Rainbow Bridge to the Plains of Heaven

The Plains of Heaven painted in 1851-3 by John Martin 1789-1854. Bequeathed by Charlotte Frank in memory of her husband Robert Frank 1974 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T01928

We recently learned that Lucy’s Sugar Dog Barney passed over the Rainbow Bridge.  He was a great dog, with Lucy through thick and thin, loving her and alerting til the end for her Type 2 diabetes.

Lucy & her Sugar Dog Barney

Sweet, sweet Barney

We were saddened to learn of the passing of our dear human friend John B.  John’s Sugar Dog Peek-A-Boo participated with John as a terrific diabetic’s Sugar Dog for many years until John’s passing.  John and his wife Nancy served Sugar Dogs International in many capacities for many years in Florida.  From helping serve food to diabetics at JDRF events, to ice cream socials at Publix, to Sugar Dogs shows at hospitals, medical facilities and dog day events, all the while passing out Sugar Dogs brochures with their gorgeous Peek-A-Boo.  Peek-A-Boo’s one of our Rock Stars and now has her own page with Mom Nancy.

This was a great night at The Palm’s patio in Tampa.  It was set up like a Paris Bistro with a fountain and everything.

We’ll miss you John and will always be thankful for your kindnesses and generosity.

We have lost several wonderful Sugar Dogs to some dreadful circumstances and several beautiful working dogs to old age.

Anya and Johnny Cash will always miss you sweet June Carter.

Sweet Sugar Dog Mozart passed on to the Rainbow Bridge in his sleep.  He was 18 years old and still working for his Mom Pat.

Our dear Francesca in Toronto had to have Sunny, her Golden Retriever, put to sleep due to serious illness.  She was 15 years and 4 months of age.

After a short walk at noon on Wednesday, Sunny came home and plopped down with all 4 legs splayed.  Francesca thought her legs were tired and by morning she’d be able to get up again but her legs had just completely given out.  Her last night was very hard for her and Francesca called the vet the moment he opened at the stroke of 8:00 a.m.   He came to the house and arrived by 9:30.   Daisy, Francesca’s other dog was heart-broken…you never saw such sad eyes!!  After it was all over, Daisy and Francesca were cuddling in the bed and the 2 cats came and jumped in and they had a family grieving session.  It was sad but also quite beautiful and uplifting to see the other members of her pack mourning together.

Francesca helps Sugar Dogs International with daycare when we are in Toronto and need an extra dog lover’s help.  This is her personal story, used by permission:

“Sugar Boy was in love with Sunny.

 Sunny was truly a magnificent and highly evolved being.  She was truly “the world’s most gentle dog”.  She lavished her love on everyone she met, human and other species as well; and every creature (human or other) who met her loved her.  In every neighbourhood we have ever lived, Sunny was always the best known and most popular resident.

Most people assumed that Sunny was seeking attention from everyone she met; but I know differently.  She was actually offering her overflowing, abundant love and compassion to everyone she encountered.   I believe this was her purpose in life and I know that she taught me unconditional love and assisted in my personal spiritual awakening.

I did not name Sunny…she was already named when I got her as a 7-week-old puppy and I could not change her name because at the time she belonged to the Lions Club Guide Dog program and I was just her foster mother until she was disqualified from the program at age 16 months.  But she was truly appropriately named because she was always sunny and always brought a ray of sunshine wherever she went.  Now her spirit is a ray of sunshine that will never fade.”

Peppie was attacked by two (2) Pit Bulls in Pasco County, FL and the young man walking him was bitten as he tried to save the service dog.  Neither the local Sheriff’s Office nor the local Animal Services responded appropriately.  The murdering dogs were not apprehended and the young man had to suffer Rabies injections in his stomach.  Sugar Dogs International came to Mark’s aid and provided documentation for the very successful court case that followed the service dog’s untimely death.

June died at the emergency veterinarian’s office in Louisville, KY from possible veterinary malpractice.  She was 17 months old and alerted for her diabetic spontaneously.  She was a lovely lady, always well behaved.

In the past we’ve lost Sugar Dogs to being left in a car for 5 minutes with the windows up, heartworms, heart attacks, breast cancer, snake bites, car accidents, and one poor animal simply disappeared one rainy night.  Sugar Dogs are also at high risk of being stolen.  Please do not post your address.

While all of us want to do the very best that we can for our animals, we are their advocates and their only voice.  Please speak up for Sugar Dogs, speak out for Sugar Dogs, find a new Sugar Dog and love again.

Consider this:

A Dog’s Last Will and Testament

Before humans die, they write their Last Will and Testament, giving their home and all they have to those they leave behind.  If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I’d write:

To a poor and lonely stray, I’d give my happy home, my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillows and all my toys.  I’d give the lap I loved so much, the hand that stroked my fur, and the sweet voice that spoke my name.

I’d will to that sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human’s loving heart, which seemed to have no bounds.

So when I die, please do not say, “I will never have another dog, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.”  Instead, please go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope, and GIVE MY PLACE TO HIM OR HER.  For you see, this is the only thing I can really give… The love I left behind.

~~~ Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~~~

Florida Poodle Rescue Vice President Cynthia Taylor investigated the subject of pet trusts in Oct. 2013. Here is what she discovered:

If you are like most pet lovers, you think of your pets as family members. One of the issues we face in rescue is pets whose owners become unable to care for them. Health issues, owners unexpectedly having to go into a rehab facility or nursing home or the unfortunate death of the owner are only some of the things that leave pets without a home.

If pet owners would provide a Pet Trust for the care of their beloved pet, there would likely be more friends and/or family members willing to take on the care of the pet and fewer pets in shelters and rescues.

However, if a pet did end up in rescue and there was a trust for the pet–it would certainly be welcome financial assistance for the pet’s care. Some pets stay with rescues for only a week or two. Others are there for months and sometimes for a year or more, while others are never adopted. This long-term care is very costly for rescue groups.

What is a Pet Trust?

     A Pet Trust is a legal arrangement made for the care of one or more pets in the event of their owner’s disability or death. The trust can take effect while the owner is living and/or after their death.

Generally, there will be a person designated to hold the funds in the trust and that person will make payments to a designated caregiver monthly or whatever is designated in the trust. In some states, the trust may continue for the rest of the animal’s life.

How to Proceed

     The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that since there are several states in which a pet trust is not valid, and other states where enforcement is discretionary, it is advisable to set up a trust with the help of an attorney who specializes in estate planning.

The ASPCA also suggests that you consider the following issues as you consider preparing a Pet Trust:

* Adequately identify your pets in order to prevent fraud. Consider getting photos of your pet, microchip identifications and DNA samples. (One practical way of creating a trust is to create one for all of the pets you will have in your lifetime, rather than to create a separate trust for each pet.)

* Describe your pet’s standard of living and care in detail. That is, their nutritional needs, any health problems they have and the kind of home they are accustomed to living in.

* Require that the trustee ensures the caregiver is providing the pet with regular, thorough veterinary check-ups (i.e. twice annually).

* Determine the amount of cash or assets needed to adequately cover the expenses for your pet’s care. Generally, this amount cannot exceed what may reasonably be required given your pet’s standard of living. You should also specify how the funds should be distributed to the caregiver.

* Determine the amount of cash or assets needed to adequately cover the expenses of administering the pet trust. This would cover fees accrued by the trustee and possible attorney consultations, for example.

* Choose a beneficiary who will receive any remaining funds that were not used by the pet trust.

* Provide directions for your pet’s burial or cremation.

For additional information on this subject, please visit the ASPCA’s website at the following link:  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/planning-for-your-pets-future/pet-trust-primer

~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, Sugar Dogs International offers a free email about how to make a lasting legacy by donating through a Last Will and Testament.  Please email for details:  MySugarDogs@gmail.com

~~~~~
As an independent non-profit, we can’t raise capital like a regular business does.  Our successful launch of Sugar Dogs International, Inc. was only possible with the financial backing of supporters like you.  

Your donation funds important projects that will benefit Sugar Dog teams for years to come.  When you support Sugar Dogs International, you’re investing in a staff of professionals who are deeply committed to our mission.  You’re investing in an entrepreneurially oriented non-profit with a proven track record of successful initiatives.  You’re investing in the future of Sugar Dog teams worldwide.  100% of the teams who follow our training method exactly have improved A1c lab results!!!  Great results.

Of course, you may note which Sugar Dog team benefits from your assistance.

Your donation, big or small, makes ALL the difference.  To support our work, please click on the DONATE button below.