French Bulldog Village » Memorials

Sleep sweetly sweet PorkChop

Lorra — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:33:48 +0000

This wonderful little puppy was Porkchop. He was an import from Columbia, South America, born on 12/31/2010, the last day of the old year. His happy owner was a young woman who had saved up to buy her first puppy, and when he came into the French Bulldog Village, he brought with him all those loving gifts that new owners buy their first puppies, a beautiful little plush bed, a little harness and matching leash, and a little musical pink pig which he never got to play with. Within a week and a half of his arrival at his new home, this little puppy began to develop alarming symptoms: rhythmic crying, rhythmic head twitching, trembling, stumbling and falling. Unable to pay his growing veterinary costs and unwilling to have her new puppy euthanized, his young owner tearfully turned him over to me, wrapped in his little blanket against the March chill, hoping that we could help him. The whole family, mother, father, sister, niece, were all crying when I drove away.

The veterinary neurologist suspected distemper, a diagnosis that was later confirmed by autopsy, and advised me that puppies almost never survived the illness, but she did not tell me not to try. Over the next nine days, we tried very hard to save him, but his illness was too far advanced.

I can say that up until the last few hours, he was in no real discomfort, other than his frustration at not being able to move about like any normal puppy. He slept with me every single night, swaddled tight in a blanket to control his tremors and tucked up against my Pug, and during the day when I was home, he was beside me in his portable crib. He succeeded in grabbing a curious cat’s tail, from his prone position on the floor. He even passed that first French Bulldog puppy milestone, when first one ear and then the other sprang erect – his big boy ears.

And then he died.

Sleep sweetly, my little baby boy.

Our Sweet Ella – we will miss you.

FBV webmistress — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:51:45 +0000

Ella came to the Village too late, yet she touched so many as she passed through our group. We are sad to have to tell you that Ella did not make it through the day.

Ella was showing signs of distress for some time. Her owner did not fully recognize the seriousness of her condition. Ella suffered. When Ella’s owner finally decided give her up, it needed to be done in a hurry because the owner was moving and Ella could not go with her.

Ella arrived to us gasping for breath, delirious, whimpering, unable to eat or even sleep. She could not stand and would fall over out of exhaustion from gasping and lack of sleep. Had her owner recognized the symptoms earlier and sought medical care, maybe she would not have suffered. I can barely bring myself to say it, but for Ella euthanasia would have been a better option than being in the condition she was in when she arrived to us.

Ella went straight to emergency care from her owner’s home. She was surrendered to us in the lobby of ER. We had to get her help immediately. The prognosis was guarded. There was a chance to help her, but the bad news was after 2 days in ICU her bill was already in the hundreds and the CT scan would be almost a thousand, the required surgery another $3,000. It was more than the Village could do without getting help. We sent out the pleas. The French Bulldog community responded in mass to Ella’s plight. The cost of trying to help Ella was large–but the generosity of the Frenchie community was larger.

We tried everything we could for Ella. We were blessed with a loving vet team at the ER, one vet even wanted to adopt her and personally paid for Ella’s Xrays. She was surrounded by the best care. She was treated in ICU for 2 days, through the generous donations from French Bulldog lovers, we were able to schedule Ella’s surgery. After her surgical consult, it was determined she was too ill to go straight to surgery. Ella was anesthetized and they first tried to find the problem with a CT scan. There were several suspicious masses found. A nasal scope was ordered, a biopsy was done. It was found that Ella was consumed with cancer. The tumors had metastasized and her nasal cavity was 100% blocked by malignant tumors. Ella could not recover. The decision was made this evening to let Ella go. She would no longer suffer.

Many tears were shed for Ella. Those involved in getting her help were touched by her sweet spirit. The medical staff was personally involved in caring for her and comforting her.

We want to thank those that donated to try to save Ella. In these tight economic times, we realize that many of those donations were true sacrifices. The costs of the hospital, the CT scan, the scope and biopsy were very expensive, but the generosity of those that cared about helping Ella made it possible for us to try to save her. Your donations were not in vain. Ella is a reminder of the importance of paying attention to changes in your dog’s behavior. Had Ella’s owner recognized the seriousness of Ella’s open mouth breathing and the changes in her behavior, maybe the cancer could have been caught early enough to remove it. Had she been surrendered to the Village earlier, maybe we would have been able to help.

We are looking at a special way to remember Ella and honor her. For now, remember Ella by taking your middle aged and senior citizen canine family members for regular check ups. Don’t ignore medical issues that pop up. Taking your dog in early to check that small lump, that slight limp, that odd way of breathing could save their life. Remember that when your vet suggests an X-ray or a test, it is not just to pad the bill, it is because he/she has seen something that needs to be looked at more closely. Remember a round of antibiotics can’t cure everything. Just as we normally need more frequent and more extensive medical care as we age, so do our dogs. Ella may still be here running and playing as an 8 year old Frenchie had her condition been taken seriously earlier.

Thank you for trying to help Ella—-everyone loves a puppy, we are thankful and humbled that so many cared about Ella. Sadly, sometimes even a Village is not enough .

Kimberly Rice and the French Bulldog Village Volunteers

A very special thank you to everyone who cared for her and gave her a chance at life…

Friends of Ella:

Wendy G.

“Good Luck Ella…Kiko, Neil, Georgy, Coolio and Hope.”

Vicki B.

“Dear Ella- we hope you get your much needed surgery soon! Frenchie kisses! Beans & Opie”

Kristin M.

“Keep on fighting Ella! The Moon Pieds”

Denise S.
“Good Luck, Ella, and Good Luck FBV! Thanks for caring!”

Vicky H.

“Good Luck Ella ! This is in memory of lucy louise another little frenchie girl that was a fighter! Vicky Hatchel”

Eleanor D.

“Get well soon, Ella.”
Robin H.

“My friend Jill had a frenchie named Ella who she lost at a very young age. this donation is in her memory of another Ella. Keep fighting little girl.”

Carol G.

“Ella, I just know you are going to have a happy ending! We’re all pulling for you, kiddo.”
Jessica L.

“Good luck Ella. We are pulling for you!”
David B.

“Hope this helps…”

Cindy C.

“hope sweet Ella gets better soon!”

Hannah C.

“I wish I could give more. Hang in there Ella!”
Becky W.

“Not much…but for Ella”

Susan R.

“I hope Ella feels better soon! She looks like such a sweet little girl.”
Janine A.

“this poor little girl. i’ve always had pugs until my 2 little ones went to wait for me at the rainbow bridge this past year at the ripe old ages of 15 and 13. we have to save this little girl. friday is payday. i can send more then.”
Jennifer B.

“I know I didn’t give much, but hope it helps.”

Wayne M.

“I hope she can get better…. she looks so innocent and lovable!!! Tonya”
David M.

“Hope this helps.”

Sherri-Ann B.

“Good luck pretty girl, I hope you are feeling better real soon!”
Jennifer B.

“I wish it could be more….I hope it helps.”

Glenda H.
“We are pulling for you, little one.”

Brighid M.

“Almost there! we’ll get this little girl fixed up yet!”

Kathleen J.

“Good luck Ella!I would be more then happy to foster this little girl if you need to after surgery…”

Melissa M.

Timothy K.

Lauren D.

Will A.

Kimberly R.

Carole K.

Lynne S.

Ms. Desloge

Susanne K.

VIcki P.

Lori K.

Melody G.

Candi B.

Jeremy S.

Melissa S.

Kimberly R.

Mary E.

Melissa D.

Ashley H.

Carole B.

Josh Z.

Jennifer W.

Connie H.

Norma T.

Theresa G.

Suzanne N.

Ashleigh S.

Sandra C.

Merri Ann G.

Christopher C.

Michele C.

Christine C.

Cindy V.

Corey H.

Jody K.

Zeeba S.

Carolyn R.

Carol G.

Eleanor D

Robin H-B

Denise S

Vicky H

Kristin M

WB Group

Timothy K

Janine A

Lauren D

Andrew F

Susan R

Jennifer W

Becky L

PL Prints

Christine B

Hannah C

Cindy C

David B

Melissa S

Jessica L

Matt M

Kathleen J

Christine T

Brighid M

Inga S

Glenda H

Design Boutique

Cindy L

Jennifer P

Sheri-Ann B

David St.M

Nichole H

Industrial Piping Services Inc.

Jennifer B

Janine A

Rosemary S

Michelle L

Julie F

Jill D

Heidi H

Da Hinton

Sharon H

Sue W

Susan S

Kim J

Brenda C-W

Richard R

Soloventure

Tara W

Alice T

Julie C

In Loving Memory of Pippen

Lorra — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:22:18 +0000

Pippen arrived at the Village in November 2010. She and her frenchie sister were surrendered when their owner could no longer care for them. Years of living outside in the California sun had paid a price on this pretty pied girl as she had survived two types of cancer (one thought to be due from sun exposure). She was in foster care until February of this year, when she was adopted by a loving family. Pip got to go to work with her new mom, and she loved the pretty collars her mom made for her. We are sad to say that Pippens cancer returned, and this time she was not able to beat it. Pippen made her way to the bridge on Saturday, August 27th.

Godspeed little one. You will be sorely missed.

Love, your foster mom Vicki

In Loving Memory of Spaetzle

FBV webmistress — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:00:36 +0000

Beloved Spaetzle, known as Thelma when she was in the Village, passed away after a brief hospitalization. The doctors strongly believe she had a brain tumor. She passed away in her forever home, in her own bed surrounded by the family that loved her dearly.

Spaetzle was a zany, loving, gentle, beautiful girl. When she left FBVillage to join her own special family, they took her to the vet. Upon first meeting her, the vet looked into her eyes and said, “She is a gentle soul.” Indeed she was.

Thank you Carissa and Glenn for opening your home and heart to Spaetzle.

Spaetzle, we will meet again at rainbow bridge.

In Memory of Adam

FBV webmistress — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 19:44:53 +0000

Adam was a rescue in 2004. He came from a situation where he was not shown much love. Thanks to unselfish rescue efforts he brought great joy into many people’s lives.

He was special and his memory is a tribute to rescue organizations such as FB Village and FBRN.

Bobo’s Next adventure.

Lorra — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:35:19 +0000

Started March 16th 2011

Rescued into love and back to life eight years ago; I will miss you terribly.
Thanks to all at Pointe Isabel who stopped to pet her or ask about her. This was one tough little engine that could; and did.

In Loving Memory of Ch. Dejavu’s Annie Oakley

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:05:21 +0000

Annie was a canine that many of us as humans could learn a lesson from. The best word to describe Annie was “Grace” she had it to spare. She handled all situations with loving Grace, be it a child pulling on her ears or a puppy playing with her. She was always gentle, sweet and kind. I know you should not assign human emotions to a dog, but how can I help it when this was truly her spirit. She was never in the way and never asked for much, just a pat and she was happy. She graced my home for 10 ½ years and then even when the cancer had her, she never complained just silently took all the poking and prodding and licked my hand during it all. I have lost a dear companion, and learned in the process some grace and humility. She is greatly missed.

Jean Loyning

In Loving Memory of Zelda-Jolie

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:03:46 +0000

1998 – January 21, 2011

Zelda-Jolie left us today. She had been struggling from the effects of a pituitary tumor and each day was no better than the day before—-often worse. When I got her out of her crate this morning she tried to stand but just couldn’t. I knelt beside her and she looked up at me “My time here is over Mom, and I have to go now. Please help me to say goodbye”. So with false bravado I brought her into the vet clinic that afternoon, wrapped in her favorite pink and brown blanket and as I held her in my arms we said our goodbyes. As Dr. Claus struggled to find a vein I said over and over again very softly “It’s Ok little girl. Your Mama is here. Don’t be afraid. Your Mama will always be here. I love you so much.” She lay so still and warm afterwards. I kissed her sweet face, her ear and her warm little belly. I felt like someone had torn my heart out.
She showed me how it is that love conquers all. With unerring faith that yes the world has just got to be a good place and I know I can find it if I just keep trying… she came into our lives, this skinny, broken, abused, elderly little dog with her graying muzzle, bent legs and a history of beatings, torture, and neglect. With her bright eyes she asked “Will you be my Mama? Will you be my Daddy?”

She taught me that patience could never be allowed to fail and why it was so important. She graced each and every day with love and joy when she greeted me with her warm, sleepy snuffle and so happily skittered and wobbled into my arms so she could snuggle and look up at my face. She taught me that fear is just a word—you can face and overcome anything if you put your mind to it.

She made me laugh countless times when she so fiercely barked at the Fed-ex delivery man or woof-woofed at the vet techs in the veterinarian’s office demanding more treats—after all, she had made the trip there and made everyone smile hadn’t she?

She had been with us for only 6 months and she had to have surgery to have her left eye removed. I held her for hours prior to her surgery keeping my hands on her small body, reassuring her and telling her not to be afraid. When I picked her up later that day post surgery, with her little face all shaved and stitched up, she just sighed with happiness and relief that I did indeed come back for her and she would not be alone or abandoned again.

Every day for her was an adventure: each ride in the car, each trip to the dry cleaners, every trip to our daily drive through coffee place where I often could hear “Zelda’s here!” being passed around amongst the staff inside. Smiling faces would come to the window and doughnut holes would be offered while she sat in the passenger seat with a sophisticated, princess-like air about her as though being chauffeured was her absolute right… and doughnut holes were too.

When I look back at the year and a half that I was lucky enough to have her in my life, I realize that she made me a better person in so many ways. She made me that person that I can be proud of.

Zelda-Jolie’s legacy to us all is her never ending belief that human beings are ultimately good, and even just a warm spot in the sunshine is worth living for. I have never known a tiny dog with such a big spirit and such a loving heart. Somewhere over the rainbow little girl, your dreams did come true. And you healed us and made us laugh and love you even more.

Little Zelda-Jolie, the light of my life, will now frolic and play and fiercely woof-woof at the angels. There is nowhere on heaven and earth that this little dog did not bring warmth, smiles and happiness. I will love her always. Goodbye little friend. You are my angel girl and always will be.

Lise Lau
Hamburg, New York

In Loving Memory of Bugsy

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:00:47 +0000

Our beloved baby, Bugsy, peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 3, after a mercifully brief illness. He leaves behind his grieving family, including his canine sisters, border collie Shadow and Spaetzle, a one-time passenger on the FBVillage Bus and gentle snuggler to this elderly gentledog. We will miss his fun spirit, joyful presence, his snorts and stretches, sweet demeanor, and preciously perfect eccentric ways. He inspired a thousand nicknames, a couple of songs, and danced his own little dances. Bugsy will never be forgotten, and was never unloved.

We are deeply saddened.

Carissa and Glenn Herold
Clarksville, Indiana

In Loving Memory of CJ

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:58:21 +0000

We are so very sorry to have to have to report that little CJ passed on late last night at the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary School with his foster mom Karen close beside him. He did not die alone, we pray he did not die in pain, and he did not die in a hot, dusty pen in southern Missouri, unnoticed in the quiet, patient, hopeless misery experienced by abandoned and unwanted dogs all over the world. He was wanted. He had a name. He had a home. He had people who loved him unconditionally. CJ was a happy dog.

We are so grateful to the people who reached out once more, so generously, to help yet another rescue dog in great need. His veterinary bills in just those two days was well over $1,000.00. Thank you for helping him.

Godspeed, CJ.

CJ’s Gallery

Friends of CJ

♥♥♥Eleanor Deberry
Bonsall, California

♥♥♥Alissa Gordon
Washington, DC

♥♥♥Lisa Ricciotti
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

♥♥♥Steve Hallman
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

♥♥♥Sean Galbraith
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

♥♥♥Whitney Kratsas
Oakmont, Pennsylvania

♥♥♥Ellen Guimbarda
Saint Louis, Missouri

♥♥♥ Lindsey Bombino
Courtice, Ontario, Canada

♥♥♥Vicki Truscott
Hayward, California

♥♥♥Cecilia Scanlon
Brooklyn, New York

♥♥♥Christine Strack
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

♥♥♥Adam Pike
Conception Bay, South Newfoundland, Canada

♥♥♥Thomas Macey
Chicago, Illinois

♥♥♥Jessica Lambrecht
Hoffman Estates, Illinois

♥♥♥GollyGear
Skokie, Illinois

♥♥♥Joyce Mitchell
Lebanon, Oregon

♥♥♥Jennifer Price
Alliston, Ontario, Canada

♥♥♥Linda Gobler
Lansing, Michigan

♥♥♥Sara Brin
San Diego, California

♥♥♥Matt Marrocco
Overland Park, Kansas

♥♥♥Michael Hanscom
Springfield, Massachusetts

♥♥♥Nancy Shaw

♥♥♥Kathy McAlister
Haydon, Colorado

♥♥♥SarahMalia Barbusca
San Diego, California

♥♥♥Lisa Narloch
Freeville, New York

♥♥♥Kristin Moon
Santa Rosa Valley, California

♥♥♥Margaret MacLellan
Whitman, Massachusetts

♥♥♥Arlette Pandolfi
Buchholz, Germany