Animal Companion Remembrances

In memory of Maria and Albert’s wonderful cat Teresa.  “Teresa was a stray cat that we took in and she was small, quiet, loyal, friendly, sweet, gentle, delicate, and a little lady.  She had arthritis in her back legs, which sometimes made it difficult for her to jump up on the sofa or bed, but God bless her, she always managed to do so, sometimes with our help. My dad would comb her sometimes and she enjoyed it.  She loved to eat her cat food, especially the gourmet and she also loved Jenny Craig’s beef, green peas, and cheese which I shared with her. I will miss seeing her put her entire body into the cat toy box and put her face right into her toys.  I will miss seeing her sleep on the small bear rug made for cats that I bought for her.  Teresa was warm, cuddly and fragile, all at the same time.”  Remembrance donation by Maria and Albert DiMeglio, April 2019.

In memory of Bear, Lynn Odell’s wonderful dog. “Bear was the most enthusiastic greeter; made you feel like no one else existed at that moment in his world. And his goodbys were just as terrific, from his cat -like perch in the window.  We will miss you Bear.” Remembrance donation by Susan Ferla, January 2019.

Remembering Judy Wolfe’s wonderful friend Jack. “I rescued Jack as a senior dog from Best Friends about two and a half years ago. He brought so much joy to my life. He was friendly with everyone. He loved kids, other dogs, street vendors, my apartment building staff and neighbors. Not a walk went by that someone did not come up to us to chat. Many New Yorkers would yell out ‘WISHBONE’ when they saw us (you might have to google that one). New Yorkers have a soft spot in their hearts for dogs, especially adorable one-eyed dogs. The one flaw he had was his insistence upon rising before daylight. We would traipse out into the dark of night and almost had the city to ourselves. Jack also adored my two cats, Audrey and Roberta and they adored him. The house seems a lot emptier now and it will take awhile for a new normal to emerge. I have already been asked if I am going to get another dog. It is too soon to even contemplate that right now but if I do – I will adopt another senior dog as they need homes, aren’t nearly as cute as puppies but it is the right thing to do. He was a very good boy.” Remembrance donations by Judy Wolfe, Susan Ferla, April Rivkin, Veronica Gallagher, Kathleen Salmieri, Berni Leahy, Peter & Mickey Bickford and Nora Beirne on behalf of all of Judy’s friends in the Animal Department of the Central Park Zoo, December 2018.

Shortly after I retired, I found Patrick in the street and took him home and decided he would be my retirement gift. Patrick was loyal, loving, smart, a talker, curious and an acrobat. Patrick was always in motion and he was very territorial. He dominated the household with the other cats with an iron fist. I miss my buddy who would sleep with me at night and when I snuck back into bed in the morning, he would be there waiting for me to cuddle and snuggle. I miss him flying over our heads as if he were a black panther in the jungle. I will NEVER forget that he was the retirement gift that I gave to myself and he was the BEST gift I ever got!  Remembrance donation by Patrick’s loving family, Maria and Albert DiMeglio, December 2018.

JerseyGirl was an affectionate and very intelligent dog who loved kids. Her favorite thing to do was to run in a field, chasing sticks, but never picking them up. Although she had a rough early life, she lived her adolescence and adult years with a loving family, Ron and Erika Surkin and Shep, a mixed-breed rescue. She is sorely missed, but at peace. Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin and Jacqueline Birnbaum.

In memory of Bellinda, wonderful companion to Lutz and Lomi Novak of Stamsried, Germany.  “Bellinda was born about 12.5 years ago on the Balearic Islands of ‘Ibiza’ in the Mediterranean Sea as a ‘wild’ beach dog.  Within 6 months she was trapped and taken to Andalusia in the port city of Cadiz in a killing camp (concentration camp for dogs) and rescued at the last moment by German animal rights activists. She was brought to the town of Bad Staffelstein to Pro-Animale, a privately operated animal shelter, where she stayed for the next 22 months before she came to us. Although traumatized by her experiences — She did not want to have much contact with people and only very few people received her trust — we are very, very proud that we received her trust soon after she came to us. Every morning she greeted us with joy (she was a hybrid of Italian wind chimes and German short hair). How happy she was when we went for a walk, then she always grabbed some toy or shoe and then climbed the stairs backwards (a trick she taught herself). We very much miss her!” Somebody once said: “A house without animals is like a sky without stars!” Sadly, some of the most beautiful stars do not exist anymore!

In memory of Luna, loving companion to Sue Cardillo.  “Luna was the best little lover dog, always up for snuggles and affection taking good care of my heart when I needed it most. She was so loving to us that it made you forget all the naughty things she would do, she knew how to eat most things that don’t belong in a dog’s tummy and knew how to bark at that most annoying pitch! I miss her beautiful little way, so petite yet such a big presence in my life. The cabin will never be the same without her- always with me in our most happy place- sleeping in the grass, relaxing on the dock, floating around in the canoe, sprinting in circles around the cabin like a crazy puppy, hikes around the lake and in the mountains, and those great naps on my lap in the Adirondack chair. I will forever long for her to still be here but hold these memories close to my heart.”  Remembrance donations by Judy Wolfe, Audrey, Philip and Jeanette Riccobono, and Berni Leahy, September 2018.

In loving memory of Duncan, Trevor and Michael Allen’s companion who crossed the rainbow bridge on August 11, 2018. He was almost 13 years old. He was dealing with heart problems for over a year and at the beginning of the summer he was diagnosed with a kidney tumor and nodules on his spleen. Duncan was the sweetest little guy and was very very loved by Trevor and Michael.  Adopted from Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue in 2008, he changed Trevor and Michael’s lives in the most wonderful way. He is very missed.  Remembrance donation by Judy Wolfe, September 2018.

In memory of Blossom who came to Katherine and Jim Sutton as a sad and lonely rescue Cavalier but who literally “blossomed” the moment she found them, her forever family. “Blossom was a true delight, full of pep and devotion. She battled severe heart disease for a full year so she could extend her three and a half years with us – as well as her buddy Cavalier, Mason – for as long as she could. We are forever grateful to her for that strength and perseverance, which makes it even harder to say goodbye. We absolutely adored her and treasured every moment she gave us.”  Remembrance donation by Jacqueline Birmbaum & Dean Surkin, September 2018.