In Memory

Pepper

December 1991 to August 4, 2008

You came to us as a feral some 17 years ago. While you never let me pick you up and hold you, you did come sit with me and let me pat you. Handsome's son who had the same tail - I laughed when I saw you both wagging your tails in the same direction insinc. Pepper died in his sleep today, he wasn't ill, it came as quite a surprise but you went on your terms as you lived your existence. You were part of my first feral colony and I learned so much from you. I will not forget you.

Black Beauty

May 19th, 2008 - You came into my life for such a short time and at first you resisted trusting me

but once you did you were obnoxious about getting my attention.

Those beautiful eyes and your face looking at me I will always remember. I'm so sorry to loose you. I will not forget you.

This beautiful boy was rescued just a few months ago but today had to be euthanized

because of many injuries and illnesses. He will no longer suffer.

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April 22, 2008 - The animal advocacy world has lost one of its own today.

Barbara Tassinari was a volunteer at the Quincy, MA Animal Shelter as a morning dog walker.

She leaves behind 2 boys ages 10 and 1 and her 3 dogs & 2 Guinea Pigs. (Read more).

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Terry LaPointe

The Fund for Dogs and Cats in Pepperell loste its beloved champion Terry on March 13, 2008

Terry, age 48, died suddenly. Terry started the shelter as a home-based sanctuary for unwanted cats, dogs and other animals. Her efforts began in Townsend, later moving to Pepperell. Terry's compassion for animals started as a child and never stopped. Long-time supporter Lynn Morin said although the future of the shelter is uncertain, there is a very loyal following of volunteers, young and old, who are very committed to the animals and share Terry's passion. The estimates are that more than 4,000 cats and dogs have been placed into homes as Terry's efforts have evolved over the last 14 years.

Harry Thompson adopted 3 cats from Terry's Sanctuary and said "Terri will be sadly missed. She helped so many animals and gave her time unselfishly to these precious aniamls. Susan McNally stated "We still he 4 cats and a dog that we were lucky to have found through Terry. We will think of her every time we pet them, hug them, love them".

The shelter is not taking any new animals in but still have a numer of cats available for adoption. It is located at 7 Sheffield St. in Pepperell and the number is 978-433-0404 if anyone is interested in adopting.

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It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Romeow on 12/5/07. He was such a sweet boy as was indicative of his name. This guy would give you hugs and head butts. He also had the best purr in the world. Romeow was euthanized today at age 4 1/2 for Acute Renal Failure, complicated by cardiomyopathy and pulmonary edema. Although this sweet boy was with us for a very short time he will be dearly missed. Romeow was born on the 4th of July, 2003. Romeow is survived by his sister Snuggles.

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Tsunami died on 11/9/07 at the age of 15. Tsunami also known as "Honey Boy" was a feral who was found in Woburn, MA when he was about 6 months old. He was a very sweet boy who as he aged became more acceptant of his caregivers. Until the last year of his life, he looked at you as if to say "please don't hurt me" and then he would head butt you! This past summer Tsunami was found to have a low grade infection and was treated with antibiotics, however he continued to loose weight in spite of eating more and more. After many tests we could find no other reasons for his deterioration. Today when I went to feed him he lay listless in his cage and only ate half of the food given him so after consulting his veterinarian he was humanely euthanized. He will be buried in the flower garden with his dad Handsome who died earlier this year.

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Kalob died on 10/5/07 at the age of 5. Kalob has been ill almost all of his life.

By accident, Kalob was given an overdose of Ivomec to treat ear mites when he was just 4 months old.

He remained a small sized boy with a big heart. Even when he didn't feel well he was very affectionate.

At age 2 he developed irritable bowel and never recovered. This loving sweet boy will be dearly missed.

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Max died at 9 years old on 9/28/07 after a brief illness

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9/4/07 Tribute to Sebastian from Ann Cox

It is with a broken heart and sad soul that I share this news with you.... My beloved Newfoundland, Sebastian died today. Those of you who knew him, know what a sweet, gentle kind spirit he was. Sebastian blessed my life about 6 years ago when I rescued him from the Williamson County Animal Control. He was 2 years old and had been dumped by his first human. From the moment I saw him, I knew he wasn't a "rescue" but MY personal baby. And what a baby he was. He loved everyone and everything. Even though he suffered from chronic immune problems, bad skin conditions and dry eye, he never let his problems interfere with his fabulous personality. I think it is safe to say that everyone who met him fell instantly in love.

Yesterday he started feeling a bit puny, as he sometimes did in the fall and change of season. I started him on his antibiotic and pain medicine. He was still eating and drinking and moving around, albeit more slowly than usual. This morning however, he hadn't moved all night and his gums and eyes had no color. He would not eat, even some yummy wet dog food. I knew I was dealing with something different and more serious. (just the day before I had to rush Marcie, my 11 year old coonhound to the vet. Her stomach had bloated due to a spleen filled with tumors)

My dear friends Hollie and Victor came over to help me load my 150lb boy into Hollie's truck and off we rushed. I rode in the back with Sebastian holding him and telling him the whole way how much I loved him. He had his head up and was alert, so I began to be a bit hopeful. At the vet, we kept Sebastian in the truck where he was comfortable and then drew blood for analysis. All too soon the horrible results came back; his liver was not functioning properly, he was severely anemic, his red blood cell count was dangerously low and his body was now starting to kill off the new red blood cells he was trying to re-produce. It was a grim diagnosis. What the vet thinks happened is ironically, a tumor in his spleen burst causing him to bleed internally and then his body started fighting itself which made him des troy the red blood cells he was trying to reproduce to make up for the blood lose from the tumor. It all happened very quickly. Of course never one to automatically assume to worse, I grilled the vet on options and prognosis. Did we try a transfusion and get his blood up enough for an operation? Did we start him on blood and see how his body reacted? Did we just try to operate and remove the spleen? All options were GRIM...

I needed to ask Sebastian what to do, so I asked the vet to leave. Hollie and I sat there with Sebastian and while I held him, telling him how wonderful he was and how much I loved him, I asked him if he needed to move on. He told me yes. So Hollie went to get the vet while I continued to love and hold my boy. As the vet came out, before he could inject the death juice into my baby, Sebastian leaned closer into my arms and died. He died knowing I loved him, he died peacefully and he died to let me know I was making the right decision. I guess it was his final gift to me to let me know my decision would have been the right one. He always was an incredible dog and to the end, he was the most loving, considerate and faithful friend anyone could ever hope for.

Though I am hurting now, more importantly I know he is not. He is young again and happy, playing with his tennis ball and lying in a pool. I was blessed to have known him and will miss him horribly until we are re united at the rainbow bridge where he is waiting for me with Ellie Mae, Frances, LittleBit, Rookie and all my other furry friends..

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Handsome Don (aka Gorilla Head)

Handsome has been with me since December 1988. He came to me from a colony where he was the alpha male who took care of the group of 21 cats. Before I caught him I thought he was feral and once watched him regurgitate his food too feed some kittens that were just being weaned in his colony. That's the kind of nurturing guy this handsome dude was. Handsome was such a big solid boy that he looked scary but he really was a wimp and he cried like a girl cat. When he was outside in the yard I'd know exactly were he was because he talked to me the whole time. He often would tell me when he wanted something or something wasn't to his liking. One time I was out late and I swear he chewed me out with his meows saying "Put the keys and registration on the desk, you're grounded". Handsome had been fighting a battle for several months before he was euthanized on 6/4/07 weighing in at only 8lbs - we estimate his age to be 18-20 years old. "Handsome my man you will be missed".

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5/17/07 Madeleine MacCallum (Madmac329@aol.com) from Tiny Tigers Feline
Rescue in Groton, MA has been battling cancer for some time now.

Last night, Madeleine died at Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell. She was comfortable and surrounded by people that loved her dearly. Madeleine started working with cats over a decade ago as a volunteer at the Pat Brody shelter in Lunenburg, MA. She and Libby Hanrahan met there and founded what would become Tiny Tigers shortly afterwards. In the past 8 years of working together, Madeleine and Libby estimate that they facilitated the spaying and neutering of over 1500 cats and placed in good homes at least 500.

Madeleine had a level head and an open heart. Tiny Tigers will go on in her honor in some form. She is survived by her husband, Doug and her son, Nick. In addition, she was the loving owner of 11 cats, 2 dogs and 4 turtles.

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Sparticus (on right) survived by his brother Merlin – aka “The Bulldog Brothers”

Pet's Alive Founder Sara Whalen died at age of 64 on March 19, 2007. Sara Whalen broke her back trying to move a pony she rescued and brought to her 70 acre Wallkill Sanctuary. Doctors using a rod to stabilize her back discovered a tumor. The cancer had started in her lungs and had spread. For 35 years, Whalen took in throwaways, dogs cats, horses, potbellied pigs it didn't matter. Sara saved over 7,000 dogs. As a teenager she once tackled a state trooper who had shot a black labrador that had been hit by a car. She is survived by 2 sons, Adam and Timothy. Also survived by a brother Bill Seiden who also has a sanctuary in Avon, CT. Pet's Alive is now being run by a team from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from Utah (see details and volunteer opportunities). Thank you Sara for your compassion for animals and for being a voice for those helpless creatures. We will miss you.

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