Rainbow Bridge

Some of you know about Bo, some of you do not. In brief, Bo was a rescue dog who came up here to NY from Tennessee and was adopted by my friend, Gregg on New Year's Day...

After less than a week in Gregg's home, Bo showed signs of a cough that prompted Gregg to immediately take him to a vet in New Paltz, NY. In addition to canine influenza, a series of tests/x-rays revealed that Bo was a very sick boy. Most serious being that Bo had a herniated/detached diaphragm which needed to be corrected by a very risky surgical procedure.

The rescue where Bo came from, www.forrescue.net, as well as his new veterinary care provider, couldn't have been more loving, kind and supportive to Bo and Gregg. Bo went in for surgery this morning, and I am saddened to report that he did not make it. A surgeon who specializes in this condition was brought in, and in the surgeons experience, the worse case ever seen, and he was surprised Bo had lasted as long as he did, Bo was about 4 years old.

If you were to know Bo, as I did, and as short as it was...you would have never known that this animal was as sick as he was by observing his spirit alone. Just looking at him brought a smile to your face. I'll spare any further details as to what else tests revealed; but this sweet, loving animal had also been abused. You would not have known it by how quickly he trusted Gregg and I, as well as Phoenix, and how loving, sweet and very kind we was, all he wanted was love in return.

I write this with a very heavy heart, and yes in grief. But I also, and more importantly, write this in tribute to an animal who entered with great impact...clearly a very special animal who's legacy must live. And as I take this opportunity to speak for Bo, I have to urge you all to consider adopting a pet in need the next time you may be wanting to bring a pet into your home and heart. Bo was a good animal, a good dog, a protector, and would have been a wonderful pet and companion to Gregg. Unfortunately for us, that was not his purpose, and perhaps it was his purpose to be a messenger. These animals, our pets, big and small, are ALL special... they come to us as gifts, and deserve to be nurtured, respected and cared for responsibly.

Matilda