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In Loving Memory
This page is dedicated to those "special" mals that have been such a large part of my life. Sadly they are now at the Rainbow Bridge but their memory will live on forever in my heart......
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.... Author unknown...
My First Alaskan Malamute........
Snowplains Munchkin (a) "Jewell"
23/2/1992 - 29/10/1998
What can I say about my wonderful introduction to the breed....! I had always had dogs as a child but had been without one for almost 15 years when Jewell came in to my life. It was love at first sight and my life changed dramatically. I found out later that as a puppy, she had been sold to a man who kept her on a chain as a guard dog (idiot). He then sold her to someone else for the same purpose and I eventually took her home at 15 months of age. She had not had a very good life up to that point and I was sure she had been mistreated as she was hand shy. We participated mainly in obedience and within 6 months she had changed from an out of control dog to a dog that could be trusted off lead. She was a dominant bitch but always listened to me so I never had any problem with her. Remarkably, for a dog that had been through so much in her early life, she had the most wonderful temperament and trusted me totally and she was particularly gentle with very young children. I felt that she could understand what I was saying and I would always know what she was thinking. Jewell was my “once in a lifetime dog” and I loved her so much. We had a very special bond. Jewell was my original foundation bitch (Phantomal Prefix) and was a wonderful mum. An injury sustained to her back prior to beginning her life with me eventually caught up with her and my final gift to Jewell was to help her cross to the Rainbow Bridge at 6 ½ years of age. I know, without any doubt, that when my turn comes, Jewell will be there to meet me. Until we meet again.......
Phantomal Illanak Niki (a) "Niki"
19/4/1994 - 4/2/2004 Niki was out of my very first litter and the puppy that I just couldn’t part with. There was something special about Niki from the moment she was born. Niki was always the lowest in the pecking order in her pack. She couldn’t bare anyone raising their voice or aggression from other dogs. She would genuinely get upset. If anyone was misbehaving, she would always let me know. Niki whelped 2 litters and was a wonderful mother. Niki’s favourite thing was her fluffy bunny which she had for 8 years. He’s missing one leg but that was the fault of Niki’s mother “Jewell”. Niki adored him and carried him around everywhere. Niki was the catalyst for increasing awareness of “Hypothyroidism”. Niki was diagnosed as Hypothyroid in 2001 and her story was published in the AMCV Malamute Mail in 2003. I set up The Independent Thyroid Register for Alaskan Malamutes in January 2004 and hope that eventually we will be able to understand more about this disease. Sadly, Niki made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge just over one month after it was up and running. Niki had developed Bloat and while undergoing surgery it was confirmed that she had Hemangiosarcoma (spleen cancer). I made one of the hardest decisions that I have ever made and that was to let her go. Niki was my inspiration for the thyroid register and I hope that she will always be remembered for her important contribution to the breed. Run free Niki, until we are together again. I miss you sweet girl.......
Fionna Paton Melbourne, VIC, Australia Phone : 0419 561 009 Email : fionna@wolfskye.com |
