Chips
Chips ID # 2613: In 2010, we found ourselves visiting MARS daily “just looking”. Our “just looking” quickly turned into excitement as we found ourselves drawn to one special little girl … a Shepherd/Sheltie mix named Chips. We completed and submitted the application, went camping … not expecting to hear anything right away. While driving home from camping, we received a call from Heather Hamann, Chips’ AWESOME foster mom. Heather was going away for a week and wondered if we wanted to test things out with Chips and our resident dog, Bear, for the week she would be out of town. We said yes! That’s the day our lives changed forever. Heather pulled her car up to our house and out jumped this precious little girl and we instantly fell in love. For the next two years, Chipsie quickly worked her way deep into our hearts and the hearts of everyone who met her. She enjoyed camping, hiking, walking the lakes, lounging on the couch, sleeping on our heads during scary thunderstorms, and lounging in the backyard curled up like a cinnamon roll. While we enjoyed so many wonderful times together … we are so very heartbroken feeling there should have been so many more camping trips, walks in the park, naps on the lawn, etc. Chips crossed the Rainbow Bridge Monday morning, September 10, 2012 after a brief, but progressive illness. That’s the day our lives changed forever. We don’t cry for Chips. We know she’s comfortable, trotting and smiling … and, not in any kind of pain. We cry because we can’t get our heads around ‘life without our little girl’. A friend shared the following quote, “Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened.”--Dr. Seuss I know we’ll get there. We will smile, but for now … sadness fills our hearts.

Fudge
We don’t know when Fudge crossed the Rainbow bridge but we know it wasn’t peaceful and we know it wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. Fudge was a high energy, loving, and ever so playful companion. He was magical in the way he could get any dog, mean or friendly, to play with him. Adopted in May 2010 at a year and four months of age, I was so happy to bring home a friend that needed a safe, loving home. I knew this was a special bond from the moment he jumped in the car. For eight great months we trained, played and fetched like none other. He ran so fast and played so hard that he even got an ornery old dominate golden retriever to play nice, and an aging beagle to play like a puppy. A true testament to his disposition and energy! On January 9th, 2011 while on his tie out for just a few moments to do his doggie business, he charged at a deer walking through the yard and snapped the tie out. Off he chased the deer and he was never seen again. On April 5th, 2011 Fudge’s body was recovered by MN DOT just a few miles from where he was lost. Torn up and shot, still with his tags and collar on him. Some cruel person killed him and left him on the side of a freeway! Who would do such an awful thing to my best friend?!? My heart is broken but at least I now know you are running free and still loved in my heart always! -Matt

Eddie
Our best friend and fur baby Eddie passed away on February 8, 2011. You were a senior when you adopted us but you were still our baby to spoil. You were the star of our house and watched over all 10 the kids and the grandkids. We will never forget the sound of your tail pounding on the floor when we would say wag your tail. Or your verbal way of greeting us after a long day at work. I miss hearing you and I wish I could hear it one more time. Your paw print is forever in our hearts. You left many paw prints in your live and you will live on in our hearts as we make our journey in life. We will see you again some day but until then chase your rabbits, run free and enjoy all the rivers and lakes in heaven...Not only did we rescue you but you rescued us in so many ways...We love you Eddie...Love always, your family

Gabrielle
Our Angel Grandma Gabby - Here I adopted a rescue dog thinking it would be a neat charity for my kids who have had their struggles in life. My kids, who themselves are waiting to be adopted. Kids who have been through unspeakable acts of neglect and thanks to Gabby have overcome adversity and struggles that many people said could never happen. When I brought Gabby home, little did I know, this dark eyed lady was going to teach us so much in such a short time. Compassion was Gabby’s ultimate lesson to the children. For one little boy who lived in unimaginable filth, experienced unconscionable neglect, abuse, lack of food and love, Gabby’s lesson was most powerful. She assisted him in making sure her bed was straightened out every afternoon. This boy, who grew up not being fed every day himself, made sure grandma Gabby had her food and water every morning and a pat on her head before he left for school. This little boy had almost no animal privileges for two years before Gabby and was only allowed to be around animals under the highest supervision. However, since the gentle browned eyed girl we so affectionately called Grandma Gabby moved in, he has not lost any privileges. He has also learned to accept touch from people. Gabby you will be so missed but your compassion will live on through this boy who looked at the world as though everything was cruel and he was never to feel or to trust. What an amazing thing you have taught this diverse family of awaiting children. Grandma Gabby, your legacy of compassion will live on through these kids. I thank you, we all thank you.

Tia
Tia crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the loving arms of her second MARS foster mom on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Tia was a dignified and beautiful mature German Shepherd dog who had been with her mom for only a few weeks when she became ill. A couple of trips to the vet and then the sad diagnosis. Tia had cancer and would not live much longer. In the short time she was in her second foster home, Tia showed herself to be a well-behaved, smart, sweet, and friendly girl who enjoyed attention. She was an instant hit with residents at the apartment community, even the management .Those who met her were impressed with her intelligence, good behavior, beauty and gentleness. She was a wonderful ambassador for her breed, changing some of the negative assumptions of GSD’s. She was especially loved by a young blind woman, also named Tia. The last weeks she was with us, a good covering of snow fell and we saw her playful side. She loved to lay in it and roll around, burrowing her head and nose in the snow. Her last days were comfortable on medication. She was active enough to accept a lot of love from her new mom and friends. Tia had lived with and been loved by another foster mom for about four months. Both moms will miss her for a very long time. Though it was painful to lose her, both are happy to have known such a truly special lady. Both are grateful that MARS provided this sweet, good girl with real love and happiness in the last months of her life.