A Tribute To Nico
10/20/2005 – 8/6/2021
My little man, Nico, a Bichon FurKid, went home to Heaven peacefully last night. We had a good day and so it was not expected. I thought we had a couple more months but I am grateful for how easily he slipped away. I held him and loved on him from 10pm until 2am when I laid him in his bed beside my bed. He was gone by 3am. Nico passed from this life the same way he lived life. He never wanted to be any trouble to anyone. He just got the job done, whatever was needed, with no fanfare or drama. My sister has rightly described him as a “stately dog.” He had a very rough life until he came into the rescue world..
His life from 12/25/2018 until last night was with me and Gracie (his bich-poo-cocker fur sister). He never looked back. He loved Gracie completely as he went about snuggling with her and making our home his own. She is so sad today.
Nico has been blind and deaf for the past year, or so. He still loved life and loved to sniff everything as we walked the neighborhood and parks and took car rides. He marked-up and pooped on all of our neighborhood with gusto and Gracie and I will miss him terribly. But, I am grateful that our pets await us (all “creatures” are loved by God) in Heaven and it is an adventurous, fun place of wonder and awe. Nico can see and hear it all again!
I am so proud of you, Nico. You have done well and exceeded every expectation. “Run to Jesus, Nico!” We love you.
Nico Valentino Day, a Bichon FurKid Forever
Margaret Day
A Tribute To Tanner
From a grateful Dad — October 1, 2020
Dogdom lost a great one today
His eyes told me what he could not say
That it’s time to go but do not cry
As he crosses that Rainbow Bridge in the sky.
I recall looking at dogs to adopt
And when we walked Tanner, we said Stop!
This is the dog that we want to keep
And we took Tanner home to make our family complete.
Tanner had personality, frisky and free
The perfect dog for Donna and me!
Two different species – but what a strong bond!
A human male and a male bichon.
We formed a pack with Marley too
And we enjoyed life together for a decade plus two!
When Tanner came into my world
Life was never the same again.
I had a new shadow, a buddy and friend.
Tanner was handsome, loyal and smart.
And though he is gone
He lives in my heart!
Hugh Stedman: One of a Kind. Beloved Volunteer
Hubert Stedman, known to his friends and family as Hugh, was an amazing Dad, Granddad and dog dad – and a wonderful, devoted BFK volunteer. For more years than he, or we, could believe Hugh was our Home Safety Check Coordinator. He sat at his desk for hours each day, looking across three monitors reviewing and responding to adoption applications and scheduling safety checks.
As an entrepreneur and engineer, Hugh created some unique systems (of course they were quite complex, detailed and ‘uniquely Hugh!) and he lovingly reviewed every word in every sentence. Hugh’s goal was to find the best Moms, Dads and families for incoming FurKids – and he did so devotedly and proudly.
Hugh’s home safety check reports, which were descriptive and well thought out, were the final step in the first phase of our adoption process. He labored over them (a labor of love) and often enjoyed a lively conversation with new applicants and fellow volunteers. Hugh also made many friends along the way to these adoptions, friends who honor him and what he stood for.
BFK is indebted to the selfless hours, months and years that Hugh gave to coordinating our safety checks, ensuring that our FurKids were adopted into phenomenal families.
We celebrate and remember Hugh! We know how much he loved his family and his FurKids — and he will be forever in our hearts.
Hugh Stedman: One of a Kind. Beloved Volunteer
Spuds Dodger
I’m the blessed Mom of a most precious, fun, smart, loving, silly, athletic, barky, fast running, snuggly, cute, amazing Bichon Frise named Spuds Dodger Medina. Our family was approved to adopt him back in November of 2008 when he was around 7–8 months old. It was love at first meeting, and we were so thankful to Marti for pairing us with this wonderful pup! Buddy
Into our lives there come many special pups and special people. That is what keeps those of us called ‘rescuers’ going. And this was never more true than with our precious Buddy and his very special foster mom, Danna!
Buddy was born with an eye issue with a long name (that only Danna could pronounce) and consequently left him blind. He was not ‘handicapped’ though because Buddy truly saw with his heart! He was a joyful, playful and independent guy who loved people. Buddy loved to get dressed up for holidays, go to events (where people ALWAYS admired him) and totally enjoyed chasing his toys with bells and sounds in them.
It was Danna’s dedication to him that enabled Buddy to live a full and rich life. And that he did!
Buddy’s life was cut short last week-end and we lost our beloved pup. He fought a gallant fight, with Danna by his side, but even modern medicine and wonderful veterinary care were not enough to undo the genetics Buddy was born with.
In the short time that Buddy lived on this planet, and in the year that he was a FurKid, Buddy knew love and returned it one hundred fold. We wish that we could have had dozens more years with him – and our hearts ache for Buddy and for Danna. Yet in his name and because of his indomitable spirit, we will continue to rescue.
We are also ‘retiring’ the name Buddy as a final tribute to a little guy who touched our hearts and lives at such a very deep level.
Marti
Barney
Barney was sweet, lovable, funny and, most importantly, a very good friend to each of us. The loss of him has affected us deeply but he will be, forever, in our hearts. We will always love you baby Barney.
Debbie and Howard