Remembering Your Pet

Bailey was the greatest! She was so independent and opinionated as most cats are, but she was also caring and always knew when someone needed a ‘hug’. She will be greatly missed.

• Deborah B.

Bailey’s Story

I adopted Bailey when she was a kitten. She was the runt of the litter and I was just a college junior looking for a companion. Little did I know we would spend the next 22 years growing up together. I miss my buddy so much!

Riley joined our young family the summer before we were married. He was a sweet friend to our dog Isis for a few years before she passed. He truly brought out a curious side I’d never seen of Isis – more friendly to other dogs, more willing to try foods she would normally turn away. And then, he was a patient and gentle pal to our kiddos.

We will all miss this sweet boy, but are glad that he is no longer in pain — and we are really grateful for the compassionate care he received at home through House Call Vet RVA. RIP, Riley Roo 🧡🧡 We love you.

• Paula O

Riley’s Story

Riley came into our life about 12 years ago, as a one-year-old (or so) rescue. We aren’t 100% sure what his life was like before us — tho legend has it that he was found living alone in a silo on some farmland in rural Virginia — but we know he wasn’t given the right care as a young pup. He was malnourished, skittish, and had heart-worm. We were never able to rid him of his food insecurity, leash aggression, effects of abandonment, or anxiety — but we loved him so much for his loyalty, affectionate personality, energy, and his docile nature with our children. Through him, I learned more about the long term impacts of early trauma — all creatures do their best when they are treated well from the start.

Bella was a mother’s day gift to my wife. Forever in our hearts..We miss you so much.

“Rest in peace sweet Blossom darling.“

• Steph & Adam C

Blossom Dearie’s Story

Blossom found us because she knew we needed her. We love jazz music and have always named our pets after jazz musicians. The name Blossom Dearie suited her personality because she was always so sweet and loving.

“For 14 years Ernie was the best dog to us. He was loving, sweet, and everyone that got to know him loved him too. We will miss you so much buddy. There’s no one like you 🐕
Have fun in doggy heaven! We know you had fun in here, we tried to give you the best life. I hope we did.
We’ll you on the other side of the rainbow one day. Love you always 💓“

–Brantley & Josefina Bourne

Ernie’s Story

We adopted Ernie the winter of 2010 from the Hanover Humane Society. He had a brother and they were Bert and Ernie. We loved on both of them for a few weeks and ended up adopting our Ernie. He was the best.

“Soco, it’s been a year since I lost you and I still miss you every single day. You brought so much joy to my life and were my greatest comfort. You were truly my best friend. Words can’t express how much I love you and will miss you forever.“

–Kayci McLeod

Soco’s Story

I got Soco as a junior in college. He got me through law school and lived in five different states with me over the course of his life. He loved food of all kinds (kale especially!), “chatting” with me when I came home, his lobster toys, and snuggling with his dog sister, Willow.

-Steve & Tracy G.

Dez’s Story

Dez loved to eat ice cream every night before going to bed with his dad, and he loved a stuffed animal with a squeaker.

“RIP my sweet girl. You were a constant companion and a source of comfort to me always. I will miss you terribly! 💔🐾 #AllDogsGo2Heaven”

-Tricia H.

Bella’s Story

Bella was born in a pole barn in Chesterfield. We got her at 8 weeks old. She was instantly Mom’s bestie, snuggling up to her hand on night one. She was loyal and good, never chewing up anything that wasn’t hers. She loved peanut butter and chasing squirrels.. although she never caught one or hurt one. They were her friends.

-Amy R.

Sophie’s Story

“Sophie was an Anniversary gift to me. She was such a good girl from day 1.”

– Anita C.

Zoey’s Story

“Zoey came to us from one of my wife’s friends who bred their dachshund but couldn’t sell them all. They couldn’t keep the puppies so my wife called me and asked. I told her after some hesitation yes. Zoey immediately was affectionate and came to be a rock in our family. We will forever miss her.”

“We adopted Kiwi in 2020 after her original owner had passed and the family couldn’t house her and her “brother” any longer. Kiwi was an old, but loving kitty. We could tell that she had been well cared and was a lap cat as she was not as active as she probably once was. She was very independent and didn’t take crap from her other housemates. She had a great memory and always reminded us of her food starting an hour before dinner time. We will love and cherish our short time with her.”

– James C.

Kiwi’s Story

“We didn’t plan to adopt a senior cat in 2020, but when we heard their story, we couldn’t say “no.” We got a little over a year’s worth of time with her before we had to let her go back to her original mom who passed a couple of years ago. Just a reminder that all pets need love and compassion for the full extent of their lives, no matter how long that may be.”

• Rebecca C.

Shelton’s Story

Shelton was picked up in Whitesburg, KY, at 5 weeks of age and has been Mama’s boy from day one! He loved playing fetch as much as a Labrador Retriever. As he aged, things became difficult for him to keep up with me so he would lay on my feet to keep me in one spot. Such a happy boy to eat whatever anyone was eating and to go on walks. Shelton was named after my grandfather because when I picked him up, he looked like a little old man with a wrinkled face.

“Ernie was a love bug, he loved to snuggle up with you. His favorite toy in the world was a balled up paper towel, forget the high dollar toys…he would chase a balled up paper towel all day long. Run free Ernie, bat all the balled up paper towels you can! Until we see you again little buddy!“

–Tracey & Jonathan Burleson

Ernie’s Story

Bert & Ernie showed up on our doorstep as kittens..We had an existing group of outdoor kitties that we fed daily. One morning during the normal routine of feeding the outside kitties, up pop two little gray faces from our bushes. Our intention was to foster them and find them homes, but once we brought them in it was too late, we knew they were ours.

“Bailey you were a best friend to us all. You were the calm to our day, protector, best listener and secret keeper! You gave the best hugs and the cutest smile! We have so many memories and stories and you will live in forever in our hearts! We know you are running wild now big boy! We love you!”

– Jenna L.

Bailey’s Story

“We adopted Bailey from Sanctuary Rescue and the foster family named him Bailey so we kept his name. He loved all food especially pepperoni and Cheetos. Loved chasing squirrels and rabbits.“

“Our sweet little Maggie loved to cuddle inside a blanket like a little burrito. She loved her daily chicken snacks and could be quite demanding when it was time for one. She loved sitting out in the sun and sniffing the grass in our backyard. One of her favorite things to do was walking along the woodland trail behind our house with the other dogs. We miss her terribly..”

– Joe C.

Maggie’s Story

“Maggie was a rescue. I believe she came to us with her name.”

“Libbie DNA tested as 100% Australian Cattle Dog, but she never herded a thing in her life! She was much more content to hang out with ‘her mama’, curl up on a comfy bed or scope out a sock to carry around. She was a beautiful dog. Everywhere we traveled, people would comment that she was such a beautiful dog. I miss her sweet face. I miss her greeting me at the door with a toy in her mouth to welcome me home. I miss taking care of her as her health began to decline. I’m so glad she ‘crossed the bridge’ in the loving comfort of her home. She’ll always be in my heart.”

• Sherrye W.

Libbie’s Story

Libbie was picked up as a stray by Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC) at the intersection of Libbie & Broad Streets. After losing my first Australian Cattle Dog, I wanted to save another ACD. ACDs are a rarity in local shelters and Libbie came along just as I started looking at ACD rescue sites. Libbie was just meant to be “my girl”. Libbie was not a very confident dog, so I rest easier knowing my first Cattle Dog is looking after her now.

• Gary and Pam Carpenter

Daisy’s Story

We got her as a puppy from a breeder here in Virginia. She always loved fun, walks, good food and being together.

“He was my ride or die, partner. He loved chasing squirrels with his brother and catching popcorn in the air. Loved taking his brother’s new toys. Always made me smile when got home in the morning after a long shift.”

– Keith K.

Hotrod’s Story

“He started out as my daughter’s dog, and grandpa took over and wouldn’t let him leave. Hotrod was the perfect name for him. He was like a cat when it came to getting on top of everything, and he was fast.”

“Our beautiful Baby Boy, handsome to the max, lovable to all, will live forever in our hearts and memories. We “will” be together again, find us a good camp spot, Camp Kitty. We can’t wait to see you again.”

-Laura C.

Doodle’s Story

“He was adopted as a baby kitten with his sister, whom we named Gretel. They lived in FL then onto NE. In 2017 Hansel moved to VA to find a new home with his Granny and Grandpappy because he needed a bit more TLC. He was with our family his whole life. He was and always will be a “big part of the hearts” of the family from FL to NE and VA.”