Booth Ranch

On Wednesday, April 23, 2008, we had a terrible, horrific, tragidy here.  RaeAnne went to her usual Wednesday night church, I came home and began doing chores, without coming into the house after taking RaeAnne to church.  I figured I would just feed/water horses really quick and get in the house to do housework, so I didn't bother going into the house and letting dogs out. Well, chores took a lot longer this time due to more horses needed some doctoring.  I went in the house at approx. 8:15 pm, thinking I had just a little bit of time to sit and relax before getting RaeAnne.  I went to the kitchen sink to wash my hands when I noticed something was different.  The little dogs weren't barking when I came in, there was an eerie feeling in the air.  I looked around and saw Princess laying on the kitchen floor, in front of the fridge.  I rushed to her and picked her up, she was dead.  Her little white neck was saturated in blood.  I picked her little body up, tried to warm her up, but she was gone.  Until this point, none of the other dogs came around except Sophie, RaeAnne's golden retirever/mix we got her before Christmas.  She came up to me sniffing Princess.  At that point, Princess's head fell backwards and that's when I saw the teeth holes in her neck.  There was also one on top of her head.  That's when I knew Sophie had bitten her in the neck and killed her.  There was blood all over. I screamed at Sophie, told her what a bad, bad dog she was, I spanked her and put her outside, then held Princess.  Never did we ever think anything like that would happen.  Sophie had always been so sweet, why would she have done such an awful thing?

Well, in our discussions, we figured Sophie was very jealous of Princess, so Sophie was solving the problem.  She had always been extremely smart, smartest dog we have had, I think.  I guess we'll never know why.

Princess was RaeAnne's dog.  She was born in our house and grew up with us.  She always slept with RaeAnne, often taking over RaeAnne's pillow to sleep on, or would just lay on RaeAnne's neck and sleep there.  Princess was not only RaeAnne's best friend and companion, but her whole life.  We were able to spend 12 wonderful years with this big eyed sweetie that just loved attention and was always so trusting.  When someone would pick her up, she would just fall backwards, expecting you to catch her so you can rub her stomach and she would just fall to sleep.  She had been a part of our lives for so long it just doesn't seem the same here.

Princess, rest in peace, keep your mom - Pebbles - and your brother - Leo- company.  You loved Grandma so much, keep her company too.  Someday we'll see you again and can cuddle with you the way you always loved to be cuddled.  You'll always be in our hearts and thoughts.  You'll never be replaced.  RaeAnne misses you greatly and hopefully, someday, the great emptiness in her heart will become smaller and much more bearable.  God Bless you Princess.   

Unfortunately, we had to say good-bye to two of our long time companions - Pebbles and Leo

Pebbles would have been 16 yrs. old in June.  She was bought for Ken, but became Patty's baby.  She has traveled all over the country with us, from Florida to Arizona.  It was funny how she always knew when we were sneaking her into a hotel room.  We would wrap her up in one of the kid's blankets, and she would sit perfectly still, completely covered until let down in the room.  She woud never bark inside those hotel rooms, even if she had to go potty.  She would just sit infront of Patty and whine to her, we'd take her out for a walk, she'd do her business and right back inside. 

Well, Pebbles, we know you're with grandma now, the only person you enjoyed being w/besides Patty.  It's a comfort knowing you're no longer in pain any more.  Your bed is empty mornings now and our bed is empty nights, you will always be in our hearts.  We miss you terrible.  Our whole world is changed now that you're gone, may you always rest in peace.

Leo, "daddy's little boy", survived against all odds for so long.  When he was only a few days old, he was in a situation that changed his life.  We had 2 litters of pups that year.  We went away for the day and came back late at night and left the kids & dogs home w/a nephew babysitting.  Apparently the two girls (who were very little then) put the pups all together and the mom dogs fought.  Well, in the fight, Leo was bitten in the head.  The whole top of his head was crushed.  When we came home & heard him crying, we knew something was drastically wrong.  The rest of the night Patty held him tight in the palm of her hands to keep him warm.  Apparently the pressure helped him feel better too.  The next day we went to the vet's office and old doc said it's no use, he'll be dead by the end of the day.  We asked what to feed him, just in case.  He couldn't nurse, his mouth wouldn't work right to suck.  So, every hour we put a couple of drops of baby formula into his mouth.  We went on from there. Well, he had just turned 11 yrs. old.  Unfortunately, due to the trauma, he started having seizures at 2 yrs. of age.  He was put on medication. This past year, he had increasingly gotten worse.  He was on pills everyday and this winter he still continued to have seizures lasting anywheres from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.  We decided it was time and he shouldn't go alone, so we put him with his mom - Pebbles.  He was a fighter, right till the end.  He proved many people wrong, he lived a good life and was Kenny's buddy.

Leo, "dad" misses you the most, but we're happy you can now go w/o those terrible seizures.  There's no one there to bark at dad, telling him to hurry up and make the toast.  There's no one there to sass at dad.  You had your own personality and dad loved very much.  Our beds are empty, but you'll always be in our hearts and greatly missed.  Play w/your mom and keep watch over grandma.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

– Author Unknown