and trust that there is meaning in everything. Good night our love and God speed in your journey. I’ll look to the rocks this evening and perhaps feel the wind upon our faces. Your loving Mom and Dad and the Sugarland Ranch Pack

Caesar

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:51:55 +0100

In Loving Memory of CAESAR of Queen Creek May 10, 2002 to November 23, 2007 Survive by his loving family Laurel, Pete, Conrad and his sister, Lucy. Caesar graced Sugarland Ranch with his magnificant presence until he found his forever family. I’m sure Walt Whitman spoke for Caesar and would have offered this to Caesar’s forever family as his philosophy. “Friends Laurel, Pete and Conrad, I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contained; I stand and look at them long and long; They do not sweat and whine about their condition; They do no lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins; They do no make me sick discussing Their duty to God; Not one is dissatisfied – not one is demented with the mania of owning things; Not one kneels to another; nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago; Not one is respectable or industrious over the whole earth.” ---------A Kindred Soul, Walt Whitman Caesar, we will miss you so very much and know that you have joined your sister and all our Mastiffs who have chosen to leave this earth at this time. We know how painful this journey is to those of us who are left behind. Know that we love you so much and know that you are now released from your body , without pain and we know you’re running like the wind in a perfect body, you are so brave and courageous, a lesson that we on earth can learn, your spirit remains with us to guide us. God speed and we are so blessed that you found your forever family and for a brief time experienced love and devotion to its highest level.

Bubba Bear

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:38:53 +0100

In Loving Memory of Sugarland's BUBBA BEAR November 4, 2001 to July 30, 2008 BUBBA’S STORY WITH LOVE Bubba, it’s been a few days since we said goodbye. This Mastiff goodbye has been difficult……as they all are. This goodbye has been different because of your very clear declaration and will to continue with me here in this lifetime despite your pain & my unwillingness to let you go. I had to make the decision on your behalf to help you with the final transition and it broke my heart. You are my Soulmate. You are so very brave and courageous. You are my child, my son, my beautiful Mastino Napoletano, my “Benno”, forever my Guardian and Protector. You joined us April 30, 2003, without a name and with an elbow that was riddled with pain. You didn’t have any Vet care for a mauled forelimb and somehow you survived. When I met you, you didn’t trust humans, you were terrified and unable to exit the car. It took three days of me feeding you in the back of the Suburban, growling, snapping and finally you allowed me to pet your head and help you out of the car. Slowly, we became such friends, our eyes talked to each other, and we started a five year journey together. You taught me courage, bravery, patience and unconditional love. Your right elbow fractured in November, 2004, it was a very bad fracture. Multiple attempts were made to repair it and finally an amputation. We tried an amputation leaving part of your “arm” so that I could perhaps trial prosthesis. I searched the nation for the expertise to fabricate such a device and the technology was simply not there due to your other problems not the least was hip dysplasia and your other elbow wasn’t very good either. You allowed me to treat the wound that developed on your “stump” and we thought we had it licked, almost figuring out how to cast it and perhaps the technology finally for a prosthetic device. Unfortunately, your “stump” became infected, so badly it threatened your life. Dr. Pelsue then did a full amputation and you remained three legged. You were quite functional and with Dr. Pelsue’s help, we were able to keep pain well managed. Ultimately, the ligaments holding your remaining “arm” gave way and once again you had to make an adaptation as did I. I learned how to help you mobilize using a front end harness. We made a miraculous trip to Montana in 2006 and had a custom cart fabricated for you, although you never did like the cart and we worked so well together as a team, we learned how to communicate with each other and move together, the relationship that continued to develop was phenomenal and very special. You loved rides in the van, sticking that beautiful big Neo head out of the window, you tore up all the seats in the van, and you were such a rascal. You also became a one person dog and my ultimate Protector. Your Dad was so patient with you knowing how much I loved you, how much he tolerated sometimes not being able to come into our space or move freely when you were with me. Your Dad took special delight (as well as some of our Staff) in being used as “bait” to get you to move from one room to another when you were in a stubborn mood. Your Dad’s favorite story that he loves to tell, being an Irishman, is about you riding in the back of the Jeep with me. A very nasty man harassed me following me along the streets on his motorcycle until we reached a stop light at which time he attempted to reach into the Jeep to grab me. You came flying from the back of the Jeep on your remaining 3 legs barking, teeth slashing and knocked the nasty man and his motorcycle to the ground! Your Dad was very proud of you that day for protecting me, my forever Angel. The love between us continued to grow as did our communication and language. The special bond that develops is similar to what mothers must experience with special needs children. There is nothing in this world that could possibly replace the years we had together and the special bond we shared. The daily care that you needed, I would do all over again if only I could have kept your other forelimb in tact. Unfortunately, in the final analysis, although Dr. Pelsue, was able to effectively manage your pain until very recently, we were facing a potential catastrophe with your remaining “arm”. The pain was evident and it was getting very difficult for you to move more than 20 ft. and for the first time, you didn’t want my help, it seemed to cause you more pain. Your eyes told me that you wanted to remain with me and you were willing to endure the pain. It broke my heart to see the pain and with the support of my wonderful husband, your Dad, I made the decision that I believed to be in your best interest, to end your life here on earth. We lost your Mother, Kona Bear, last November and you missed her so very much. Fortunately, even as you were worsening and although I questioned my decision, I obtained another female Neo and successfully integrated Jeruska into your life very quickly. She was the perfect match for you and in your brief time together, you developed a bond with her and her with you. She now searches room to room looking for you since you left us. She must have somehow filled the void that was left when we lost Kona Bear. I’m so glad now that I made that decision as she filled your life with joy in your last weeks. She has helped me in my grief, shared my grief. We miss you so very much. There will never be another Neo who takes your place; you will always be number one Mastino Napoletano. I’m sure there will be others just like Jeruska who will capture my heart, however, you my Love, will always hold that special place as my constant Companion and Soulmate. As I sit here and write this to you, the doors are open, the night time desert wind is gently blowing and I’ve ask Honey Bear, Sugar Bear, Greta, Molly, Maggie, Homer, Buster, Sammy, Lady and Charlie to help you with your transition and to provide you the support you will need on the other side. I’m sure you are four legged once again, a whole Neo, romping and pain free. I know I can still feel your aura, lingering. I know you had a talk with Jeruska telling her that it was her turn to care for me, to protect and love me and so far she is doing her job. I miss you and love you so much…………..I told you that so many times, brushed you, scratched and preened you because you couldn’t complete that job on your own and as I did, I would look into your amber eyes and tell you how much I loved you………..soooooooo much; so many precious moments like that. I’m in an unexpected comfort zone because we had so many one on one shared moments, that non-verbal language, so much love between us, so many memories, so many vivid pictures and videos with sound, the all so familiar barking, “talking” communication that I shall cherish forever lingers and surrounds me. Miss you baby and shake that tail feather on the other side. Your loving earth Mother and Dad and your Sugarland Ranch Pack