Callie LaRocco
My husband got Callie was he was 12 years old. She was his best friend and when I met him, she quickly became my friend too. Callie was a St. Bernard and Pit Bull mix and was one of the sweetest, most loving, and obedient dogs you would ever meet. She loved to play, eat cookies, and sleep in the bed. She was there for us when my in laws passed away, always offering a gentle lick or a snuggle. The time following my in laws passing was very difficult, but Callie was the one constant in our lives and we loved her so very much. In 2004, at the age of 14, Callie was diagnosed with intestinal cancer and 3 months later we had to put her to sleep. Not a day goes by that we don't think about and miss our sweet and loving Callie girl. A few months after Callie passed, we got our beagle, Bailey. She is such a sweet little angel and we know that Callie surely would have loved her too!!

Clay 02/12/2008
Clay crossed the rainbow bridge today. Waiting to meet him on the other side were Ivan, Jimmy, Missy, On Time, Kizzy, Parker, Mable, Sarge, Bisquit, Buddy VIII, Boo and all the beagles who have crossed before him. We are so grateful to Jean for her loving care of him in his last days. We both gave him kisses and told him how much he was loved. I played The Broken Road for him on his journey and I am sure Sarge wouldn't have minded sharing "his song." Every long lost dream Led me to where you are Others who broke my heart They were like northern stars Pointing me on my way Into your loving arms This much I know is true, That God blessed the broken road That led me straight to you.......

Cody 5/1/07
Cody took a very sudden turn very early this morning and was not able to stand or keep food down. His mass felt much much larger and even his fluids did not help him feel better....he was listless, would not eat and was unable to walk or stand very well today. I kept him company all day to assess if this was just a bad spell or the beginning of the end of his 6 month bout with cancer. We already had a vet appt to check his kidney levels this afternoon, so I took him in knowing that it probably would be the time to let him go. Dr Palm confirmed that there were poor lung sounds indicating that there were most likely tumors that had developed there, and having watching him be uncomfortable and breathe rapidly all day, I knew I could not let him linger or suffer. I hated saying goodbye more than I could imagine, as just last night he was with me visiting a friend and some little beagle puppies, and just Sunday evening he made us all laugh at the park doing his walk to and from the gate and the group wondering "when are we going home"? (he always did that, so it wasn't unusual). He was a trooper to the end! He went peacefully with a wonderful vet staff to support me and with his little St Francis statue to watch over us and to help him on his journey to a better place. I told Cody that as soon as he got to heaven he had my permission to kick Jesse's ass. (Jesse was always his nemesis while he was here). Cody was a big hit with BREW when I worked with them. His homechecks were legendary - he tested people by marking in their houses, jumping on tables and chewing antiques to see how they react and how tolerant they would be as dog owners. One specially memorable story about his little dog complex was when someone brought an unneutered doberman to one of the beaglefest meetups. The Dobie kept bothering Cody when finally Cody could take it no longer. He took on the huge dobie, barking his head off and chased him clear across the fenced in park while everyone stood with mouths open amazed. He was the best! Even though he did well during his 6 months of diagnosis, this was the way I knew it would happen based on the prognosis, but it is still devastating. I had him 10 years and he was my first dog. I wouldn't be who I am today if I hadn't adopted him and I am grateful he put up with me all these years. He brought many many of us joy and memories and I thank all of you who knew him for loving him and telling me along the way what a special boy he was. He is in a better place now. Susan