I will always be here to brighten your day.
Wally (aka Sir Wallingford) may have passed away last year, but his soul continues to brighten our days through the lilac bush that was planted in his honor. His memory will never fade. He will never be forgotten.
For when we sleep there is no pain. Only butterflies fluttering overhead. The birds singing their lullabies for us to hear. Eternal rest with God's creatures to comfort us.
His struggles in the last months of his life, has brought awareness of just how much still needs to be done to help others fight the horrible tick borne diseases that we face today. While there may never be prevention for all dogs, research and persistence of care can make a difference. Wally, through his fighting spirit, taught this rescue to never give up, even when the inevitable was not far away.
Wally brought so much love to this rescue, as many before him did and those that continue to arrive, but Wally was and continues to be "the special" one in the hearts of those he touched, today and always.
We miss you little guy.
My Soul Is Still Alive
The Passing of a Little Trooper
Sir Wallingford
Date of Birth: unknown
Date of Rebirth: August 26th in the year of our Lord 2008
Sir Wallingford (aka Wally) was a noble gent who knew no other word than fight to the end. And along the way he would come to stay with someone with a heart filled with Love and Compassion.
Little did anyone know when Sir Wallingford crossed their path, that he would have such an emotional bond with them. A bond of that no other. He didn't play, nor did he bark, but in his eyes you could read his desires. For all he wanted, in what time he may have had left, is someone to Love him for who he had become. Sir Wallingford was a gentle sole with an aurora about him that one couldn't help to fall in love with.
With his quirky little ways of spinning in circles or chomping down on the spoon that fed him and not letting go, you couldn't help but to keep on trying to let this Little Trooper continue in his quest to find a better place in his mind.
Sir Wallingford was a trooper to the end. The passing of souls to lend the space for another in need was in his eyes. He knew his time was over. God sent him here for a reason and he accomplished that task. He reminded those around him, that every dog, cat, or any animal, needs someone to love them and to take care of them, no matter what their health may be or how much time they may have left. He taught those around him to explore all options, within their means, and to learn new ways to help those in need. He accomplished all of this in the short few months of being in the loving hands of a very special person. He knew he had done what he was sent to do and now it was time to let him go.
So with all my love and those that loved him too, we say farewell to Wally and will cherish the time we had with him.
He was a pro when it came to making circles.
No more exercises to counter the spinning.
The spinning has stopped.
The pain is gone. You are free to romp in the tall grasses and let the wind blow in your face. God's special little trooper has gone home.
In Wally's memory and a tribute to his strength, a Lilac tree named Prince Charming, and rightly so, was planted that will breathe a new beginning each spring and remind us just how pure life can be and the beauty of what has been given to us to cherish each and every day.
Until we meet again.
We love you Wally.
The latest on Wally
I took Wally in to one of my local favorite vets for a chat for a second opinion. He’s been stuck in auto-pilot making crop circles in the yard and getting weaker and weaker. It is about 2 months post HW treatment- and he has been struggling. Dr. Smith looked him over and suggested that we try a course of Prednisone and Baytril in case his spinning is related to an inner ear/ infection/swelling. It could be the Erlichia could still be causing problems or the heartworm treatment caused his original spinning to worsen.
Well I didn’t expect any dramatic changes- but I am pleasantly surprised to see some positive improvements in less than 2 days. Wally seems to be sleeping better and even noticeably dreaming and to my relief he is more alert to me calling his name. He spinning is less tight and he is looking up more alertly when he sees me or the other dogs and he was even following me around the yard a little yesterday and a bit this AM. Keep thinking happy thoughts for Wally.
Two Convalescents...
Wally has a sunny day out together with Lucy, who is recovering
from surgery---the two have decided that they BOTH want to
get well and find their forever homes!
Yard Time
Wally and Ali enjoy some yard time.
Wally is still incredibly weak. He will still go through more medication to see if possible infections can be cleared up that might interfere with him walking straight. This boy still needs huge TLC. We are crossing our fingers that we will see more progress for this poor boy.
