Senior Abby came to us in May of 2005, from the SPCA. She had been found by a caring couple, who fostered her and tried to take care of her, but in the end, the medical bills became too high for them to be able to continue. They surrendered her to the SPCA, where she was started on a medical program to take care of her illnesses. 

When Abby came to us, she was extremely over weight at a whopping 104lbs, was suffering from years of chronic bronchial pneumonia, discoid  lupus, sinus problems,  arthritis and low thyroid.

Ugh. What a long road back it was going to be for Abby!

Abby was placed into foster care with one of our longest volunteer members. While Mike has done many, many things for GSRBC, he had not yet fostered a dog, and Abby would be his first. 

She was nothing that he wanted "on paper", but everything he needed.  Together they set out on a special journey of learning, caring and loving. 

While Mike took care of Abby's medical needs and nursed her back to health (doing a phenomenal job) and worried, and stressed, and then worried some more, Abby was patient, quiet, waiting, and unyielding in her sole devotion and love for him. 

Together they battled sleepless nights, numerous trips to the vet, but also many quiet moments, lots of late night talks, and made many special memories together. Mike & Abby bonded deeply, and while Mike nursed Abby, she began to teach him about the true nature of the German Shepherd dog. She was his constant companion, always greeting him at the door when he got home from work, always protecting the house from the front window, telling off other dogs on their walks, and at times, testing him to make sure he was paying attention to the lessons she was teaching. 

While in his care, Abby lost the mound of extra weight that she had been carrying. Her thyroid stabilized. The pain from her arthritis was minimized, and she was soon moving around more easily. Her lupus and sinus problems all but disappeared, and she continued to get more and more healthy every day. However, there was so much damage done to Abby's lungs, that they could not be repaired, only managed, and there were many times when she had attacks that scared the life out of Mike. 

In January of 2006, we had a short visit with Mike & Abby. It was clear to us that there was a true, deep and abiding bond between them. We knew then, that Abby had already found her forever home, but we had to wait for Mike to see that too. It didn't take more than a few days after that, for Mike to email and ask if it would be possible to adopt Abby. Finally! Our hearts soared! Abby was finally home.

We all enjoyed hearing about Abby daily in our online group. It was clear to see how deeply Mike had fallen for her. 

Sadly, in September of 2006, Abby took a turn for the worse. The years before had finally caught up with her, and she could no longer continue. Mike was having a hard time letting her go. We told him, "listen to her with your heart Mike. She'll tell you if she is ready." 

Abby was laid to rest the next day. All she gave Mike in life, continues in death. The bond is not broken, and while Mike will nurse a broken heart for a while for his beloved Abby, through her, he will eventually reach out to help the next one in need. 

GSRBC sends our deepest thanks to Mike for taking the journey with Abby. For giving her value. For bringing her home.  

Abby was laid to rest on September 30th 2006

http://www.gsrbc.com/in_memory.htm

Thank you to all of Abby's sponsors: