 Terrier Club Rescue Forum
Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
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Corinne
 
January 11 at 14:20
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Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
One more year end note from Michelle.
As you might guess, not all dogs taken in end up adopted.. some do die in foster care.
I personally have shed tears over these little ones.
Please pray my foster Sedona doesnt end on this list next year.. we wont know until February if her xray was clear or not, if she is healthy enough for adoption.
corinne
Dear Friends,
A few of you have written me asking about the 9 Cairns I listed as having crossed the Bridge during 2003. I apologize for not providing more information on them. Many of you haven’t been here all year and weren’t able to read about the little ones we lost last year.
So I thought it only fitting that we take a moment to remember those little ones who didn’t make it to their own “forever homes”, but who were, nonetheless, deeply loved while in the sheltering arms of Col. Potter. They are at the Bridge, alongside the real Col. Potter, and are restored to health and vigor, running free with all the other Cairns there.
January, 2003, was a very painful month for CPCRN. Within 3 days we lost 2 of our furkids: Mathew and Keely. Mathew was Kaaren Jones’ foster, and as she wrote so movingly, he, “…lost his valiant fight with a brain infection…” on the 25th. He was a baby, saved by us from a life of puppymill horror, and he was deeply loved and mourned by all of us during his brief life here. Keely was Lynell Porter’s foster. She was a shelter stray who was suffering from severe pancreatitis when she was rescued. Sadly, in addition to her physical problems, which she fought so hard to overcome, Keely was haunted by her inner demons, which her diminished vision and total deafness compelled her to fight in isolation. Her demons were so enormous that no amount of love, training and/or reassurance were sufficient to overcome the horrible past we can only imagine was hers. She feared being touched and being loved. She could only lash out at anyone who tried to help and comfort her, she had no choice. With much regret and after all avenues were explored, we sadly agreed with the professional advise that we received that little Keely could only find peace at the Bridge. It broke our hearts.
February continued the painful losses of the month before: Sadie, a little one whom we rescued, died suddenly and without warning, of a brain aneurism on the 6th, and a mere one day later we were devastated to learn that Charlie, 10 years old and heartworm positive when he was rescued, died of kidney failure at his foster home. Then, on the 21nd, Dixie, another 10 year old Cairn, succumbed to mammory cancer. She was in intractable pain and her situation was terminal. She was helped over the Bridge by her loving foster Mommy, Melissa Dudley. Our hearts, already broken, seemed almost beyond repair.
Heidi, a little girl whom we saved, was already in liver and kidney failure when she came into our arms. The veterinarian who treated her told Lynell, her loving Foster Mom, that she was suffering and, sadly, there was no hope. So Heidi was lovingly held and gently helped over the Bridge.
June saw us lose Gwendolyn, Deirdre Bailleu’s 12 year old foster. She died of old age. But she was much loved and deeply mourned by all of us.
In July, Gumbo, one of Sandy Allen’s foster boys, was unable to survive the treatment for heartworm that he was undergoing at the veterinary hospital that was trying so hard to save him. Again we cried for a life so needless lost.
And then there was Theo. Dear Theo, whom Lynell did everything she possibly could to rescue from the demons which not only haunted him, but over which he had no control. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars were spent trying everything we, and Lynell, could possibly think of, to save this little boy. Every behavior modification technique, every training tool, every physical test available was undertaken to try to rehabilitate this little one. No expense was spared. But more importantly, no act of human kindness and love…no method of behavior modification and retraining was overlooked in an all-out attempt to save Theo. Lynell and her husband endured many painful and potentially debilitating injuries in a fierce attempt to save Theo from himself. Alas, his demons, like Keely’s, were too firmly entrenched, too enormous and long standing to be overcome. Theo was loved and adored the entire time he was in Lynell’s care. And he was loved and helped to the only place where he could, at long last, find peace…at the Bridge. August 6th, 2003, saw our last loss. But not, by any means, our least. Theo stands as a testament to the desperate need for organizations like CPCRN, and for the profound need for humane and loving treatment of all God’s creatures…so the demons that destroyed Theo are banished from the hearts and souls of these wonderful little dogs forevermore.
CPCRN took in 233 needy Cairns in 2003. We helped 187 of them to find their own “happily ever afters”. But our hearts still ache from the holes left by the loss of the 9 little ones. For the profound loss of the nine who found love here with us while on this earth, but are now at the Rainbow Bridge.
Run free, little ones. Feel the wind in your fur and the fragrant green grass under your paws. Rest under the warmth of the brilliant sun and remember us here…as we shall always remember each of you. Your work is done. Ours continues. Smile down on us and know that we shall do everything we can for the other Cairns in Need here on earth in honor of you and our namesake, Col. Potter.
Michele
Col Potter Cairn Rescue Network
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Lynda and the Minkies
 
January 11 at 14:53
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
The end tribute had me in tears...beautifully put...at least all nine knew love and safety at last whether they were aware of it or not....so sad it came too late for them.
Who was Colonel Potter, by the way ? I don't know the story...
XXX.
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Theo, Sara and Casey
January 11 at 15:30
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
I would love to hear the story of Colonel Potter too, he must have been a saint. (not meant in the religious connotation)
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john / irene TOBY
January 11 at 15:50
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
With tears in our Eyes We would like To Say a little Prayer for them All May God bless there Little hearts
John / irene TOBY
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Corinne
January 11 at 20:47
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
I've met Col Potters Mom Patti.. she now has Pie, Tessa and Ripley.. three very happy cairns...
here's the Col Potter story as written on the site...
corinne
Col Potters Story
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Lynda and the Minkies
January 12 at 03:10
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
Wasn't he a charmer...I thought it was a person too. What a fantastic tribute he now has to him...
XXX.
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Washington Gang
January 11 at 21:12
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
Wow, Corinne. I would never have thought that Col. Potter was a Cairn Terrier. I thought it was a guy!!! I loved the story, except for his accident. I always like the name you chose, now I love it.
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Corinne
January 11 at 21:52
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
well, Col potter the cairn was named after col potter from mash...
corinne
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Anouschka, Keira & Rusty
January 12 at 03:43
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
You do such wonderful work, my compliments! It's so good to know that are still many people in the world that care so much for little furbabies.
Hugs,
Anouschka, Keira & Rusty waiting at the bridge
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Maureen and Hamish
 
January 12 at 04:49
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Re: Col Potters 2003 Bridge Angels
What a beautiful tribute to these little ones. I am filled with admiration for those who work in rescue. And what a super little dog the Colonel was!
Maureen and Hamish
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