Prayers and Passages

Remembering three...

Readlarrypowell.com has been staggered in recent days by sad events. And, oddly, the sad events involve some of the most un-sad people we've ever encountered.

These are the passages, but there will, no doubt be some prayers involved.

CONSUELO "DR. CHELO" MURRAY

A veteran rescuer whose e-mail tips were always upbeat and her manner always gracious, Dr. Chelo died last Saturday from cancer. We got the news from another rescuer, Wendy Anderson. And we know that among Dr. Chelo's friends and admirers is our Oak Cliff pal Mary Garrett -- they conspired to help critters.

I asked Wendy to give a brief comment about Dr. Chelo and this is what she wrote:

"Dr. Chelo was a caring and loving individual who loved life and her dogs. She had a radiant smile that would brighten up anyone's days. Always donating to causes that mostly included animal welfare, Dr. Chelo was truly a blessing to us all.  She was surrounded by those who loved her in her last days, especially her dogs, which made her transition easier. She will be forever remembered and always loved." (Make memorials to Straydog Inc. at www.straydog.org.)

 

WENDY RAINS

During my career at the big paper in Dallas, I ran into a lot of interesting and very dear co-workers. One of them, Wendy Rains, has left us. She was found dead in her apartment several days ago by her early-teen daughter, Grace. Wendy's husband is in the service and was in Iraq -- he has since flown back

Wendy was a research librarian from the time she was a teenager -- quick, fast and efficient. And always fun to talk with and work with. Can't say that for everybody in a newsroom, you know.

There is a really nice paid obituary in the big paper today. You can read it HERE.

Many, many, many years ago, I discovered Wendy was a cat person. I think she actually was an "any critter" person and, of course, when Grace came along, Wendy triumphed as a "baby person."

 

JANE BAINBRIDGE

The weeping will not soon stop for Jane Bainbridge and I think that would probably irritate her. She's among the most consistently upbeat people who ever walked the earth.

We saw her over the weekend -- frail and physically diminished by lymphoma but full of spirit and quite ready to spend the afternoon chatting for as long as her energy and morphine held out. We all became conversationalists anytime we were in a room with Jane. Conversations with Jane were just about guaranteed to offer the opportunity to laugh, to enjoy a moment, to give you something to smile about.

At one point, as conversations reigned, Jane looked up at me, smiled with a twinkle, gestured around the room and whispered, "Pandemonium."

Jane had a lot of life to talk about -- her life started in England, went to Bermuda where she was the island TV station's weather girl in the 1970s, then to San Angelo where she found a husband named "Slats" and after his death from cancer, she came to Dallas and found a home with the Hunt Oil Company family. And, having watched these people rally around Jane for everything from transportation to sitting with her in waiting rooms, it is a "family."

I stopped by to visit Jane just before 11 a.m. Tuesday -- she was quietly sleeping. It was the sleep of someone who is weary, perhaps hopeful for peace and escape from pain.

I left a note -- I write. I didn't know what else to do.

In better times, I recalled hearing my laughingspouse Martha cackling during phone calls and she'd explain, "It's Jane."

Not a silly person, but a fun person. Quick wit. Big heart.

By the afternoon Tuesday, word was out via the "Hunt Family E-mail" system that Jane was fading swiftly. That evening, Martha gathered her Kindle and knitting drove across town to spend the night in Jane's hospice suite.

About 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jane left us. There was an immediate deafening silence on our part of the planet. A great voice for mirth and fun has been stilled.

Things are always left undone in the life of an optimist -- those people expect to finish everything and enjoy the triumph. There are details of closing down a life that will need to be handled by Jane's loved ones and friends. Jane's beautiful old fluffy cat Tasha will be getting a good home. "Quite the Diva," Jane would explain.

Years from now, even when the changes of the world have bewildered us beyond comprehension, those of us who knew Jane will find ourselves smiling -- probably just from the flash of a memory of a moment with Jane.

--- You can comment on these people by clicking below ---

The Passing of An Angel...

"The Passing of An Angel" ...That is the title Rev. Melissa Wootton-Bitting has given this remembrance of The Boofer, as the dog Marty was known.

Some of this is written in present tense, though this little guy left last week on his own time, having given a lot more life to this family than anyone would have suspected.

The photo on the left is of Marty when he arrived -- before he became "The Boofer. The glorious glamour shot of the vivid dog? Well, that's what love can do.

Named Marty but known as "The Boofer," he arrived in this world sometime in 1994 and left on May 13, 2009. His final six years were spent in the home of Rev. Melissa (of the First Christian Church of Lancaster) and her husband, Bill.

Here is the story from the dog's human, Melissa. This portion is subtitled "Rescuing Marty—or as he is known far and wide: The Boofer." She writes:

"Marty’s story began with us in 2003.  I had just graduated from seminary when I received a call from a Humane Society asking if my rescue, Recycled Pomeranian and Schipperke Rescue, had room for an older, toothless, midget of a Pom.  Of course, I said yes. 

"I still remember anxiously awaiting his arrival!  And then I saw him.  He was so pitiful.  Marty was about 3 pounds -- skin and bones, and basically hairless.  I thought then, 'I am not sure that he will be around long' -- he was in such poor shape.
"Marty’s story was that his owner had died, and one of the adult children had taken him in (sort of). 

"They had been keeping this tiny dog in their backyard with a larger dog.  Poor Marty was not getting any of the food.  He could not fend for himself.

"So began our relationship with this wonderful boy! 
"I took Marty home, and began to try to fatten him up.  I also took him to the vet to get him checked out.  We started him on thyroid medicine and gave him high quality holistic food and supplements.  Within six months, Marty had a glorious coat of hair, and his true personality was beginning to shine.

"We nicknamed Marty, 'Boof' -- or 'the Boofer' -- because he did not bark, he boofed. Marty would exert so much energy in boofing that his little front feet would come up off the floor every time he boofed. 

"And Marty was and is a character!  He loves people. . .  and thinks that everyone should know who he is and fawn all over him.  When I started taking him to PetsMart, he became known to the employees.  After they knew him, I would swear that he looked around as soon as we entered the doors to PetsMart, looking for his entourage  as he expected them to come and fawn over him.

On one visit to PetsMart to have a photo taken, we had a real problem keeping Marty upright for his photo as he kept rolling over on his back to ask for a tummy scratch.  Everyone that was watching Marty’s antics were laughing.

"Initially, I had planned on finding an adoptive home for this special boy.  But after several potential adopters asked me if Marty could be trained to keep his tongue in his mouth—as it hangs out because he does not have any teeth to hold it in—I decided Marty needed to stay with me.  Of course, my husband and I were already quiet smitten with him. 

"One of the funniest things about Marty is that he hates the word raspberry and the accompanying sound. If I ask him if he wants a raspberry, he will wrinkle his nose and try to look fierce and even growl—and then he will come after my nose with his toothless mouth…I call it being 'slobber knockered.'  However, this is a game that he will only play with me, his mom.

"Marty has grown old now with us. He is a welcoming Pom to all  of our fosters.  "Currently, he is taking care of a seven-week-old Porkie  (Pom-Yorkie cross born to a rescued Pom) while she waits to go to her new adoptive family. 

"Marty is 14-15 years of age now and has numerous health issues. This past summer, he had a health scare and I thought we were going to lose him, but he rallied.  Our vet said that he does not know why or how Marty is still alive.   I think he is still alive because he knows that he is so loved.

"Boofer, the Boof, or Marty—will always have a special place in my heart.  I cannot imagine what the last 6 years would have been like without his loving and humorous presence in my life.

"Many times people are reluctant to adopt an older dog.  I can tell you from personal experience with several dogs that I have adopted as seniors—I would not go back and change a thing.  Yes, you may have them with you are shorter period of time, but the days that you spend with a senior are golden!

"Please look at the senior dogs that are in shelters or rescue groups and give them a chance.  Your life will be greatly enriched!"

Melissa, in thinking about The Boofer's long life, says, "I am sure that he was deeply loved by his original owner.  His owner died and it was his/her relatives that placed Boof in the backyard with a larger dog and almost starved him.  The fact that he is reunited with his original owner---comforts me."

And, she writes, "Thank you Marty-Boof for coming into my life. I will always love you!  You are my fur angel here on earth.  I love you Boofer!!!

"Marty, the Boofer, passed away during his sleep on May 13, 2009.  God Speed, Marty Boof---Run Free at the Bridge---I will see you again soon!  I love you with ALL of my heart always!"

Terry Lynn's prayer request...

We have a prayer request from a rescuer today. She is our longtime, hard-working Burns Flat, Okla., tipster Terry Lynn Fisher, a soft-heart if there ever was one.

Here's the story about the challenge she and her pup face on Monday:

"Next week, my little Dachshund boy, Wee Wee, has to have surgery on his mouth.. They will have to put him under to remove several teeth and repair some damage to his gums...

"He is about 15 years old, so there is a risk to do this, but it can no longer be put off...Putting him under is not real good at his age...and weight..(yes, he is a little chubby boy)

"I found Wee Wee at work, on a hot summer day, 11 years ago...I had no plans to keep him, but soon fell in love with him and he has 'owned' me ever since...

"Please keep him in your prayers that he comes through this okay and also, say a little one for me, that I might be lucky enough to find enough odd jobs to pay for this...

"He goes in at 8 on Monday...Say a prayer for him."

Terry Lynn can be reached at remembering_oddball@yahoo.com if you want to send best wishes and good thoughts her way.

Our friend, Ruth, and her happy tail...

When the e-mail came from our pal Aline McKenzie I knew it might be bad news.

After all, the only place a dog lives forever is in your heart.

And that is the case of Ruth, a dog we picked up off the street and passed along to our friend Aline 14 years ago. Read on and you'll see why this photo is so appropriate.

We don't know how old Ruth was back then but she was an adult dog. So she lived and loved a long time for one of those big ol' black dawgs.

Two dogs, apparently siblings, were running loose on our street and one of our neighbors took them both into his house, took a few minutes to pick one, then shooed the other out the door and shut it behind her. We'd have taken in both if we'd seen them first.

The dog he kept, Bonnie, outlived him by many years and was a beloved, happy dog. She has gone on now. 

The dog he rejected was Ruth, who also lived a long life and was happy and, as Aline will attest, brought happiness to others.

Just FYI: Aline and I worked together at the big paper in Dallas and she would periodically fill me in on Ruth's latest adventure. Most of the time, Aline would smile and begin the story, "Ruth is soooo cute."

You may notice we don't have a facial photo of Ruth -- there's a reason.

Aline writes, "This is a terrible-quality photo, but it just epitomizes Ruth. I lost the original in a hard-drive crash, and had only a single poor-resolution printout left that a friend scanned in.

"Ruth is licking the pot after I'd made a batch of doggie mush."

As you may guess, Aline, until lately, had never had a one-dog home.

She offers some memories in tribute to this sweet dog with an adorable face.

"As always, when I try to tell the life story of one of my dogs, my brain is bombarded with so many memories, funny stories and loving events that I could write an email that would make your eyes glaze over.

"So here's the only story anyone ever needs to know about Ruth, who passed peacefully after 14 years with me:

"I used to have a pickup truck with a bed topper, so I would put dogs back there when taking them anywhere. Once, when I was walking into PetsMart with Ruth, a woman called from behind: "Excuse me! Excuse me!" I turned, and she said, "I was behind you for about the last mile, and I just want to know one thing -- does that tail ever STOP?"

Aline adds this commemorative note, "Ruth: birth date unknown - 2009.  Happiest Butt in the West."

But Aline couldn't stop with just one Ruth story. So she later added this one: "I also just loved the time when the neighbor kid, about 9 at the time, plucked a bunch of hot-pink roses and stuck them all around Ruth's collar. He then sat next to her, put his arm around her, and said, 'I love Ruthie. I'm going to marry her.'

"He's 21 now. I recently told him that story. In front of his mom and little sister -- who now has blackmail material for life." Aline adds, "Ruth looked like she would have accepted the proposal."

We are so grateful Aline loved Ruth and Ruth loved Aline.

A couple of weeks ago we'd gotten a note from Aline when this wonderful dog was at a crisis point.

"Ruth has been deteriorating physically, cognitively and behaviorally for a long time, and last night, I decided it was just time. There's no one thing, but the constellation has grown too great, and she's just never going to get better. ... She is one of the world's great dogs and was with me 14 years -- the last of my pack that stretches back to Hoover with Josey, BJ and Doris, all gone or moved on. I'm going to miss her so much."

What a great tribute. "I'm going to miss her so much."

Snowdon...

Over on Readlarrypowell.com, we've been keeping up with the story of a handsome little white Eskimo Spitz that Deana and Jim Hanson rescued from the Irving Animal Shelter in an attempt to help the older guy.

He faced many problems -- most of them as a result of neglect at the hands of his previous humans.

When he arrived at the Hansons' home, he was not in the best of shape  -- and they are veterans at taking older dogs and nursing them back to health and giving them a few more happy years in a good home.

It looked like the little guy, known as Snowdon, had an almost even shot at making it once he got into the loving Hanson hands.

Alas, during the weekend, there was a setback and on Saturday, Snowdon's suffering was ended.

Deanna wrote that they "tried everything the vet said but it was not enough to make up for the neglect of Snow's previous owner. ... He could not stand up, eat or walk today [Saturday]. 

"In the picture [left] that Russell [Posch, the Irving shelter walker] took he did not look too sick, but he had so many things going wrong we couldn't get it all to work for him to get well. We have taken him to the vet three times this last week.

"He was here 8 days and was totally sweet and gentle even with all the pills and shots and me feeding him with a syringe because his teeth were loose and rotting out. We were trying to get an antibiotic into him before the teeth work, he could not hold down any food to keep the pill down even with meds to settle his tummy.

"I'm sorry to bring sad news. He had  so many people care about him after you wrote his story. He stole many hearts...just what an Eskimo Spitz is said to do.  We think it is his right to go on to Heaven."

Interesting, isn't it, how these little guys such as Snowdon need only a few days to make us realize that our hearts are much larger than we thought they were.

One of the magnificent things about this Snowdon story is that we can all be grateful the little guy didn't die in a bewildering city shelter with all of its racket and mysterious noises. He had some "good life" and knew that there were people who loved him.

Deana says, "If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then his soul was a beautiful one. That last day all he did was stare at me like it was OK. He still loved me even if we couldn't get him well."

And she asks that we add this sentiment. "Precious Snowdon, our family misses you so much. You are forever in our hearts."

The dog who needed someone...

The touching passages below were sent to us by veteran rescuer Jennifer Lee. You'll note that there are no photographs with this.

As you read, you will be carried almost to her fingertips and certainly to her heart. She made a disturbing discovery on Tuesday morning on her way to work. And she is absolutely correct in her first paragraph: She has found an appropriate place to honor this dog. Now, Jennifer's report:

            "This is how my morning started. I thought it might be appropriate for your Prayers and Passages page. Sweet girl needs a few more prayers. I have yet to find her “owner”….

            "She was a pretty pittie girl, a fawn with a smoky mask. I almost didn’t see her in the tall grass, but something told me to look. It was too late to stop, so I drove around the block to get to her. That whole block I gave myself a pep talk willing myself to find the strength I so very often feel depleted of.

            "She had tires marks across her back, smudged black with some of the tread still visible. No one stopped to help and I wonder how they are at peace with that. Her red collar was on, no tags, and was tight against her neck. I had to struggle to take it off of her but it’s my only way of maybe finding you to break you the news… not that I think you really care. I don’t see any lost dogs signs and she’s obviously been here for days.      "She is cold to the touch, bloated, but still soft under my fingertips. What a different life she would have had if she had been mine. I gave her a small eulogy as I think she deserved at least that. A stranger stopped to help and in that moment I felt relief in knowing I am not alone.

            "I took your collar to the warehouses I work near. I walked, smelling of death, amongst the dogs I have memorized by face to keep track of who is new, who needs help, and who is missing. They were upset and agitated as I walked among them. No one is at work yet so I will have to wait and see if anyone will claim you.

            "I’ve washed my hands 100 times and I still smell of your death. I’ve got your collar in a bag on my desk and I wish this was all a bad dream. The sadness sinks in that this is the reality of the world I live in; selfish people with little regard for the lives around them both great and small. Sweet baby, you were loved without measure, even if it was for a brief moment with strangers presiding over your lifeless body on the side of the road."

Reecie, who came and stayed...

Reecie was a dear dog that came to live briefly with Bob and Natalie Blankenship but stayed for a dozen years.

Natalie provides the story of the beloved Dalmatian:

"About 12 years ago, my husband and I saw an article in the Dallas paper about a rescue group who saved just purebreds -- Dalmatians. The article was asking, pleading, for foster homes. 

"Never did we realize how much our drive out to Princeton that day to meet Mary, who headed up the rescue group, would affect our lives. We plunged into the world of not only dog rescue, but also fostering!

"Since we had actually lived before with a very loving Dalmatian who was deaf (died unexpectedly due to being over-anesthetized) , we were immediately drawn to a young 6- or 7-month-old black and white Dalmatian (female) who had been thrown in a kill shelter once the owners realized they had bought a defective dog  -- DEAF!! 

"The rescue group had saved her from being killed and now needed a foster home. Enter the Blankenships!

"The pup climbed up into our hatchback Toyota, crossed her front paws and laid down smiling at us as if she had been waiting for us all of her life. Theresa, as she was known then, 'lasted' as a foster about 1 week. We contacted Mary and said we wanted to adopt 'Reecie'

"She had already captured our hearts and ingratiated herself with our other dogs and one cat. Reecie was an amazing dog -- she learned sign language, but basically followed the lead of the other dogs. Neighbors would swear she had to be a hearing dog because she was so friendly and responsive to everything. 

"She was a petite Dalmatian and even towards the end of her life, people seeing us walking our dogs would assume Reecie was a young pup, not a mature senior! 

"Reecie loved everyone -- she was quick to come greet you whether it was sunny, raining, cold, etc. --- if she saw you , she would immediately run to give you a kiss and a loving greeting. 

"One of her favorite things was to sit at your feet and lift her paw to gently touch you and encourage a belly rub, a climb into your lap (no small feat for a Dalmatian who is all legs) or just a snuggle. 

"Reecie started out 2008 a little shaky, losing weight and generally just not feeling well  -- we know she was at least 11 years of age.

"By the end of January, she laid her head down and went to sleep -- joining our other pets who had gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. 

"We find ourselves filling her food bowl still, wishing just one more time to see her lift her leg up and give us a hug!! 

"She was a wonderful companion for those 11 years; she taught us how special life was, a gift from God and to enjoy even the small things!  She is sorely missed!

"Never turn your heart away from an animal with a special need -- Reecie taught us deafness in her case was just a minor handicap -- she lived her life with a warm loving heart and made us better humans because of her unconditional love for us."

Chance, beloved protector

Michelle Irwin sends us a note honoring her dog Chance. He's on the left in this photo with his mate, Mellow. They had 9 puppies in Jan. 2008 and the family kept Layla. "The dogs were fixed after the one litter," Michelle says.

Chance was killed Friday evening. "He was hit by a car on Northwest Highway and as terrible as it was, there were several people who stopped (NOT the person who hit him!) and they really helped me through a horrible situation. I was unable to think clearly and I and my 16-year-old niece were pretty hysterical. I did learn that there are still people out there who have compassion and strength for complete strangers when they needed it."

Here is Michelle's note:

"Chance, I got you almost 2 years ago when I drove to Terrell, Texas, to meet a woman who told me if I didn't take you home then she was taking you to the pound. You were so thin I could see your ribs and you were covered in fleas.  I didn't know if I was going to keep you but I knew I was going to take you home and feed you, give you a bath, and a warm bed to sleep in.

"You had such a quiet spirit.  You were happy as long as you had a place to curl up and sleep. You were by far the best behaved dog that we had.  You never got in trouble and I could always imagine you rolling your eyes when the other dogs would tear up something.  You were a protector and you scared away someone who tried to break in our house on Christmas Eve. We all felt safer knowing that you were with us. Chance, you were also a runner and any opportunity you got you would run like the wind. 

"Tonight when you were getting ready for your walk and you slipped out of your collar and ran, I could not get to you in time. The people who stopped when you got hit were very nice. There wasn’t a dry eye from anyone when that nice man covered you with a towel and laid you in my trunk.

"Mellow & Layla look for you everyday and it is going to take some real getting used to not having you around.  You were loved so much.  Run Free Chancey. We’ll see you when we get there.

Love, Mom, Dad, Kami, Mellow & Layla."

Shelby -- one of the "bridge" dogs...

For a long time now we've been keeping up with the rescue efforts aimed at a bunch of dumped dogs on the Dallas/Seagoville border. They are referred to generally as the "Malloy Bridge Dogs." Many have been rescued from the site. This is Shelby and we get her story from one of the rescuers, Deborah Trevino.

"Shelby, one of the original Malloy Bridge dogs  pulled from the abandoned property and being cared for in Kaufman, has died. 

"Her caretaker found her severely injured yesterday [Feb. 8] and rushed her to an emergency clinic. Unfortunately, her injures were too severe to surgically correct.  "According to the vet who examined Shelby, it appeared that she had been shot in the face, but it's not certain. One side of her lower jaw was completely gone, and there was significant tissue/muscle damage to the other side of her head/neck. 

"It makes me sick how cruel people are.  Thank goodness her owner/caretaker was able to get her to the vet, so she wouldn't suffer any longer."

Deborah says that Shelby

 Shelby had pups at Christmas, so she will live on thru them. This is one of her pups, Beto, short for Beethoven.

Charlie Seay ... made a difference

It is appropriate beyond words that we mention the passage of Charlie Seay on this page.

He sure made a difference in a lot of lives.

Our friend Jonnie England, the animal advocate for Metroplex Animal Coalition and longtime guiding light of Operation Kindness, offers this, noting that "Charles E. Seay -- Charlie -- passed away Saturday. He was 94 and had been in poor health for some time.

"He and his wife, Sadie, have been two of Dallas’ most generous and compassionate philanthropists. Unassuming, down-to-earth and private, they have contributed tens of millions of dollars to animal welfare, children’s charities, the arts and the medical community.

"I got to know Charlie and Sadie in 1991, about a year after they adopted their dog, Dulce, from Operation Kindness. They had received one of our fund-raising letters, and he called to ask how they could help. I was board president then, working at KERA. I called him back and told him that we were explandingour little shelter on Trend Drive. They offered a matching grant to complete the project. That first gift was $9,000.

   

"A few years later, when we decided to build our own shelter and found the property on Earhart Drive, Lee Schmitt and I met with Charlie to discuss our plans.  

"We made our presentation, and Lee said he would donate half of the money for the land.  Right then and there, Charlie offered to donate the other half.  In 1996, Charlie and Sadie committed $500,000 to our capital campaign, and later upped their pledge to $1 million for construction of the building. 

"Despite all that, I had to beg them to allow me to name the shelter for them!

"In 2005, after their beloved Dulce died, they donated $80,000 for a training and conference room in her memory.

"Over the years, their generosity to Operation Kindness totaled over $1.25 million.

It has been my honor and great privilege to know Charlie and Sadie Seay. Their dedicadtion to their community and its citizens --- human and non-humans alike -- is astounding. They have given generously and from the heart. Their quiet philanthropy has improved the lives of more people and animals than either of them could possibly know.

"Charlie will be missed by his family, his friends and by those who never got to meet him.  I’m saddened that he is no longer with us, but I keep thinking of the phrase, 'A life well lived.'

His was indeed a life well lived, and we are all much richer for having had him in our midst."

---  

Jonnie says that in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Children’s Medical Center or UT Southwestern in Charlie’s memory.  Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.