Memorials
We lost
Evan
Louise Smith
Mark Ecterling
Service Dog Bongo
Service Dog in Training,
Service Dog in training, Hugo
Service Dog in Training, Moby
Connor Millard: March 1, 1999 - September 18, 2007
  Connor made an unforgetable impact in the lives of all he met and especially in the lives of all the staff of 4 Paws.
His life was short but mighty.
He lived with a courage few will ever understand.
 Connor is free and full of bliss, given back to God with Mommy and Daddy's everlasting kiss.
This sweet little boy, a gift from above, he showed this world a special kind of love.
Nothing more to anchor him and prevent his play, all is good in Heaven each and everyday.
A breath of fresh air, no longer a fight.
A football tucked under his arm, he'll play on his field of dreams every night.
Angels cheer on Team Connor to win, his face aglow and beaming with a grin.
Touchdown!
He's done it again!
The angels cheer and one calls out, "Go Connor!"
As we stay here on earth and root him on in prayer and special honor.
He will also find the Rainbow Bridge in Heaven's place.
A special furry friend has been waiting there for him and will run to him in the fastest pace.
He'll jump on Connor with so much joy, he's waited just so long for his special boy.
And now the time is here, his boy is by his side! No more lonesome nights for the boy he cried.
They'll romp and they'll run, they're already best of friends with nothing to do but have lots of fun.
Connor's face is wet from doggy kisses galore, he'll giggles and say, "You're tickling me, stop, no more!"
Together they'll be without worries or a care, laughing and snuggling, a wonderful pair.
All is good in Heaven, Connor will tell you so. Nothing to hold him back from the places he will go.
Roam free, little Connor, eternal bliss is yours.
Just remember that lasting kiss though from those who loved you most here on earth and opened so many doors.
Author Laura Baily
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KUMA: November 15, 2006 - February 18, 2007
  The name Kuma is Native American, and it means "Bear."
Kuma's time with us was brief. Our hope is that today he is playing with a young child in heaven who needed a special friend to wait with them until their parents join them.
We picture Kuma as I did when we named him, a large, cuddly, Teddy Bear with the child's arms around his neck hugging him tightly.
Kuma spent a brief few days with the women at Lakin Correctional where he was loved.
April, one of his handlers, wrote the following poem for him.
Our Little Puppy
The puppy they gave us was named Kuma.
He was so adorable and loved to play.
I know he kept me happy all through the day.
We only had him a little while and he became very sick.
They came to take him away
then told us he's gone to heaven to stay.
My heart hurts because you're gone
Kuma, we prayed and waited for you to come home.
You are at peace and we must understand
that God has His reasons, and we just have to trust his plan.
Thanks for the joy you brought us while you were here.
Mommy number one and number two will never forget you my dear.
We have a picture with you, that we'll keep forever
and we'll always cherish the time we spent together.
By April |
Louise Smith
Louise came to us for a dog, and she is one of the few adults we work with each year.
Loredo was the perfect match.
He brought joy to her life and gave her a reason to get through each day.
Loredo served her well and now spends his days with her husband Ken and has taken a special place in his heart as well.
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4 Paws Banjo Of St. Clair: 11-27-2003 to 9-17-2004: Service Dog in Training
Labradoodle Banjo was donated by St.Clair Kennels Michigan
  Banjo was with us for a short while but had a large impact on all of us. Had Banjo known good health, he would have been a wonderful service dog.
We had hoped that Banjo would develop a means of living with his disability but reoccurring pneumonia took its toll and we made the choice that was right for Banjo.
We believe there is a special place in Heaven for all dogs but the service dogs, I am sure, get the recognition they deserve.
Banjo was raised by a wonderful young lady, who gave him her all and it was evident in the many successes they enjoyed during his time with her. I am sure that like us, Banjo will live on within her heart as she raises her new 4 Paws Puppy.... Murphy, a little Black Lab.
Here are some words about Banjo from his puppy raiser and we have included some of the pictures that were her favorite. The pictures speak for themselves - a special dog missed by all!
Banjo was one of those dogs that everyone was drawn to. He would tolerate just about everything, whether it be a baby pulling his hair or sun glasses. He loved to play fetch and swim. He was one of those dogs that you didn't have to teach anything...just show him what you wanted him to do and he did it. Although he was only here a short while he made a huge impact on my life and really taught me what unconditional love was. He was a once in a lifetime dog.
Evan Cousineau November 3, 1997 - November 2, 2007   We never got to meet Evan.
Diagnosed with ALD (Adrenoleukodystrophy), Evan longed for a service dog and we wanted to make that happen.
Evan never made it to the training class we placed him in, and it is our hope that 4 Paws Service Dog Bongo who left for heaven without his young partner has once again found himself with a boy to love.
The picture on the left is of Evan and his family on their last day together.
Here at 4 Paws we believe that for every dog which leaves us a special child in heaven needed a "Service Angel." As hard as it is to see them go...to think of them beside a child, who perhaps is waiting for their parents, freed from their disability, and needing a special friend to help them wait for the day they will be reunited with their family...is comforting and a very special calling indeed.
We think they visit us in the gentle breeze of a summer's night to make sure all is well on Earth, and maybe if we sit still and quiet we might feel them beside us: their warmth and their strength. Perhaps they come to see that another furry friend on Earth has stepped up to fill the loss in our hearts and to see that all is well.
In Loving Memory of Bongo - loved by his partner, Connor April 26, 2005 - December 29, 2007
When a dog dies it is never an easy thing especially for those of us who's animals are a part of the family. Today, December 29, 2006 the Good family lost a family member and their son Connor lost his 4 Paws Service Dog, Bongo to cancer. Only 48 hours ago he was healthy and happy. He was struck by a rare cancer that once developing spreads through the body rapidly with completely affecting every organ. The cancer started one day ago and rapidly spread to his entire body.
 Bongo has gone to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for his young partner. For Bongo it will be a long wait but I imagine God must have a very special place in heaven for service dogs. I like to think that when a service dog is lost to us on earth they are brought to be with a child in heaven who left earth all to early and needed a special dog by their side for awhile.
I hope that Ben, the founder of 4 Paws, the little dogs we have lost in our rescue work, and Bongo might meet one another and become a part of the 4 Paws Family who have arrived before them.
Boomer, as he was known during his stay with us, was rescued from a back yard breeder by a wonderful group in Kentucky, The Wayne County Humane Society, with his 5 brothers and sisters. The group knew immediately that this little family belonged at 4 Paws and that the puppies will grow up to do great things. As a puppy he grew up with a 4 Paws Puppy Raiser, the Rice Family. They loved Boomer and it is no doubt he had a wonderful "puppyhood" before starting his formal training with 4 Paws.
When he was ready, Boomer Too became Bongo, earlier this year. Though his service dog work was far too short he was truly loved and welcomed by his young partner, Connor who gave him his name, and his new family.
Courage Born and Died 4-29-2007 & his Sister, Faith: Born 4-29-2007 Died 4-30-2007
God must have needed these babies in heaven, and we hope that their lives as "Service Dog Angels" are full and rewarding. Proudly given to God by their parents MJ (4 Paws MJ's Gift) and Hobo (4 Paws I Ain't No Hobo)
Sadly missed by their 5 brothers and their sister.
| In the Candle's Glow
Warm light coming from far below,
Twinkling, sparkling is the candle's glow.
All is well up on the ridge,
The place we know as Rainbow Bridge.
Furbabies sleeping in heaven's light,
Tended by candles in the night.
Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,
As they slumber in this night so deep.
Hearts on earth that miss them so,
Take comfort in the candle's glow.
Watching for them in skies above,
Bound eternally by a cord of love.
By Laura Hickman
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Bailey Belle: 4 Paws Mobility Assistance Dog - Human Partner: Judi Reed
  It is with sadness we announce the loss of Bailey. She lost her struggle with cancer today - June 12, 2007 She was 10 1/2 years old and did her job well and right up to the end. Bailey was one of the two first dogs taken in and placed through 4 Paws in 1999.
We got her from a Golden Retriever rescue where she had been sent for "eating the couch" in not one but two homes :0) All she needed was a little interaction and some training and she turned out to be a fine, well loved, and respected service dog. I am sure the kids at the elementary school where Judi works will miss her visits.
I remember when Judi first met Bailey and said, "What? I wanted a red golden retriever, not a blond one."
Today Judi would give anything for one more day with Bailey. I know that Ben, who watches over all "his" dogs which graduate from 4 Paws was waiting for her at the rainbow bridge and I know the four little puppies we lost this past week will have Bailey to mother them. They were so tiny.
My guess is the 4 Paws service dogs and puppies who have gone before us are having a celebration tonight to welcome Bailey home. While Bailey is young and able to run freely again, it is a hard loss for the teammate left behind.
Mark Echterling, Max, And Shadow: Mobility Assistance Dogs
  Mark came to 4 Paws, after being diagnosed with brain cancer asking if we could give his dogs the recognition they deserve. While we rarely certify dogs that have not been trained through our agency, these special dogs did indeed deserve the 4 Paws titles of 4 Paws Service Dog, UKC GR CH Tumbledowns Moon Shadow DSA, PDX, TDI, CGC, Penn Hip, OFA El. Shadow has the following credentials:
Dog Scouts of America Certificate of Merit Awards, Therapy Dog International, ATTS Temperament Test, Obstacle Course 1, 2, 3, Naked Dog Obedience (No leash or collar), Shape Painting, Shape Musical Instruments, Drill Team, Tracking, Back Packing, Hiking (off leash), Biking, Carting, Weight Pulling, Herding, Water Safety 1 and 2, Community Service and Honor Scout
4 Paws Service Dog UKC GR CH RBIMBS Royal Echos Maximum TT, TDI, CGC, PDX, DSA, OFA. Max has the following credentials:
 Third male ever to make Grand Champion in the UKC, Dog Scouts of America Certificate of Merit Awards, Therapy Dog International, Temperament Test, Obstacle Test 1, 2, 3, Agility 1 and 2, Rally Obedience, Naked Dog Obedience (no leash or collar), Art of Shape Painting, Shaping Musical Instruments, Drill Team, Tracking, Back Packing, Hiking (off leash), Biking, Frisbee Dog, Carting, Weight Pulling, Herding, Water Safety 1 and 2, Water Rescue 1, First Aid, DSA Community Service Award and Honor Scout
On September 9, 2004 Mark lost his battle with cancer and moved on to wait by the rainbow bridge for his service dogs Max and Shadow to join him.
I am sure there are many dogs there who lived awesome lives because of Mark's rescue efforts to wait with him.
During his life Mark founded the National White German Shepherd Rescue, Echo Dogs. He and his dogs won the many awards and titles listed above.
We are proud to have had him join the 4 Paws For Ability Family and to have added Shadow and Max to our list of awesome 4 Paws Service Dogs going above and beyond the call of duty.
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