Michiana Working Dog Association Rainbow Bridge Tribute

Always in our hearts and minds

The Rainbow Bridge
"Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to break away from the group,
flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face,
your hands again caress his beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you pass over Rainbow Bridge together ......."

~ Author (sadly) Unknown ~

Nightwinds Sylvan Shadow
7/90-6/98
You came to our home and brought us untold joy,when you left you took part of our hearts with you. until we meet again you will always be missed
Larry, Tanya, Kasey And Cody

Dara Von Der Eichenland, SchH 2, Search Dog. Owned, trained and loved by Jan-Harkner Abbs

Ahnden
SCH3--Search Dog
owned trained and loved by Jan-Harkner Abbs

Ari Von Ruckenwald
BH--Sch1--AD
owned, trained and loved by Jan-Harkner Abbs

Bree Von Ruckenwald, SchH 3, AD, CGC, FEMA 2 Disaster Dog, Human Remains Detection, Area Search Dog, Orange Township Fire Department's first official search dog. Born April 17, 1995. Died October 28th, 2005. Bree was my soul mate. Her loss affected not only me, but the community. She was honored in many ways by the community and continues to this day. She'll be forever in my heart and on every search in the future. You were a great teacher. I miss you more than words can ever say.

jan

Owned trained and loved by Jon and Michelle Sarabia

On January 2, 2004 Jon and I lost a very special lady named Raja. Her struggle with cancer came to a peaceful end with us by her side. Right now, words can not describe our family’s loss.

Raja was a Rottweiler with so much class and grace. She was one of a kind and no other Rottie will ever come close in taking her place. She had a special way with the disabled and with children. She had a special way with people who felt uncomfortable around her but yet was able to steal their hearts. It was like she had a sense like no one or like no other living thing we’ve seen.

In her eight years of life, Raja has given us, our family and her friends many memories to keep her spirit alive for a life time. She is the Rottweiler who started it all for us. We thank her for not only her education upon us but also for the education she has given to countless of people over the years about her noble breed. The hearts and minds she has changed is overwhelming. Raja was loved, admired, and respected in every military community we lived in. We would not be the people we are today if it were not for our dear Raja.

Raja, we thank you for sharing your life with us. For giving us so many unbelievable memories. For being the great ambassador you were for the breed. For the countless lives you changed for just being “you.” You are now free baby girl. You have your wings...go fly....Cinderella!

We love you
We miss you dearly

Raja Von Viper Smith, CGC
September 18, 1995-January 2, 2004

owned trained and loved by patti Rovtar some times the best work a dog can do is make its owner happy!

SWEET ANGEL LUNA

I said goodbye to my best and closest friend, Luna, on December 10, 2004.
Luna was close to 10 years old on that day and had not once spent the night
without me, or me without her, since the first day I brought her home as a
furry, razor-toothed, fun loving rascal of a Rottweiler puppy, back on May
10th, 1995.

Luna never set her paws on a Schutzhund field, but she knew what it was
about.

Luna went everywhere with me that I could take her. She came to work, we
went to stores, we hiked in the hills and ran on the beach. She was
buoyant, she was steady, she was social, she was curious. She was an
excellent listener and never once did she fail to comply with my command to
return to my side, regardless of circumstance, even when asked in mid
pursuit of critters in the hills or out of a direct line of sight with me.

She practiced her tracking skills on our daily walks in the neighborhood,
when I would give her some lead and she would track the path of a cat or a
squirrel so precisely the track became almost visible to me. She learned
she could flush the mouse in the woodpile out from his "blind" by picking up
one end of the tarp that covered it, shaking it, and then dropping it to
peek over to the far end and see if the mouse ran out, in which case the
chase was on.

Luna held sentry on the upstairs balcony when I was out of the house, where
she had a bird's eye view through the downstairs windows of the goings on in
her neck of the woods, our front yard. She rarely barked while I was home,
but the Gas Company told me they had an XXX on our record, meaning Big Dog
Barking, so I know she did her job and paid attention to who was out and
about. She practiced her bark and hold on our backyard squirrels, who loved
the attention I think, since they always came back for more. They would
spend hours chit-chitting at her, then zoom off only to turn around and zoom
back for more. I do believe they miss the interaction, especially since she
didn't really want to catch them, she just wanted to tell them off, and them
her. Only once in her life did she sense the urgency to demonstrate her
protective instincts seriously. One very dark night, as we turned the
corner down the side of the house, she instantly took four huge, high,
bounding leaps down the side of the house to the gate with a single, huge,
bellowing bark at each stride. There was a person standing on the other
side of the gate and she told that person in no uncertain terms that they
had best be gone and they had best be gone NOW.

Structural and health limitations may have restricted the exposure and
intensity with which she could express her heritage, but that didn't prevent
her from dabbling in her Rottweilerness and living a good and happy life to
the best of her abilities. She was never tested among a group of her peers,
but she proved herself to me.

Luna and I shared much joy and conquered many battles. The cancer that ate
at her spine was one battle I was not willing to subject her to and she was
not strong enough to fight. The day I released her, I opened my heart to
her as I have never done before and even when she died, she came to me. I
gently wrapped my heart around her, where I will protect her and she will
forever be safe from pain and disease. I love you so, Luna. Play hard,
sweetheart, I will be watching.

Patti Rovtar

Krieger Von Hunter Byer Hill YOU ARE MISSED

06/24/ 93 to 12/17/04
Owners MIke and Angie Overdeer

CHASE

Owned,trained and loved by Sandi Winowiecki. I sit here, with tears in my eyes, trying to find the words to tell everyone who never met her, why Chase was so special. Please bear with me if this is a little long and rambling.

We found her in a run at Animal Control. This sweet dog that sat quietly at the front of the run, not barking or making a big fuss, just waiting to be noticed. She had recently had a litter of pups, her teats hung to the floor. She looked so sad and so lost. We inquired at the front desk, but there was a name of someone who was interested in her if she wasn't picked up by her owners. On a whim, I added my name, just in case.

She moved in knowing everything. Basic commands - knew them all. Put your head down - every time I asked. Housebroken - I can count the accident of almost eight years on one hand. And love. God, did this dog know how to love.

My son was born 8 months after Chase found us. As a toddler, he once stood on her head to put his sippy cup on the dining room table. She was so careful to be absolutely still - except for her eyes. Those beautiful tan eyebrows went up to see what he was doing. Of course, I corrected my son, but Chase wasn't bothered in the least by the whole thing. As Quinten grew older, he tried to ride her like a pony. She simply sat down. No fuss, no muss, just a neat sit. As he continued to grow, it was not uncommon to find Chase sleeping nearby.

Chase was the dog that all of the little kids in the neighborhood got to meet first. I remember the woman across the street bringing her 18 month old daughter over. She wanted her daughter to meet the big dog that behaved so well so that her daughter wouldn't be afraid of dogs. My next door neighbor's neice was out playing in the front yard last summer and came up and knocked on my front door. She wanted to know if Chase could come out and play.

Chase loved car rides and parades. Especially the parades where little kids had cotton candy. She loved those sticky, chubby little fingers.

Chase limped for the first time on the 4th of February. I caught my breath and told my husband that she could not get cancer now.

She went to the bridge surrounded by family, knowing that she was loved. And oh, how she was loved.

Blaise BH, CGC 9/97 - 4/05

Loved, owned and trained by Laurie Stupak Blaise, My heart is broken in two.
Half I'll keep with me, and the rest you take with you.

Keep it with you always and know,
I am with you wherever you go.

You came into my life months after I had chosen your name
and years before I'd know the pain to see you go.

You brought so much joy and excitement to my life,
but most importantly you brought me love.

I will never change the pain I feel today
for all the love I felt yesterday.

You are my sunshine, my love and I will never forget you.

honored to have been Bree's owner and trainer Owned Trained And Loved By Christy Floor

Diriget Dues Bree-Ann High in Trial- CDX, ASCA CD, IDGDT, CGC
Nerves of steel~heart of gold. Taken from us way too soon.
-She would have been the first Rottie bitch with a PSA title had it not been that the cancer was already slowing her down without our knowledge. She came very close to passing in spite of it. Brave til the end, she inspired many, was loved by many more, and will be greatly missed.

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