October 31, 1957 to January 2, 2007

When The Shift Ends
(A poem written by a Pet Refuge volunteer in Memory of Kim)

We are quiet now.
Fresh water, full bellies
Soft clean blankets,
An extra treat.

We know you...
Your smell, your voice,
Your gentle touch.

We watch you struggle
The mop bucket out,
Lock the doors,
Give us one last check,
Touch and coo...

We remember,
And we will know you anywhere.

Mom's Foster Dogs

Mom first started volunteering at Pet Refuge in the Summer of 2002.

She started fostering dogs that fall. These are the dogs she fostered.

Mom walking Brewster, Summer 2006 Brewster at the dog wash, July 2006 Brewster, Christmas 2005	Brewster Her first foster dog was Brewster. Started fostering Brewster on 10-26-02. She adopted Brewster three weeks later. We've always said it was a good thing my mom took him because we could just see someone giving up on him and tying him to a tree. He was adopted once when he was younger, and returned to us as an adult in pretty bad shape, it was clear that he had been very much neglected and left outside, and my mom vowed that would never happen to him again. Brewster was known for being an escape artist and there was little to nothing that could keep him in a yard. He was able to climb the six foot chain link fence at Pet Refuge even with the barbed wire on top. My mom had a privacy fence installed (which wasn't cheap for the size of her yard) and layed cinder blocks on the inside to keep him from digging out. He never got out of the privacy fence but did manage to escape a few times, out the front door or when someone accidentally opened the garage door, and mom would spend hours or days tromping through the woods looking for him--though we'd usually find him waiting at our house, covered in burrs and mud. He just had a big need to explore, so daily walks were part of Kim's routine. If mom didn't walk him for a couple of days he'd get very antsy and grumpy and give mom dirty looks. Brewster was definetely a mama's boy. When mom died she was laying on the floor next to Brewster, exactly how she would have wanted to go. Brewster's original description: "If your teddy bear has become too small for you, Brewster is your man! He is an Akita mix of three to four years. He is housebroken, has been neutered, and does well with children and dogs. Brewster has a very loving personality. He came to us because his owner could no longer take care of him. This was rather visible since the poor dog's ears were covered with fly bites. Brewster's ears are recovered and he gained about "15" much needed pounds. We hate to boast about one particular dog, but Brewster is an all around great dog. He gets along with most other dogs, very loving with people. He loves to play. His favorite game is playing "keep away" from the volunteers as they try to get him from outside back into his kennel (which can you blame him)! He knows commands such as sit, stay, speak and lay down. Brewster can climb chain-link fences, so would do best with a privacy fence, with monitoring, or with daily walks." After deciding to keep Brewster she decided to foster some puppies that came in.
	Winston & Shakespear She started fostered Winston and Shakespear on New Years Day of 2003. They were beagle mix puppies. She called them "Piddles" and "Puddles" because they weren't housebroken and had accidents throughout the house. Winston was adopted after only a week on January 8, 2003. Shakespear was adopted at the very next adoption event on January 11th, 2003.
Foxy, January 2003 Foxy, Halloween 2003.	Foxy Foxy was a 9 month old boxer mix that mom started fostering on January 11th, 2003. She was very attached to Foxy and considered keeping her. Foxy was adopted on March 1st, 2003 by a nice couple in Detroit. We drove down to Detroit for a home visit, and Foxy's new parents sent lots of pictures and letters updating us on her progress. Foxy's original description: "Alert and one very foxy little lady! Foxy is a Boxer/Husky mix with an extraordinary coat. She's only nine months and weighs in at about 40 lbs. having quite an appetite which will help to fill her out with a girlish figure. Sometimes a little timid, she is extremely loving and wants very much for human companionship and caring. Her foster mom is teaching herhousetraining and says she is a quiet girl in her crate. Her friendliness includes not only humans, but dogs and cats, too. Someone is going to be very lucky for the love of Foxy. Will it be you???" Foxy shortly after getting adopted.
Quinn, March 2003 Quinn camping, Summer 2006	Quinn Mom started fostering Quinn on March 14th, 2003. Mom writes, "He was unsocialized and very scared. Within a couple days he was all happy loving puppy. At 6 months he's totally house broke, doesn't chew, a great dog. My little tank." She finally decided to adopt Quinn on July 21st, 2003. Quinn still remains leary of strangers and new people, but is a joy to those people he knows. My mom gave him the confidence he needed to trust people. In early 2005 Quinn fell out of a moving vehicle and broke the joints in both his back legs. The first vet we went to said there was very little that could be done for him and recommended euthanasia or an extremely expensive surgery and gave little hope for recovery. She went for a second opinion to Dr Vogl in University park and he was able to recommend an alternative surgery and gave my mom hope that he could survive. He did, and is doing well to this day. After getting so attached to Foxy and then Quinn she decided to go back to fostering puppies. Puppies are cute, but they're easier to give up.
All three puppies, May 2003 Harley, July 2003	JJ, Molly, and Harley Mom took in three lab/rott mix puppies on May 21st, 2003. JJ was adopted by a friend of our family. Harley was the last to get adopted, on July 26, 2003. In my mother's notes she writes simply "fell in love with Harley." Harley's website description: "Another cutie pup, Harley is now four months old. He's a Lab/Rott mix so he'll be at least a medium sized guy when fully grown. Harley's been finding his voice lately and loves to use it! If you're looking for a bit more boisterous fella he'll fit right in (a good watch dog!). Very sweet and loving, he's adventurous and also loves to play in a kiddie pool with his big foster doggy brother. Harley is going to make a wonderful companion, probably one of those dogs who loves to go everywhere with you. When at home though, he'll need a fenced yard. Harley is learning "sit" and more, and is doing very good with his house training." Harley's adoptive parents sent in a picture in 2005 to let us know he's grown up to be a nice dog.
	Little Knight, Socks and Precious A litter of Lab/Border Collie puppies came in and my mom fostered three of them starting October 29th, 2003. The boys were named Socks and Little Knight, and the girl was named Precious. Little Knight actually shared the same name as Kim's dad. Little Knight's website description: "A Labrador/Border Collie mix, Little Knight is ten weeks old. He's a friendly pup who gets along fine with children, cats, and dogs. He was a little scared when he first set foot in our shelter, and which puppy wouldn't be surrounded by so many grown up dogs? He's in a foster home now and his foster mom tells us: "Little Knight will make someone a very good pet." Precious was adopted as a puppy but returned as an adult. Upon her return we learned she had demodex mange. She is now in a permanent foster home with one of my mom's good friends, Kelly W, and is doing well. You can see Precious as an adult, here, or on Pet Refuge's "Special Dogs" page under her new name Madison.
November 2003 February 2004	Penelope Mom started fostering Penelope on November 19th, 2003. She was adopted to a family in Goshen in December. We all thought she would stay a little puppy, but she grew to be much larger (nearly 60 pounds now) and her adoptive family still loves her very much. Her new name is Molly. Penelope's original description: "A Collie mix, Penelope turns ten weeks on December 3. By then, we'll have had her in our care for long enough to make her available for adoption. She is working on her housebreaking manners...good girl...and gets along well with older children and other dogs."
Polly & Quinn P.J.	PJ and Polly Mom started fostering PJ and Polly on December 6, 2003. PJ stood for "Perry Junior". The "Perry" that he was named after is a big long-haired rottweiler mix who has been with Pet Refuge since 2002 and was one of my mom's favorite dogs. Her son Kelly is fostering Perry. PJ was a fluffy little pup who shared the same markings and frisky playful attitude as the older Perry. PJ & Polly's website description: "Such well-behaved pups! PJ and Polly are Rottweiler/Shepherd/Cocker mixes of eight weeks. In other words, we really don't know how big they'll get! They become available for pick-up on Sunday, December 14th."
	Pru, Piper, and Phoebe Mom loved the TV show Charmed, and these little shepherd mix puppies got the luck of being named after the main characters. She started fostering them on December 30th, 2003. Pru was adopted by a lady in Niles, and then Piper & Phoebe were adopted together on January 30th, 2004. Their original description: "We have 8 (7 girls and 1 boy) of these adorable shepherd/husky mix puppies. They are 8 weeks old. All of the puppies have the same markings as the two in the picture but all have their own sweet little personalities." Quinn playing with the puppies
	Samson Samson was a very special guy that my mom started fostering on March 17th, 2004. He was very fearful and only came out of his shell with my mother's care. She fostered him for four months and was becoming very attached to him but unable to keep him. My mom and I had a long talk about him and she decided to let me foster him, so I took over his foster care on July 1st. Samson was adopted finally on February 19th, 2005. He was adopted to a nice family in Goshen, who says he's doing very well. Samson's initial description: "Samson is a 4 1/2 month old, Doberman mix. He is original Owner is serving our Country, thus could no longer keep him. Samson is almost housebroken and is learning very well at being crate trained. He is good with other dogs and would be better with older children. He is a very active and happy puppy who is starting to learn some basic commands beginning with 'sit'." Samson's updated description: "Samson is 11 months old, full grown weighing 45 pounds, and is a Foxhound/Doberman mix . He is very active and loves to run thus requiring a fenced yard for him. He would do best in a home with another canine friend to romp and play with. He is housebroken, crate-trained and doing great on his obedience training. He knows "sit", "stay", "shake", "lay down" and "roll over". He is in the process of learning to "heel" and walk properly on a leash. Samson is timid with new people but warms up quickly. His foster Dad finds him to be so sweet and says his whole body will shake with excitement when company comes over that he knows. He would do best in a home with older children and does well with dog-friendly felines!"
Natalie and Noire playing with Doc (center) Noire at Halloween	Natalie and Noire My mom started fostering Natalie and Noire on September 23rd, 2004. Natalie was adopted on December 2nd and Noire on December 6th. Natalie was returned once but adopted by someone else in January. Their website description: "Natalie and Noire are some of the best-natured pups we have ever seen! Both are Black Lab mixes of 16 weeks old and are very loving pups! Noire is the adventurous one while Natalie tends to be a bit more shy. Both are working on their housebreaking skills and doing pretty good! With these playful pups a fenced yard is a must!" After Natalie and Noire were adopted Quinn got into a serious accident which required knee replacement surgery. Quinn was restricted to leash walking and no-activity, so my mom had to take a break from fostering for over 6 months until he was healed completely.
Chloe with grandson Hayden	Chloe Mom resumed fostering when a young Shepherd mix named Chloe came in. She started fostering her on August 28th, 2005. My mom wrote a note about her in her scrapbook that said "She's very, very sweet and getting too attached to me sooo quick. She's become Hayden and Morgan's buddy! She's afraid of men, but who isn't?" Chloe was adopted on October 26th, 2005. Hayden was very attached to her and asked many times what happened to Chloe after she was adopted. Chloe's website description: "Chloe is a 3 1/2 year old Border Collie/Shepherd mix who has tons of love to share. This happy girl would do best in a home with no dogs or a very playful dog as she wants to play all of the time! Chloe does well with kids of all ages though she can be grabby at supper time with the toddler in her foster home, so older children may be best. A fenced yard is preferred but will consider someone who enjoys going for walks with her. If you're looking for a dog to share lots of kisses with, Chloe is the girl for you!" Chloe playing with Oscar
Sasha helping carve Pumpkins	Sasha Sasha was another Shepherd mix who my mother started fostering on October 22, 2005. Hayden (mom's 3yo grandson) called her "Baby Chloe" because Sasha looked like a smaller Chloe who he missed. Sasha was adopted on January 11th, 2006. Sasha's website description: "'My family moved and left me behind but my happy personality will not allow me to be sad and I know a family will be in soon to adopt me! I am a Shepherd/Husky mix of about 10-12 weeks old and should be a medium to a larger size dog when full grown.'" Sasha and Quinn, Christmas 2005
Dora in the baby chair Diego, April 2006	Dora & Diego Mom started fostering Dora and Diego on January 28th, 2006. They were named after one of Hayden's favorite cartoons "Dora the Explorer". Dora and Diego had come in at just 2 or 3 weeks of age and were bottle-fed by one of my mom's friends, Pat, for several weeks until they were ready to be weaned at which point Pat convinced my mom to take two of them and promised her that they would remain little (although at 6 weeks of age they were already weighing 10 pounds!). After only a couple months they were already too big to carry. Diego was adopted on April 26th, 2006 and Dora was adopted on June 30th, 2006. Diego's website description: "Diego is a male of the group and has the pretty blond coloring. A home with children 5+ years of age and a fenced yard is preferred." Dora's original website description: "Dora has such a sweet puppy face! A female of the group, she is 8 weeks old. A home with children 5+ years of age and a fenced yard is preferred." Mom holding them both as puppies
	Bug Bug was adopted out from Pet Refuge as a puppy and returned when she was 6 months old. Her original foster mom was a good friend of my mom's, Molly, who asked my mom to take her when she was returned because she trusted my mom to take good care of her. My mom started fostering her upon her return on July 7th, 2006. Bug's mother, Lexus, was also a Pet Refuge dog. Bug was adopted on August 12th, 2006. Her new parents bring her to Camp K9 Doggy Day Care where Kim's daughter Kristy works and says that Bug is doing great. Bug's original description: "Bug returns to us due to personal family reasons but we know her wait for a new home will not be too long. She is a 6 month old, Shepherd/Lab/Rottweiler mix (her mom was a Rottweiler/Lab). She is super-friendly, housebroken and good around other dogs. Lots of fun and energy here, so maybe children that are a little older would be best. A fenced yard is a plus."
Molly Marie's website photo. Molly with my mom at Mutt March 2006	Molly Marie My mom started fostering Molly Marie on September 10th, 2006. Mom still had Molly Marie in her care when she died on January 2nd, 2007. Molly is a purebreed Collie who has recieved lots of interest. Calls and emails come in from across the country with people interested in, mainly because she a purebreed and is a pretty dog. But Molly has her own personality quirks and dominant streak that tend to put people off from considering adopting her. People have silly notions that purebreed dogs are better than mixed breeds, although Molly is a sweet dog she showed people that even the purebreeds have their problems. Kristy takes Molly Marie with her to work at Camp K9 doggie day care whenever she works there and Molly has a blast playing with all the other dogs. Before my mom died she talked to someone on the phone who was interested in adopting Molly Marie and said they sounded promising. We interviewed them and felt they would be a good fit for Molly, and on January 20th, 2007 Molly Marie was adopted. An update was sent two months later and she is doing great! Molly's original website description: "Mollie-Marie Just turned one on Thanksgiving day, she was happy to be in a foster home where she could enjoy a long walk and some turkey! Mollie is a fun loving, high energy dog who LOVES to play with other dogs, so a home with a playmate would be best. Mollie has lots of personality. She does not do well with children of any age (maybe something in her past led to this, I don't know). Molly spent her first day today at a doggie day care where she did WONDERFUL, yeah Molly!" The very last picture my mother ever took, found on her camera undeveloped. Her daughter Kristy with Molly and granddaughter Haylie, Christmas Day 2006.

Our mom's passion was helping dogs. From the 26 dogs she directly fostered and found homes for, to the countless hundreds that she helped at the shelter and on the streets, dogs were her life and her love.

http://www.petrefuge.com/
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/

Memorial Tribute Video

This is a picture montage video that was played at mom's funeral. It's 34mb in size so it might take a while to fully load and requires a high-speed connections. The opening song is my mother's favorite song, Rod Stewart's Maggie May. Click here to go to the google video page that hosts the video, where you can view it in a larger format. You can also post condolences or memories on the funeral home's website here.

Pet Refuge was kind enough to put a tribute to Kim on the front page of their website. It has been archived here if you did not get a chance to see it. A copy of the memorial service card is here.

A sincere thanks to everyone who has sent in condolences. Your emails, cards, private messages, and phone calls meant a lot. Thank you to everyone who attended Mom's memorial service. And my mom would thank you especially to all those who donated to Pet Refuge in her memory. Thanks also to all those who helped send in pictures and memories of the dog's my mother touched.

The Rescuer's Bridge