A Bright Light Passed

The world was left a little bit darker, this past Sat, Oct 27, when one of the brightest souls I have ever known passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Eden left us, peacefully, yesterday, after a short battle with bone cancer. I have never had to make a harder decision than the one to let her go. I couldn't watch her suffer any longer though, and Dr. Wyatt was so kind to come, after any decent hour, and help to release Eden from her earthly bonds. This poem is one of my favorites and I thought upon it as I called Dr. Wyatt and made my decision.

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL
If it should be that I grow frail and weak and pain does keep me from my sleep, then will you do what must be done for this - the last battle - can't be won. You will be sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand. For on this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend, only stay with me til the end. And hold me firm and speak to me until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree, it is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must now be you, who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close, we two, these years - don't let your heart hold any tears.

A part of me died when Eden left. She has been my running pawtner, roommate, keeper of all my secrets, my very bestfriend since I adopted her, or she found me, however you look at it, in 2000. It has been 7 short years since then and part of me feels cheated for not having the chance to spend more time with her but another part of me feels so blessed for having met her at all. I have fostered many dogs and known many more, but have never met a dog as sweet, loving, caring and giving as Eden. Most anyone who met her would agree with that statement, and knowing that I got to share my life so intimately with her, makes me feel like one of the luckiest people alive.

I will never forget, Eden Anne, all the thousands of miles we ran together. How she would happily run right in front of me, forging the way, or the time I tripped and fell and she ran back to stand over me protecting me from a phatom attacker (or just the embarassment of being seen). I will never forget crying in her fur, during the rough times, and how she licked away my tears when I found out she was to leave me before I was ready.
A part of Eden will always be with me....I will never find another friend who will love me as unconditionally as she did, forgiving me my faults and short comings.

I hope she is somewhere where there are hundreds of trails to explore and as many squirrels to chase up trees. "In heaven dogs don't need wings because they prefer running to flying".

I hope that someday I might be lucky enough to join you, Sweet Eden, because my soul is not whole without you.


To Eden's Friends,

I plan to purchase a brick, placed at Lou Neff Point, on Lady Bird Lake http://www.townlaketrail.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=40, (where Eden spent many happy runs with me and her other running buddies) to help commemorate Eden's memory. I know some of you have mentioned wanting to donate towards the cost of Eden's brick. If any of Eden's friends would like to make a donation towards "Eden's Brick" then, please send a check to

Aussie Rescue
PO BOX 10426
Austin TX 78766-1426
Aussie Rescue is a 501c3 organization and any money received, over the cost of the brick, will go directly to Aussie Rescue.

Also, if you would like to see more pictures of Eden and even a movie or 2, please visit Eden's dad's blogsite. It will touch your heart and for those of you who do not know the many ways Eden graced our world, it will help you to understand why so many felt she was more than just a "dog". http://justsouthofthedot.blogspot.com/

Nowhere to Turn

At TownLake, there is an Aussie in Pen 179 @ TLAC, ID# 490122, who is about 10 months old. They say he is energetic and shows no signs of ever having been trained.

However, someone (who lives in an apt.)put in an application on him 6 days ago, but the app. has not finalized, nor been retracted. This means that his time is up and he needs either an interested party or someone to foster him till he finds a home of his own.

TLAC did a behavioral eval. which emphasizes the need for an experienced person with an active lifestyle.

Aussie Rescue is looking for someone who enjoys going hiking, running, walking or just being outside in general and wouldn't mind taking this guy along for the fun. Also, this person needs to have been around active dogs, before. Aussies are awesome dogs. If any of you have met Eden, you know how smart, loyal and all around loving they can be. However, I have always run with Eden and almost all of the Aussies and Aussie mixes I have fostered needed that kind of outlet for their energy.

Even if you don't have the space for a foster, please fwd this message on. You never know who, of your friends, are looking for a dog or who would be willing to share their home with a foster dog and help him to find a home of his own.

Anyone interested in finding out more information is welcome to email me at marlawanda@gmail.com

Thanks for reading and passing on.

cheers,
Marla and Eden

Sweet, Smart, Affectionate and Pretty Darn Cute Describes Cricket

Cricket is an amazing dog. She was found, out near Bastrop, in a pen with several other dogs. The dogs were never taken out of their pen and only had human contact, once a week when their person would take a bag of food and throw it to them. Because of this hard beginning, Cricket came to us with calluses on her hind quarters, obviously having had numerous litters, over weight, scarred and with a case of heart worms. We thought we were going to have a hard case on our hands. I am happy to say that Cricket is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever fostered. She is house trained, knows a few commands, is super smart and a HUGE lover. Nothing makes her happier than to have her head on your lap or be sleeping at your feet when you are watching TV or working on the computer. Well, maybe one thing, she LOVES to go for walks or short jogs. She is not running high mileage but 3 to 4 miles at a 9:30 plus pace is great. She also loves the dog park. So, if you are looking for a calm dog but who loves to be active, Cricket is the girl for you. She gets along great with her two doggie housemates and her kitty housemate. She is spayed, over her heart worms, and current on all shots. Having been outside, on the hard earth, most of the first two years of her life, I am hoping to find Cricket a forever home where she will not spend her days outdoors but will have access, at all times, to a nice, soft pillow inside.