a non profit 501(c)(3) organization
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This page is a tribute to our Cocker Pals who have moved on to Rainbow Bridge.
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Divit was my first born and the reason for all the others
that followed. In his younger day he was a Yank, always a toy in his
mouth or nearby. He would play ball for as long as I would throw it.
He would show the newbies the secret of the doggy door and the steps.
Rest in Peace my baby boy. 12/29/06 Joan
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Adam was a handsome black cocker who was found wandering along the NYS Thruway. Joan asked me if I would foster him, he was a senior, and we had room. He came to us over the 4th of July, a quiet boy, with a crooked smile on his face. He had quite a hitch in his gait, due to arthritis I am sure. He never asked for much, waited politely for treats or dinner time. After he had been here a bit, he would talk to me in the morning, a deep growly sound, to let me know he was hungry. He loved everyone, and was such a handsome boy in spite of his age. He had been with us six months before he realized it was okay to get up on the furniture. He loved to rearrange the pillows to suit himself and make himself comfy. I love to garden, Adam loved to wander through my gardens tramping on anything he wanted. We put up all kinds of barriers and fences, and he quietly found a way in or around or thorugh them to get back into the gardens. So I just let him go.We fed the cat downstairs, and he had a cat door so the dogs wouldn't get his food. Adam squeezed through the opening, ate the cat food, peed on the floor and came back up. We made the opening smaller, he chewed through the wood. We got thicker wood, he pushed his head and shoulders in the hole, and backed up and opened the door and went downstairs. Finally we put a hook and eye on the door, but he still tried. When we visited family in the FingerLakes, we gate the gang, he pushed the gates over and pushed open the doors and all four made a run for it. My brother in law had to screw the gate into the doorway. Adam figured out if he pushed on the bottom of the gate, he could push it up, and around like a swinging door, and get out, so Fred had to double screw it. Last year, he pushed out the screen on the screened porch at my sisters and went for a walk, Luckily a neighbor found him and kept him til we got back. Here at home he pushed through the screen on our back door, got into the yard, managed to push the gate up and squeeze under it and went two doors down where they were having a party. Our next door neighbors got him and kept him til we got back. At the cocker picnic when all the dogs were hanging aound the people looking for handouts and some attention, Adam wandered off, and up the stairs over the garage. It seemed he liked a challnge. He was a character, but the sweetest gentlest old man there was. The last few months he was here, he started sleeping on the bed with us, and cuddling with me. He never sought attention, but loved it when we gave it to him. His passing has left a hole that will never quite be filled We only had Adam here with us about a year and a half, and it was not enough time. No more barriers for my sweet boy, I will never look at a gate the same way again......Kath
Max (no photo available) A beagle with Cushings came to CockerPals Rescue that had a wonderful foster home in Canada. The home only takes beagles with Cushing’s. We were to meet on Sunday. I was to take him to get a health certificate this morning. Max was very quiet but ate his supper last night. I remember thinking I hope he makes it to Canada. When I took him outside to the car this morning his knees buckled but he got back up and took a few steps and just laid down. I put him in the car and to the vets. Dr. Dan looked at his eyes and gums and said he wouldn’t make it to Canada. His gums were pure white. He felt there were other things going on in addition to the Cushings. He said he was in very critical condition. He consulted by phone with the receiving vet in Canada and the foster home and the decision was made to send Max to the Bridge. 12/29/06 Joan
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NutterButter (given name TaffyGirl) was my first cocker and my very best friend. When I went with the neighbor to the breeder, I looked over all the puppies and she was the smallest one...being bullied by the other pups and pushed away from the food bowls. I knew I had to take her home with me. NutterButter was a sweet soul. She bonded with me immediately and she is and will always be my heart dog. She sensed when it was time to play, when I was not feeling well or when I just needed kisses. There was just something about NutterButter that I cannot put into words. When she went blind from glaucoma, did not stop her...she figured out her own way. When she lost most of her hearing, did not stop her...her nose skills heightened. When she had difficulty doing steps, she knew that her mommy would pick her up and take her when she could no longer go. Even during her last days as her body was failing her, her spirit never waivered. Unfortunately, her heart weakened so that the vet told me it was time to let her go. Those 14 1/2 years went by so quickly and it was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. As I held her and she took her last breath, I told her that I would never forget her and to wait for me...I will be coming to meet her. I know that she is pain free and running and playing...things that she could not for such a long time. Rest peacefully my sweet baby. You are greatly missed by your mom (Arlene), dad (Ric) and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you.
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Cassie was my heart healer. On November 5, 1990 I lost my beloved cocker
Samantha. Cassie was born on November 6, just 12 hours after Samantha
died. My best friend decided the best cure for a broken heart was another
cocker. Cassie was just 6 weeks old when she put her into my arms for
the first time. It was love at first sight and the beginning of a wonderful
16 years. |
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Our beloved Candy passed away on July 24, 2007. Candy came to us from Cocker Pals, Caledonia Foster Home, on September 15, 2005. As I understand it,she was a stray from the New York city area who ended up with Joan and her Cockers in Hobart, N.Y. After nursing her back to health, due to being on her own for awhile, she was sent to Caledonia, N.Y. Foster Care where I was destined to find her. We had had three cockers before Candy and I was searching the Web for yet another one. My husband and I both fell for her immediately and made a place for her in our hearts and home. She was very much a little lady who loved all people and all other creatures.She had the best manners of any dog either of us had ever had and I will never understand how anyone could have turned away from her. But that was okay as we found her and she spoiled us and we spoiled her.Everyone she met just thought she was so pretty and sweet. We were devastated to let her cross over the Rainbow Bridge but know it was her time and that she is okay and at peace. We will always remember her with love. Mary Ann & Bob dad (Ric) and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you. |
 Fifteen year old Chloe went to the Bridge this morning (August 7, 2007). Her faculties have been diminishing over the last month
and it was time. |
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Susie, a senior buff cocker, came to us over 4th of July weekend, 2004. We had been waiting for just the right time to add Susie to our family. She was found as a stray, with ears so badly neglected they oozed black goop. She was deaf as a result of the neglect. She was a great communicater in spite of her deafness, and got her point across with her eyes. She fit right into our family, with no fuss or bother. She loved people, and attention, and belly rubs. She was a happy, friendly girl who liked people better than other dogs. She wouldn't sleep on the bed at night, but had her own bed right on the floor beside us. I have many pictures of Susie nestled into a blanket, or pillows, she loved to rearrange the pillows on the couch to suit her. Her last year or so she felt the cold, and we would make sure she was covered every night. She waited to be tucked in. She learned to follow hand signals, and would sit and give paw on signal. She was a Daddy's girl to the end, watching to see where he was. She loved the one chair in the living room, and if Bob was in it, she would stare at him until he would get up to let her out. Then she would jump in the chair and settle in..She would wake me up every morning and nag until I fed them, and when it was dinner time she would sit and stare at me until she was fed. She was a sweet funny girl who never asked for much, her chair, her meals on time, and belly rubs. She got all of that the few short years we had with her, and again, over the 4th of July weekend, we knew her time with us was drawing to an end. Such a short time she was with us, but her quiet sweetness left its mark. Susie went to the Bridge on July 2, 2007 Kath |
 Although Handsome was not with CockerPals Rescue for long, he touched our hearts. He came to us from a NY shelter where he had been previously. He was adopted 2 years ago and his owner returned him saying the dog had no personality. He seemed older than his 10 years. He had weakness in his hind legs and he was so skinny, but such a sweet face. He was known as "Careless". Joan agreed to take him into rescue. I brought him home and Joan took him the next day. While he was with me, I fell in love with him. He would lay on the dog bed and look at me with those big, sad eyes. It was probably the most comfortable he ever was. All he wanted was love and comfort. Everytime I talked to him I would call him Handsome, and so that became his name. Once with Joan and her home cooking, his appetite picked up. He was very comfortable and finally got the love he should have had. I'm sure part of his happiness was due to the fact that he had formed a bond with another cocker at the Hobart Inn. Many times Joan would find Handsome and Bethany curled up next to each other on their dog beds. Although we knew that Handsome had the start of kidney failure, we had no idea that there was something else brewing inside of him. Handsome went to Rainbow Bridge on January 5, 2008. Handsome's time with Joan was way too short. She loved him as did everyone who met him at a brunch at my house. I loved him and although his time with me was very short, he will always hold a piece of my heart. Handsome was a gentle, sweet old man. Rest in Peace, sweet Handsome – gone but never forgotten. You will forever be remembered with love. Sheila and Walt Van Tine, Sarah, Simone, Annie, & Emma |
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Freckles came into my life in February of 2003. He entered my heart and my home following the death of my dog, Honey. He has been ever gentle, mildly playful, funny at times, loving always. He is the one who will lay curled up beside me, his head pressed heavily on my outstretched arm. He is the one who will decide my waking time by "digging" around me and gently pawing me and licking me with a quick kiss. He is the one who helped me recover from the loss of Honey. He is the one who welcomed his "brother" Scooter and who patiently tolerated both Scooter and me when we were just too silly for words. He has always had a quiet dignity and a calmness that has helped me through many a tough situation. His impish side would also show up as he would try to sneak toys and food from Scooter. To be fair, Scooter did the same to him. My life is richer for having had him in it. I only hope I made a difference in his life, too. Gone but never forgotten. A piece of my heart goes with you, my precious little man. Carol |
 Shelby joined our family in July 2004. She was a senior girl and deaf. She was going to be a foster but she and Ginger loved each other and I decided she would be Ginger's sister. She LOVED running and jumping! From the first day she was out in the yard running like the wind. Several times she jumped over Ginger without missing a step. About six months ago she started slowing down, she refused certain foods and starting messing in the house which was unlike her. The day before she died she had a good day of playing outside and eating a nice dinner of eggs and hot dogs and also getting her night-night cookie. She loved her cookies. She couldn't hear but had good eyesight and if she saw me take the bag, she was right there with her sisters (by this time Lady had joined our family). She was found as a stray but well cared for. She had excellent manners and knew some tricks. I often wondered if her original owner was looking for her or if she was dumped somewhere because of her age. They missed out on 4 more years with a wonderful little girl. She is greatly missed by her mommy and sisters. We are all quiet today and just looking at each other, lost in our thoughts of our little sweetheart.... Karen, Ginger and Lady Bug |
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Maggie Mae became our little girl on July 11, 2008 and was only with us for 2 months and 4 days before she went to Rainbow Bridge. She was sweet, courageous, loved life, and was full of joy. We knew she had cancer when we adopted her and our hope and prayer was that we would have had her longer and help her beat it. That did not turn out to be but we loved her dearly and she touched our hearts in ways we could never imagine. We will never forget you Maggie Mae. Linda and Brian Crowley |
 Miss Kelsey Sue Scott came to me as the product of a divorce. Kelsey (as she was known to her friends) was a loving girl who could tear the stuffing out of a toy in a matter of minutes. I never found one she couldn't conquer. She and Divit became best buds and they taught all the fosters who came through here. Divit was the teacher, Kelsey the enforcer. Nobody messed with Miss Kelsey Sue Scott, not even after she lost her sight. She was with me for 10 years and they were not enough but she is with her buddy Divit again stealing toys from one another. Joan |
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Gus Rutledge-Gaus January 17, 2001 - May 31, 2008 Gus was rescued from an apartment in Harlem where he was kept in his own excrement for 2 months. The belief is that he, and the others that were rescued were going to be used as training material for Pit Bull fights. Gus spent 10 days in a Manhattan animal shelter and was about to be put down when he was saved by the owner of Angel's Grace Rescue Shelter in South Canaan. He was only there for two days, until August 8, 2001, When we found him unexpectedly. From then on, he was our baby. Gus was a godsend to us. Helping David through a very difficult time with his recovery. He made David get up and take him out and always found some way to get and keep David moving. Gus was the love of our life from the first day we met. He quickly became more than a pet, he had his own christening party with a godmother and godfather. He loved everyone he met and they loved him. Gus loved to ride in our golf cart and show off to passers-by. He had the normal medical problems until October 24, 2007 when he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous nipple. From this he made a great recovery. Starting May 5, 2008, we noticed that Gus' abdomen was growing. We thought he was finally gaining weight. We took him to his doctor at Citywide, Dr Wandell who is a wonderful person. X-rays showed fluid buildup and we took him to the Animal Emergency Center in Pittston where they removed two liters of fluid from his tiny abdomen before a cat scan could be performed. The cat scan showed some abnormalities and Dr Lou recommended surgery to see what was going on inside our baby. During the surgery, they removed another 1550cc's of fluid. Gus came through the surgery with a slight drop in blood pressure that was corrected. Dr Lou sent out the biopsies to see what the fluid buildup was from. We went home around 8:30 Friday night after being told that he was stable. We had every intention of being back there early Saturday morning to see our baby. We called around 10:30 Friday night and was told he was resting comfortably. Around 2:00 AM, May 31, 2008, we received a call with the worst news possible. Gus had gone into cardiac arrest and all attempts to revive him had failed. Our sweet baby, Gus, passed away around 1:30 AM Saturday, May 31, 2008. He is now with his brother, Muttley, and his sisters Lady and Shadow. I'm sure that David's father who passed away January 2007, was there waiting for him and is taking care of him until we can be with him again when it's our time. We will always carry Gus in our hearts and never forget the seven wonderful years we spent with him. WE LOVE YOU GUS, AND ALWAYS WILL, WHEN EACH OF OUR TIMES COMES, YOU WILL PUT TO REST WITH EACH OF US, AND WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN FOREVER Your Loving Daddies, David and Joe |
 Maggie came to us in March 2008. She was a bit timid at first but soon became "one of the family". She loved to ride so we took her everywhere with us when possible. She also loved camping with us at our permanent campsite. She was a very sociable liitle girl and just loved everyone and made freinds with everyone. To our dismay she developed cancer in her lymph nodes and we had to help her over the Rainbow Bridge. Know she will rest well there and hopefully make freinds with Candy who went there a little over a year before her. We love you,and miss you, Maggie and wish you God speed. Bob and Mary Ann |
