Year
2017 Tributes
(Click HERE for Tributes
posted in other years)
For pet names beginning with "A".
Abby Dabby,
10/6/2017 
My baby "Abby Dabby" you were my world. You
were there for me through many hard times. I wish I could
have made you well and it broke my heart to watch you suffer and
deteriorate. It is with love that I needed to let you go
and be free of pain. I love you always.
Ashley Fedus,
3/18/98 - 7/10/17
Every night I looked forward to you crawling onto my chest.
Burrowing your head under my chin like the infant I wasn’t
destined to have. The last nine years have been harsh, and some
days it was tough to count my blessings. But then all I needed was
to look at you - those beautiful eyes, that tiny face, the
sweetness that poured from your mouth and I thanked the Lord. I
thanked Joe McAuley for bringing you to me May 27, 1998. And,
remember vividly the day I brought you home. Within one hour of
settling yourself in to your new surroundings you disappeared!
Later to be found behind the books on the top shelf no less.
Unlike Smokey, you weren’t curious about the outside world. Never
wandering past the front door unless I was with you. Until the day
I thought I had lost you. Nighttime fell and as I tearfully looked
out my second story window I saw your amber eyes glowing in the
dark as you navigated across rooftops. Your dexterity never ceased
to amaze me. I was equally amazed, but freaked, when you proudly
presented me with a hummingbird dangling out of your mouth! Like
Philippe Petit, you mastered the walk across the curtain rods –
while Smokey was secretly jealous. I almost renamed you Godzilla
the day I brought Smokey home. You stood up on your 10 weeks old
tiny hind legs and with front paws and claws outstretched, hissed
and snarled. Smokey didn’t care, he stood his ground and
maintained that look that said to everyone who met him, you’re
going to fall in love with me – I guarantee it! And, you did. You
were such a great travel buddy, never a peep or complaint.
Everyone awed whenever I pulled you out of your travel bag. If you
were sugar, the markets couldn’t restock quickly enough. And, the
best little spooner I ever slept with. Your will to live, fighting
back against the fleas who vigorously tried to end your life was
miraculous. And the last four years tolerating vet visits, the
poking and prodding, stoically battling kidney disease while
recently turning a positive corner assured me that you’d go to any
length to stick around. I believed you’d make it to at least 20.
To lose you to something completely unexpected was devastating.
You’re gone but I see you everywhere and can still feel you
crawling onto my chest burrowing your little head under my chin.
Give Smokey & Lambchop a little snuggle from me. I’ll see you
in Heaven my fur-babies.
Audrey Vaught, 12/08/03 - 01/09/17
At age 5 Audrey was diagnosed with immune mediated
thrombocytopenia (ITP) but after a 8 days in the
hospital and several blood transfusions finally got to bring
her home. At age 10 the platelet disorder returned after
having dental work done and spent 2 1/2 weeks at blue pearl
animal hospital in Louisville Kentucky. We never gave
up and I finally got to bring my baby girl back home once
again. She's a fighter after surviving two episodes
especially at age 10. Three years passed and for the most part she
was doing very well until on December 30, 2016 she was
diagnosed with chronic renal failure. Started the subcutaneous IV
fluid treatments at the hospital and her labs did improve so I
thought that I might get some more time with my baby girl.
However, after bringing her home for a few days she began to
develop edema in her abdomen and begin to show very little
interest in food. On Monday morning as I got her ready to
take her back to the animal hospital I took a picture of her
wrapped in a new blanket that her aunt Sandy gave her.
I cried as I knew that I probably would not be bringing her back
home as I could tell she was getting weaker everyday. We
arrived at the hospital and after more labs and another ultrasound
things had gotten worse. It was obvious that we had no more
options and no more hope and I just couldn't take her home when
she wasn't eating and so lethargic. So at 6:15 PM on January 9th,
2017 she passed peacefully in my arms as I whispered into her ear
her favorite thing " Audrey go bye bye" and "Audrey go for a
ride." It was only a few short moments that I could
feel her body become lifeless as I held her and cried. After
13 years and one month we took our last ride together.
RIP Audrey, daddy ❤'s you! My life will never be the same.
