CockerPals Memorial page

CockerPals Rescue

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.

This is Divit!

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

This is Marshy!
Marshy came to me about five years ago in horrible shape. Just one big mass of alligator skin. When we did a thyroid test he had no measurable thyroid. He was also allergic to just about everything. His ears were beyond horrible. I was so thrilled when he got his first haircut. He has been failing, his ears were driving him crazy and I think all the meds he has been on took their toll. Go gently into the night my sweet boy. 12/29/06 Joan

This is Sparky!

Sparky 4/3/94 - 3/13/06
All my daughter wanted for the holidays was a little black puppy. It was at the top of her list, the bottom of her list, and sprinkled in between.
Sparky came into our lives at eight weeks old. She was born 4/3/94 to proud parents Magic and Hershey. When we first brought her home she weighed just 2.2 pounds and you could hold her in the palm of your hand. She was our first dog. I think her ears were bigger than the rest of her. My husband and children named her because she was black with a little white running down her chest. My husband said she looked like a little spark plug, hence Sparky.
Sparky was a petite little girl. She had the prettiest little face and was the love of my life. She was so soft; she had such silky thick black fur. If I move my hand I can still feel her fur. She was my shadow. If I was sick, she would stay snuggled next to me and never leave.
Sparky was about 5 when we adopted Sarah. And she was definitely a princess. At first she ignored Sarah. She didn't want us to know she really liked her, but at times we would find them snuggled together on the steps or on a bed.
In October of 2005 I noticed something starting to protrude from the side of her mouth. We had it removed and it proved to be cancerous. We were told that oral cancer is one of the worst for a dog. After speaking with an oncologist we decided not to put her through treatment. It would have involved travel to NYC and would have been too stressful on Sparky. It would have possibly given her only a few extra months at most. She was too good and too sweet to put her through all that. And so, about 3 weeks before her 12th birthday, my little baby Sparky lost her battle. It was time and she told me so with her eyes. My daughter and I held her as we gave her hugs, kisses, and through tears, our final gift of love.
Sparky, you are now free of pain at the Rainbow Bridge. We miss you so; you taught us the meaning of unconditional love. Someday we will all be together again. I know that you are with Grandpa smiling down at us now. We love you so much!!
Love,Mommy (Sheila), Daddy (Walt), Cheryl, Matthew, Richard & Sarah

This is Adam!
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

This is Charlie!
Charlie( then Charcoal) was adopted into a wonderful home on 7/10/02 after coming into rescue from a NJ shelter. Charlie enjoyed walking with his Mom, the lake and frozen yogurt. He was loved by all who met him but especially his Mom who will miss him terribly. Charlie went to the Bridge on May 2, 2007 in his Mom's loving arms.

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

This is Nutterbutter!

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.

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.

She grew from a demanding pup to a gorgeous and regal princess who loved nothing more than being by my side. She loved to sing along with songs on the TV and radio, loved her stuffed babies, loved spending time outside with me in the garden and mostly she loved me. As the years went by and the beautiful red and while coat faded mostly to white, nothing seemed to slow her down. Even when she went deaf around the age of 10 her sparkle didn't dim. She finally started slowing down a couple of years ago when she was diagnosed with a heart murmer.

Then last year, the dreaded news of congestive heart failure. For a while she showed no symptoms, but then she started with a cough that steadily worsened until spells would leave her gasping for breath. That last night when she was having so much trouble breathing, I could see her eyes pleading with me to make it better, to make it stop. After seeing the vet and talking over treatment alternatives sounded more like torture and in the end, wouldn't have done anything to help her, I decided it was time. I held her in my arms as the vet started the IV and gave her the medicine that would end her life. As she took her last breaths, I kissed her sweet face and told her I loved her. Then it was over.

One week later I brought her home for the last time. That day a presence filled my house again and I could feel her near to me again. Run free at the Bridge with your sister of the heart Samantha, my sweet Princess. We will be together again. Love you always, Mommy (Diane), Grammy (Doris) and sister Bertie.

This is Candy!

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.

Chloe came to me in Sept. of 1995. Joyce had just started her realtor work and went to a clients home. It was an elderly man who had to sell the house but couldn't take Chloe. He was upset at the thought of taking her to the shelter but didn't think he had another option. We agreed that the shelter was no place for a 13 year old little lady so Joyce met me at my parents house and brought me Chloe.

Chloe wasn't a cuddly kind of girl but she sure like to eat. At meal time it was like a little jumping jack at my side until it was time for her dish to be put down. She was not going to be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Baby Girl.....Joan

This is Susie!

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