SPCA of TN

In Loving Memory

For many of us, our pets are members of our family. We laugh with them and at them, they comfort us when we are stressed or sad or sick, and we do our best to do the same for them. This area of our website is dedicated to honoring those very special beings that have brought so much joy into our lives and have now crossed over into life beyond simple mortality.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run add play together. Thre is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made a 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 in the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.....

Author Unknown

In Memory Of...

If you would like to honor a person or dog that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, we'll put there name and other pertinent information at the bottom of this page.

To make a donation in memory of someone (human or furry), just select the donation amount by using the drop-down arrow at right, add their name and any other information you'd like us to add about them, then click on the little "shopping cart" icon to add the "In Memory Of" to your shopping cart. You can then continue to peruse our site, maybe do some shopping with us, and when you're done, just click the "Check-out" button at the top of the page. That's when you can enter your contact information and choose to donate via PayPal or send us a check.

Travis

...crossed the rainbow bridge on May 25, 2006

How should I begin writing the story of this wonderful dachshund named "Travis"? He stole both of our hearts since the first time we saw him at the Pet Store in Nashville,TN. He was 6 months old and he was such a character. He was always so close to both of us but he was definetely a mama's boy. We had a basket of toys in the apartment and he would go and get a toy and drop the basket everytime he wanted one. The only problem with that is, the basket was holding the door open and he turned it over and the door would shut on him, locking him in the room. We would hear the barking and knew what he had done.

One time he went into the hall closet where we kept the bag of dry food and we found him with his face and half of his body inside the bag, eating like he had never ate before. He had discovered the "Travis Buffet"!

At first we didn't crate him but he would get in so much trouble that we decided to get a crate. He had an adventure in Miami, FL back in 1999 when we went to see our parents and we left him supervised by my sister and brother in the pool area and he made a hole in the screen and decided to go after a bicyclist. He was lost for 4 days. We put posters and flyers all over town and Thank God a great family saw our lost posted signs and called my parents (we were back in Nashville). Travis flew back to us a few days later. A month after he was back he collapsed with "Hymolenic Anemia" and we almost lost him again. He was always a trooper and a fighter and I knew he wanted to stay with us. He was a cheerful, playful fellow until he got overweight from the Steroids treatment that he had 3 consecutive times. He was always on a diet;but he also loved to eat if I didn't supervise him.
He would play with his sisters and brother but only on his terms. His favorite place was his couch or his bed.
Travis was a special boy who encountered many difficult illnesses through his path in life and he overcame most of them because he never wanted to give up, he was a fighter until the end.

Travis has had in the past, a few back and neck problems but nothing as serious as 2 weeks ago, when he was paralyzed in all four legs. We called our vet and she agreed to meet us on a Sunday morning at the office and treatment started. Dr. Ann is such a wonderful vet and also a dear friend. I knew our little boy wanted to get better and there was always a light at the end of the tunnel for HOPE. We decided to get a second opinion and I took him to Dr.Hatcher on May 10th and he was hospitalized for 3 days and he seemed to be doing a little better; He came home with many pills to take everyday but on May 25th at 2am Travis lost his desire to live.He was weak , tired of pain and he looked at me with those big beautiful brown eyes and I knew that the time had come and he wanted us to make a decision and release him from his pain and sorrow. I called Dr. Hatcher office at 8am and I told Melissa that I was bringing Travis and he wasn't doing too well. He had an accident that morning and I gave him a bath. I fed him and my husband Tim put him in my car. He was in a lot of pain and discomfort. I had tears rolling down my eyes looking at him driving to the Doctors office. I arrived to the office a we got a huge hail storm.Travis hated storms and he was shaking.Melissa,Stacy and Tish covered him with blankets. Dr. Hatcher examined Travis and we talked for awhile and I told him it was time for Travis not to be in so much pain and he agreed with me. I was crying like a little girl, my heart shattered in pieces, I kissed him all over his face and belly while the sedative was working and I finally looked into his eyes and I saw his pain go away and feel at ease. After the sedative it was time for the final good-bye. I saw his neck finally relax from pain and he was tranquil and peaceful and I kissed him goodnight. The storm was over and the sun came out with a peaceful serenity of joy.....

Brandon

English Setter

Adult Senior

Brandon came into SPCA's care approximately 8 weeks ago. At approximately l2 years of age he was thrust into a kill shelter . When we saw him we knew we had to save him. Little did we know he had so little time left. When Brandon was taken to the vet from the shelter he was found to have many medical problems and these problems were what took him from us. Brandon was one of those dogs who makes an impact upon your life. All he wanted was to be given some love and care. His eyes held yours and stole your heart. In the end his eyes looked pleadingly to us and we knew it was time. We held him in our arms and thanked him for coming into our lives. Rest peacefully, dear Brandon. You will live on in our hearts.

Please donate in memory of Brandon so that we can help others to get the medical attention they need!

Molly Weissenborn
Molly Weissenborn our beautiful Bassett Hound passed away about a half hour ago under the supervision of our personal friend, Dr. Anne Stanland and founder of Buttercup's hospice. Molly gave so much love over the past 8 yrs. She was my wonderful... companion and my best friend who will be missed dearly. God bless you Molly, The Weissenborn family will never forget you.