In Memorium
Millie was born on a full moon the day after the closest approach of the Hale-Bopp Comet. Her mother's name was Rush Hill's Journey to Stardom--Haley. We figured it was an omen. At 8 weeks old, she was handed to us with, "Here, I think you can handle her." She was a challenge with her obsession for tennis balls. Occasionally, we had to unscrew and show her the yellow bug light on the patio to stop her from staring at what she was convinced was a tennis ball. She found tennis balls on nearly every walk we ever took. She once veered off the desert trail and dug up a buried golf ball. Apparently, she could 'smell' round. If search and rescue was ever required for a ball, Millie was the go-to golden. She was Miss March on a golden retriever calendar in 2001 and is pictured on page 7 in a book entitled, Golden Retrievers, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual by Barrons. She earned a Companion Dog title in AKC obedience. She was awesome at weave poles, dog walks, A-frames and tunnels, but a back injury from flying off a deck after a squirrel limited her jumping ability. She also jumped ou the back window of the truck because of a squirrel. Thankfully, we were only going 25 mph. She was a character. It was wonderful to have her as a pet partner the last year she was with us. She soaked up the attention and melted people's hearts when she leaned into them for pets. Millie loved life, and we loved her. She was our Millie Moon Bopp.
Gracie Barker passed away on October 1st, 2009 at the age of 14 1/2 years. Gracie was adopted from Greenhill Humane Society at the age of six months and went to work the next day for her owner's company. She enjoyed greeting visitors from around the world and helped employees manage their stress. At two years old she became the main character in a series of books, Gracie's Great Adventures. She fostered a love of reading through her books and encouraged kids to practice safety through her video "Be Cool, Play it Safe". She visited countless classrooms, daycares, preschools, the Safe Center, the Child Center, Scar Jasper Mountain, and other facilities for abused, neglected, and special needs children. She was the first dog to visit Shriners Hospital in Portland as a therapy dog. In 2008 she was inducted into the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame for her extensive volunteer contributions. Gracie was happiest when surrounded by a group of children petting her. We are grateful to everyone who welcomed Gracie into their classrooms and facilities. She loved every minute of it.<br type="_moz" />
Ken Neubeck and Tanner were active as PAAWS Pet Partners from March 2007 to June 2009. Tanner was a gentle and regal-looking Golden Retriever. He had a great family life and lived to be more than twelve years of age. Ken and his wife Mary Alice adopted Tanner while living in Conneticut and brought him to their retirement home in Eugene in 2003. Tanner absolutely loved children and, after Ken and Tanner became Pet Partners, Ken registered him to be a PAAWS Reading Education Assistance Dog. Tanner became a great hit with the well over forty children he helped learn to read at the River Road Elementary School. He also was in great demand as a R.E.A.D dog at the Eugene Public Library and became a popular playmate for at-risk and homeless pre-schoolers at First Place Family Center. Tanner brought comfort, laughter, and unconditional love to so many little folks, and daily joy to Ken, Mary Alice, and Chuck (their much younger adopted Golden). Thank you for everything, big guy! You are very much missed!
Brea was a wonderful and faithful companion to our family for 12 years. She went almost everywhere with us. Her favorite activities were swimming in any type of water, and walking our children to school. Many a child learned to love dogs as a result of her gentleness and patience. She served as a therapy dog for two years, one at the Lookingglass Treatment Center on River Road and one at River Parks Assisted Living Center. It was a pleasure and an honor to accompany her to those places and watch her bond with so many people. She will be sorely missed.
Casey was an energetic 12 year old Border Collie who lived with his Pet Partner, Amy, Amy's husband, and a Shepherd-mix brother Trey. Casey was neglected by his previous owners so he was excited to meet Amy in 1999 at the Florence Humane Society. It was love at first sight and Casey thrived and matured under Amy's care. Being a Border Collie, Casey needed a job and being a Pet Partner gave him important work to do. During the school year Amy and Casey would go to the counselor's office at Malabon Elementary School and meet with troubled kids. They also visited a variety of areas at Sacred Heart Medical Center including the Behavioral Health Unit, Pediatrics, Neurology, Oncology, and Surgery Waiting. Cindy Ehlers, Delta Trainer, described Casey as a kind and gentle soul. He will be missed.
Memories of Molly . . . A little old lady with a big heart . . . Approachable, affectionate, available to any who wanted to caress her lush fur . . . A PAAWS pet partner late in life, Molly could be found reading with little ones at the library or cuddling on a patient’s bed . . . Her only reward, to be near. Molly lived in the Coburg Hills with Jeannine and Frank, their other dog Emma the Maremma, and a flock of goats. She was rescued at age 9 and never did tell us tales of her former life! Surely she was loved. Surely she still is. Her full days, like lengthening shadows, she let go her fragile hold. Her work now is done. Molly Bertrand 1994 - 2008
Our big hearted Zorr dog crossed over the Great Divide during the summer of 2006. Although he showed signs of aging, his passing was still unexpected. As recently as the day before he died, six kids read to him at Morse Ranch Summer Camp. He and the kids enjoyed those soft, quiet reading times that he was so good at providing. There’s a special beauty to watch old dogs and children interact. I felt privileged as his handler.
We miss his sensitive, sweet way of loving humans and animals alike.
Yet his “old†spirit lives on in our lives and the many kids whose lives he touched. It is his spirit that helped us to adopt another two labs, one of whom continues the work of his predecessor – Zorr (1994-2006).