May 21, 2015 eblast:
They say bad things happen in threes. We bid farewell to Haven
and Lulabelle earlier this month. We've now received word back from Russell's family that he lost his dispute with prostate
cancer on Tuesday evening. I say "dispute" because Russ was a lover not a fighter. He loved life and all its imperfections.
No matter what challenge blocked his path, he found a way to wag around it. Taylor Swift tells us to shake it off. Russ told
us to wag it off.
We chose Russell to be our Mr. April for our
Home Page. Here's what we wrote…
If
ever there was a rags to riches story, Russell is it. Rescued by the folks at the Napanee SPCA back in 2010, Russ had been
a victim of cruel neglect. Suffering from sores and fur loss over his entire little beagle frame, he needed a special place
to make him whole once again. We were only too happy to embrace him! Thanks to his foster parents turned perma parents, John
& Laura, Russell has never looked back. He has a beautiful life because he's loved beyond measure. Sadly, Russ was recently
diagnosed with prostate cancer. We can't help feeling sad, but we must remember and learn from the dogs we love so much. They
live in the NOW and right now, Russ is happy. Here's to NOW, Russell, and all the love it has to offer you!!!
Rest assured, Russ was happy. Here's to you, Russ. And here's to life and the fine art
of wagging your way through it all.
This year
at our 2nd Annual BEAGLE WIGGLE WALKATHON, Matthew and I will be walking in memory of Haven, Lulabelle, Russell,
and heck - every beagle that has left a permanent impression on our hearts. There have been many.
But like I wrote before, we'll also be walking in anticipation of the next deserving beagle in search of
a wag-worthy life. In fact, we've got at least one still waiting in the wings. We still need to find a foster home for Shasta.
And we've just been contacted about a little girl who has won the hearts of her rescuers at the OSPCA. Stay tuned for
that story as it unfolds…
So many beagles yet to be loved…