IN MEMORY...
SRECC volunteers believe whole heartedly in the legend of Rainbow Bridge. On the page that follows, we invite you to pay tribute to the dogs you've loved and lost over the years. Feel free to send along a favorite photo & a tribute for inclusion on this page to:
 The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
-Inspired by Norse legend, Author Unknown
**Our rainbow Bridge picture was drawn by Lyra, age 10
In Memory of Patches, from the Cunninghams, in the Annapolis Valley, NS
"Patches came to us in November 1998 when she was 7 years old. She was at a local shelter and was ready to be put down as her family could no longer keep her. Time was running out for Patches until our neighbour rescued her. Long story short, he knew that my husband and I were looking for a dog, gave us a call and the rest as they say, is history :)
Patches not only became a valued member of our family but also a wonderful hunting companion for my husband, Shannon. They hunted for several years, and she was always very excited to get out and get those pheasants! She loved to curl up by the woodstove after a good hunting session, and it never seemed to faze her how many thorns she would come home with.
In Sept. of 2003, we lost our much loved Patches. We grieved for months and knew that we could never replace her. A year later we brought home our Brittany spaniel, Belle and 5 years after her, another springer spaniel came into our lives thru SRECC: Miley. No dog can ever replace Patches, but I'm sure she would've approved of our two fury friends that we have now."
In Memory of Tucker, from the Taylors, in Ontario
 "Tucker... crossed Rainbow Bridge on June 23, 2009.
Tucker was a senior dog at approximately 9 yrs old when he became a part of our family. I remember friends saying, "Why would you adopt an older dog? You won't have him for very many years." Our answer: "If we can make a difference in a dogs life, even for a day, at least we've made a difference. That we will always treasure".
There are no words for the love and dedication you get from a Rescue Dog.
No one will ever know how our hearts still ache with sadness.
Tucker was the best friend you could ask for. He was always there, willing to give you endless love. When the day came, and he looked at us, we knew he was satisfied with the difference he made in our lives, not for a day, but for 2,136 days, it was time to say our goodbyes.
That day in June we lost our best friend.
Tucker was our first Rescue and he won't be our last.
Sleep well my friend."
In Memory of Murphy, from the Carsons, In Ontario
"In Loving Memory of Murphy.
Murphy came to me with a phone call asking that, since I had previously enjoyed having a blind springer as part of my family, would be able to foster a blind fellow who had been found wandering the road near Kingston. The family who had found him had assumed him to be lost and kept him along with their four dogs while they advertised for his owner. Unfortunately they had exhausted all avenues with no owner turning up and felt that they just could not keep another dog.
I went to pick up Murphy in a snowstorm and was amazed to find what looked like a St. Bernard awaiting me. He was a big boy and such a mess of matts and tangles. Once home and groomed however he became the most beautiful and gentle boy our family could have wished for. He fit right in with the other dogs and cats and I soon concluded that I was destined to fail at fostering.
Murphy became part of our family and found a place in our hearts. Although he was only with us for a bit less than three years, I think he enjoyed this time lots- his health failed quickly over the last six months, (I think he was older than we originally thought), and finally his heart just could not keep him going; Murphy went to Rainbow Bridge on Feb10th, 2010. His spirit however remained and he was a loving, gentle boy to the end.
Murphy you will be missed by your people, your cats and your dogs. "
~Patti Carson
In Memory of Teddy, from the Brytaks, in Ontario
"We're sad to pass along the news that Teddy passed away on Thursday afternoon ( Dec 3rd, 2009). He could no longer get up or walk and there was nothing more the vets could do to help him.
Teddy was with us for only 10 months but touched everyone who met him. He made an amazing transformation from the day he came to us; from a shaggy, dirty, sore boy to a wonderful "pound-puppy" looking spaniel. Teddy was always happy, always talking in good 'spaniel talk' and loved to ride in the truck with his head out the window.
He will be sorely missed by everyone who met and knew him. Linda and I are still very teary eyed as we sit here at nights without our Teddy between us: his favorite spot.
God bless Teddy! "
In Memory of The Clancy Man, from the Browns in Nova Scotia
 Clancy came into rescue at the age of 10 when his owner in Ontario suddenly passed away. He was lovingly fostered by his Aunti Bonnie until I went to Toronto for business and flew back to Nova Scotia with him (howling up a storm in the airline crate).
We only planned to foster him but a nipping incident just 2 days after we got him made us nervous about adopting him out. In hindsight I think Clancy planned it - he'd decided that WE were his forever home and he wasn't going anywhere. That was his one and only nip!
He was a big boy - almost 60lb with long gangly legs that were never quite coordinated. He didn't walk - he ambled. He didn't curl up beside you on the couch - he draped all over you. He would contort his body into a pretzel when we came home - almost beside himself with joy. Anyone who came to visit quickly found themselves wearing Clancy as a lap ornament. He loved every person he ever met and quite simply couldn't comprehend that not everyone didn't want to be sat on!
As a senior he came with the usual ailments - arthritis being an ongoing problem. His back legs were never strong and during his 2 1/2 years with us they grew progressively weaker. Accupuncture gave him alot of relief. No matter how difficult it was for him to walk, if he managed to get out of the yard he would quickly point his nose down the road to Mary Jo's - his best friend and dog sitter who lived just 2 doors away. When his Doggie Grandma (my Mom) came to visit from Saskatchewan he made sure to climb into bed with her every morning.
He was eventually diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and though medication eased his symptoms for several months, in March of 2009 we had to let him go to The Rainbow Bridge where he now runs free and whole again.
We miss our Big Galoot.
In Memory of Miss Phoebe, from The Brown's, in Nova Scotia
Phoebe, who was about 10 when she came into rescue, was found as a stray in Dartmouth during very cold weather. She was emaciated, had a nasty wound on her nose, the worst teeth I'd ever seen and was very timid. I got a call from someone I'd never met telling me she'd brought her home from the shelter because she couldn't leave her there. This person turned out to be Val - who is now my friend and a very dedicated volunteer and Board Member with SRECC.
I think from the minute I laid eyes on Miss Phoebe I knew she was home. We built trust with her slowly, had most of her damaged and infected teeth removed and put some much needed weight on her petite frame. The Clancy Man loved her from the minute he saw her.
She was always a lady - well mannered, polite and friendly. She would happily sit on whichever lap Clancy wasn't on. She remained timid of strangers but once she knew and trusted you - she was your lifelong friend. She loved the offleash parks and constantly had her nose to the ground. Although most Springers love the water Phoebe didn't - she'd step daintily into a pond or creek but after a few steps she'd be out again.
In April of 2009, after just over 2 years with us she was diagnosed with a bowel tumor. Surgery was not an option - both because of her age and the tumor location. We changed her diet to enable her to digest her food more easily and this worked for a very short time. 6 weeks later Miss Phoebe let us know it was time for her to join Clancy at the Rainbow Bridge, and so after them being apart for only 2 1/2 months they were reunited in May 2009.
Her gentle nature and spirit are missed every day.
In Memory of Hockey, from The Brown's, in Nova Scotia
 In August of 2009 I received a call from a social worker in Halifax. One of her clients was very ill and had a 12 y/o Cocker Spaniel who needed a new home. Even though I told her that SRECC handled only Springers I did agree to come and meet Hockey thinking perhaps I might be able to find a Cocker Rescue group to take him. Right!! One look at that little black face and I was smitten. I met his owner, who even in the face of his own illness was concerned only with Hockey's well-being. Needless to say I brought him home with me.
What followed was a 20 month love affair. Our Little Black Dog helped us heal from the loss of Clancy and Phoebe who we'd lost within months of each other that spring. He loved chasing balls, birds, squirrels - anything that moved! Although already a much older dog he had energy to burn. His daily trips to the offleash park were a joy - those little black legs never stopped running. Stray tennis balls were devoured - he took great pleasure in stripping the fuzzy coating off first before carefully disecting them.
He was a sociable little fellow - happy to meet new people and dogs. His favorite thing to do though was to cuddle with Bill. There was a bond between the 2 of them that was something to see. He would lay in Bill's arms like a baby, raising his head now and again to cover his face with kisses.
When our grand-daughter Audrey came to visit last summer Hockey met his second love. Audrey, not quite 2 at the time, hadn't had much exposure to dogs and this Little Black Dog made it his mission in life to make sure her first real experience with dogs was the best it could be. He gently accepted her clumsy petting, taught her the delights of dog kisses and drank happily out of her tiny pool on the deck - with her in it of course! For 2 weeks they were best friends and even after she went back to Toronto she continually asked about him.
In mid April 2011 he suddenly developed breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He did not respond well to medication and within a week our Little Black Dog went to The Rainbow Bridge.
For such a small dog he has left a huge hole in our hearts.
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