Welcome to A Forever Home Rescue Foundation’s Memory Page. On this page we honor all of the wonderful dogs who have shared their lives with us. Although they are gone from our lives, they are never far from our hearts. Please email your tribute and photo to in**@af**********.org.
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 a 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…
Author unknown…
Image credit: Image by Graham Lowe from Pixabay
Koko Lamar – So Loved
Hi, Ko-Ko Lamar the 2nd Walker passed over the rainbow bridge today. He was born in WV in August of 2008 and was one of Stella’s Pups. He lived a great and adventurous life and was so loved. Thank you for giving me the best gift my family has ever received.
Sandy
We wanted to share with you the sad passing of Sandy (adopted as April…10/11/2009) on 10/7/2024. Sandy lived a great life for 15 years and 2 months. She was born on 7/31/09 and came from Fayetteville, WV where you found her. She blessed our home for 15 + golden years and our two daughters and our lives was complete with her. Sandy lived every day of her life at home and was not even boarded one day of her life! She was goofy, weird, wise and loved sweet-peppers and beans as treats and was doted upon every single day. She thought she was human than a canine and only enjoyed the company of humans 🙂 She loved long walks, which she did for everyday of her life, until her last week. She showered endless love and even at her last minute, she lifted her head and gave my wife and daughter one last lick before she had no more to give. The miracle of life is how a stray from WV found a forever home in immigrants from India and was an angel who came from above to take care of us as much as we think we did of her. We wanted to thank you for finding April and giving us the gift of bringing Sandy into our lives and will forever remember her and look to join her across the rainbow bridge one day.
Thank you, Suresh Visvanathan, Subha, Tanvi and Tanya
Buster – Love Forever
It is with heavy hearts that we report of the passing on 11/12/2024 of our beloved Buster, a member of the Golden Septuplets litter born 6/21/2009. We wasted no time getting to his foster mom’s house ASAP, and she correctly predicted he’d be the first to go due to his calm demeanor and loving personality. He came with the name Buster and it fit with his “fuzzy face” (right from Fayette’s intake description!).
Buster was my very first dog, but my husband had owned many and confirmed that he was the most loving, gentle, and empathetic dog he’d ever known. My stepson correctly stated “Buster doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.” His only fault was that he licked…a lot…if you could call that a fault. He also didn’t love people grabbing for his curly head, but how could you blame them?!?
In 2017, we made the decision to move to Florida. A week before the move, my teenaged daughter unexpectedly decided to stay behind. I found myself alone in a new area when my husband deployed. To say Buster saved my life is an understatement. He could never stand to see me sad and would nose open my door to lick tears from my face. He was devoted to me and rescued ME. Buster was one of those rare dogs that allowed eye contact. We would “reverse spoon” and stare into each other’s eyes for minutes on end. It was my privilege to be in that position when he took his last breaths.
My husband asked me many times over the years, “Did you ever think you could love a dog this much?” The answer is a resounding “no,” and I can’t imagine I ever will again. He was that exceptional. Buster leaves behind his 12-year-old brother, Kermit, a fellow AFH adoptee and Fayette County WV rescue (maybe they really were brothers?!?). We will ensure Kermit’s remaining life is fulfilling and full of love.
Thank you, AFH, for all that you do to change the lives of your animals and the families who are lucky enough to love them forever.
Snoop (Lucky) Loved Forever
Our precious baby boy we names Snoop, aka Lucky crossed the rainbow bridge last night. He was diagnosed with cancer that took over his body. We are so devastated and heartbroken. He was the sweetest love. Thank you for bringing him into my lives. He will be missed forever.
Ella (Minnie) – The Best Ever!
Ella, she entered our lives when we needed her most. Having just lost a dog, we adopted her, with her sister Ariel, in 2008. She was the best . Every day for 15 1/2 years, she gave us sunshine. Her spunk and joy for life will be missed. She lived a good and hearty full life. Thank you A Forever Home for rescuing her, having been dumped at the side of a country road in West Virginia with her sister and brother. Your rescue not only allowed her to live but, helped to heal our hearts when we were allowed to adopt her. She wore her A Forever Home tag on her collar as a badge of honor.
Odie/Ezekila the Absolute Greatest
Good afternoon,
It’s with a heavy heart that I write that Odie, my 3 1/2 year old rescue that was my sidekick from the moment he came home at 8-weeks old after being fostered by A Forever Home, passed away July 24th. Odie was the absolute greatest – a calm, old soul with the goofiness of a
puppy. A lover of all people & pets, he was always willing to greet with a tail wag and a smile. Known for his funny ears and upside-down, contorted laying down, he lived the best life I could provide him that ended way too soon. Being by my side through thick & thin during one of the hardest times of my life, I will forever love & miss him & and his loyalty and be thankful for my time I had with him.
Attached are a few photos of the greatest dog I’ve ever been around. RIP Odie Dog (as my nephew called him), you were the best.
Lottie – Best Friend
Dear Maribel, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. The photos are precious! Lottie was such a good girl and a joy to be with. She was sweet and shy but also tough. In her last year and a half, she endured several different and difficult cancer treatments in the effort to save her life. She was stoic and took everything in stride. She loved all the vets and technicians and they loved her. She was my best friend and I loved her so much. Attached are some photos of Lottie.
Simon – So Loved
We got Simon from AFH September 2009. He passed away July 2024 and was so loved!
Rosie – A Gift!
We had the great joy of sharing our lives with Miss Rosie aka Rosalina, Rosebud, and Princess. We adopted her in 2015, and what a gift! We adopted her a brother named Fred too. They loved playing, hanging out, and going on adventures. We walked many trails together, crossed rivers, and went on vacations. Rosie was a sweet natured, adorable pup who loved getting her belly rubbed. She was an awesome greeter – tackling and giving us lots of licks (doggie kisses) whenever we walked through the door or woke up in the morning. We miss her immensely but are so grateful for the love and companionship we shared. We love you, Rosie!
Thank you “A Forever Home” for the great work you do!
Gayle, Mark, and Fred
Kingston (Pugsy) – Most Incredible Life
Hi A Forever Home team- I adopted a dog from you in 2007, specifically he was from Hopscotch’s pups- I still have the paperwork (image attached). We named him Kingston and he lived the most incredible life with us from Arlington to North Carolina to Brooklyn to Virginia Beach. He passed away today 6/17/24 after living an amazing 17 years with us. While we are of course saddened by his loss one of my first thoughts was to reach out and share his story with you all. While he was a rescue, he is certainly the one who rescued me and went on to become a companion for my mother and the first dog for both of my children. His companionship over the past 17 years has enriched all of our lives and we have the Forever Home team to thank for the work you do and making it possible for this little sweet soul to come into our lives. Thank you for your continued dedication to your mission after all of these years and the lives of the dogs and families that you impact.
With gratitude and appreciation, Karen
