The Rainbow Bridge Receives a Few Westies...

Somewhere among the clouds is a special place where Westies go when they die to wait for us to join them....together forever.  

The Rainbow Bridge received a few additional Westies who came through our rescue and rehoming program. It is always hard to receive those emails and calls from adoption owners that the little one they adopted have died. These Westies will always remain locked in time within our minds, just as they left with their new owners, happy, tails up and wagging as they went off to a new life and adventures. So, when those sad messages come in announcing their passing, our minds rush back to that vision in time where they have never aged, gotten sick, or aged out of life way too early.

Last week, I received a call from one of our long-term foster dads, who reported Mr. Fergus 2, was in pain and unable to relieve himself. Off he went to the emergency Vet for some medical diagnostic insight as poor little Fergus has a tumor growing inside him that was discovered by our wonderful Vets at Greater Annapolis Vet Hospital (GAVH.com) when Fergus first came into our arms a few months ago.

Over the past few months the tumor has been growing fast, filling up his little body. First blocking off nerves to his rear leg, then pushing on his bladder, then growing into the size of a grapefruit before he allowed any signs to show of having problems to interfere with his happy life in long-term foster care.

In Fergus' mind, every day was a happy day. A day to wag his tail, play with toys, chase after the other Westies in the yard who thought they were number one, and lay in his special place next to dad during TV time. Those were his special roles and he was king, if only in his own little mind. The three other resident Westies, knowing his limited abilities, played along giving into his antics with a knowing sigh while looking at dad.

Fergus bored his way into his foster dad's heart by following him around and even refusing to leave his sick bed during a bought of the flu. Fergus laid right next to his dad's shoulder in bed as if to say, "You're going to be OK. I am right here as your 24/7 nurse. I will keep my eye on you." It is hard to find a more loving and human focused little guy. He leaves behind a hole in the fabric of life.

Another Westie who just passed on, was Miss Bella. Her mom sent in a note that says it all.

We wanted to let you know that we lost our beloved Bella on May 25, 2024. We will forever be grateful to you and Westie Rescue for bringing Bella into our lives on Dec 24, 2020. You rescued her out of Charleston, WV. She brought immense joy to our entire family and greeted every person she met like a lifelong friend. We loved her with all our hearts and she gave us more love and joy than we knew possible. Now there is gaping hole in our lives. Bella loved to go for walks, roam free in the woods and fields at our country home - bark at deer and wild turkeys. She sniffed at everything, of course just like a Westie! One of things she loved to do was chase shadows - she would pounce on them trying to catch them - with her tail wagging in circles with delight.

We adopted her when she was 9 years old and had a serious heart condition which required constant medical monitoring and medications. We also had to have a 'growth' removed from her rear paw in October 2023 - which turned out to be cancerous (but they got it all). We always knew she was fearless, but recovering from cancer, and that dreaded cone and medipaw boot - was heroic indeed. 

She was playful and loving with us always - even when it turned out that her kidneys were failing. She had excellent Vet care from Clarendon Animal Care (we would highly recommend to others) - and especially loving care from VCA South Paws Veterinary Emergency Room when it was clear that she was in kidney failure. Bella was a constant joy in our lives and will forever be in our hearts. She was our first fur baby in the family and boy did she set a high bar!

We will always cherish the 3.5 years we had together - and we now truly understand the love of a family member pet - thanks to our dear Bella!

We know she is in heaven and has passed over the rainbow bridge - because the afternoon that she went to sleep forever, she sent us a rainbow as a sign (see below).

Thank you for our Bella and all you do for wonderful Westies!

We sent a donation to Westie Rescue in her honor.

Wishing you a very Happy Holiday,

Elizabeth and Michael K. - Arlington, VA 

Another special Westie girl who just passed away was Aiko. She was one of my own Westie Ferus' littermates. She was one well loved and cared for little girl who passed away just a few months short of her 17th birthday. She leaves her mom heart broken and alone. She leaves that big hole in her mom's life as all well loved Westies do when they are gone.

Aiko was a best buddy, traveler, companion, and a super friendly little Westie. One who leaves behind memories and stories that will be told over and over again as she is not really gone, as she lives forever as a special Westie inside our hearts. 

When these little ones pass on, they leave such a hole in all our lives. They leave behind little energy pockets in our homes that we see frequently from the corners of our eyes. The places where they slept, where they kept an eye on the yard providing a 24/7 guard lookout, and that spot where many a meal was eaten with gusto. 

Every time one of "our" Westies pass on, I say a prayer to St Peter to crack open the gates to allow one more special Westie to help with the rodents among the clouds of heaven, all the way to the rainbow bridge. Heaven needs these Westies as they are the best little hunters and are always faithful in their focused pursuit of keeping their domains clear of interlopers, squirrels, rats and the mailman.

Link: https://westierescue.com/blog/what-happens-to-westies-when-they-die.html

"God Speed to each of you until we see you once again at that bridge among the clouds."

Uncle Stephen - January 2025