Im sorry to have to post this letter I recieved this morning but as some of you know Maddie is no longer with us. Rest in peace Maddie, you will always be in our hearts.

The little abused Springer...


Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 10:17 PM
Subject: Maddie Update 04/28


Dear Fellow Maddie Lovers,
Today Maddie gave me a sign. She let me know, without a doubt, that she was
ready to go to the Rainbow Bridge. Deep down I knew she would let me know if
and when she was ready, and many of you reminded me of this fact on a daily
basis. I can only say that if you were there, you would have seen it, too.

I went in to visit her this afternoon after dealing with a broken vehicle in
the morning. The kids in charge of her daily feeding and love-giving looked
really sad. I could see it in their eyes before I went to her cage. She
hadn't eaten a thing all day, and hadn't been drinking, either. They were
heartbroken, because they had really tried to entice her to eat. They said
she appeared not to even have the strength to do it.

I went in her room to see her. She had undergone a definite change since
yesterday afternoon. Her eyes turned to see me, but she did not lift her
head as much as she usually would. I do know that she knew me, and stretched
her nose out ever so slightly when I went to stroke her head and speak to
her. Her breathing was very rapid and shallow. I just knew. I called her
vet and told her that it was time. She had seen her a few hours prior, and
asked me if I was ready. I replied "as ready as I'll ever be".

We got her little bed, cushioned her with a bunch of towels, and covered her
little body with one to keep her warm. We carried her outside into the yard,
where there was sunshine and a little breeze. While we waited for Paige, her
vet, I held Maddie and told her how much everyone loved her and that it was
OK for her to go now. We sat like that for a good while, me talking to her,
stroking her on her little blaze, as always. Her breathing evened out as we
sat together and looked into each other's eyes. I can definitely tell you
she knew it was me holding her. She never took her eyes off mine. Paige
showed up in a little while and very gently put her to sleep as I held her in
my arms and kissed her on the head for myself and for everyone else who loved
her. Paige said Maddie probably wouldn't have made it through the night in
that condition, and there's no way we would have let her go alone like that.
As sad as we were, we knew we did the right thing.

Please check back soon on Maddie's pages for an epilogue. I have been
compiling a list of her benefactors, and wish for everyone to see it. It's
not quite ready yet, but will be in a few days. I can't thank everyone
enough who has supported and encouraged us through this. It's like all of
you were with us every step of the way. It meant so much to both Maddie and
myself. Maddie is at peace now, and in a better place. All of us have a
little Maddie angel watching over us now, waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Kate Kyer
English Springer Rescue America
Rescue/Foster/Adoption Coordinator-DFW, TX www.springerrescue.org
ESRA - Maddie
Show Dog Magazine.com...Maddie