In Memory

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said - "It is not the length of life, but depth of life". I attribute many of my life lessons to the privilege of spending some very special days with my precious boys - Meeka & Echo. They each came with a story and maybe a little baggage. Though some might perceive that as daunting we never did. In fact, we were always amazed at the wisdom that came with their trials in life. It was ingrained in their souls and made them who they were. Each day was a new adventure and my family and I represented the "extras" in their cast of characters. Some may have found that to be unacceptable - we however, were honored. It is this attitude that is required to successfully coexist with a Siberian. The mere fact that they often would lie next to us, sometimes even touching a paw to our hand communicating something far more that only we could understand.

We always knew one day we'd have to say goodbye. It was just something that would enter your mind and you'd quickly push it aside. Meeka's demise came quickly leaving us a mere 2 weeks to come to grips with the inevitable. A mass was discovered and it swiftly grew. As gut wrenching as it was we made that excruciatingly painful decision that many pet owners must make. A final gift to the one that gave you the best years of his life so that he would not suffer and could leave with dignity. He passed very quickly which to us was his way of saying that he was tired and so ready. Echo left our world on his own terms, sparing us the pain of making that final decision. He was happily playing in our home one minute, and was gone the next - collapsing in front of me, dropping his favorite bone that he had been carrying. I've spent many years pondering which would be worse - having to make that fateful decision for them, or having them make it for me. I still don't have that answer.

Life has changed since they have left us. Many, many tears have been shed. I can barely say their names without noticing the lump in my throat. This ride is over and it was such a good one. The boys were my family's introduction to the concept of rescue. It taught us that the world can be a cruel place yet we are surrounded by compassionate, caring people and have watched so many dogs overcome so much. It has taught us resiliency. Each dog has a story and their gentle faces are haunting, reminding us that no obstacle is worth giving up the fight. We've made many friends along the way. Meeka and Echo's legacy will not end and on their behalf we will continue to devote our efforts and time to rescue. They will forever remain in our hearts and one day we'll see them again.

This will be my final post on Echo’s blog. Although his life has ended, his spirit is alive and is bright. He made so many precious friends through his blog and we have treasured their numerous adventures and comments and will continue to visit their blogs. We hope that Echo’s story has touched some hearts along the way and will encourage others to become involved with rescue even if for just an hour. We ask that in his memory, please donate a small moment of your life to a rescue or shelter. Volunteer for a few hours....ask what you can do to help whether it be transporting, walking, brushing, or stuffing envelopes. Spend a moment petting a rescue dog looking for his forever home.... look into his eyes and tell him that he's special and that he's loved. Tell him he’s beautiful and didn’t do anything wrong. Tell him he’ll find his forever family, and that they’re worth waiting for. Then tell him Meeka and Echo sent you.

With all our love -