In Memory of those I have loved who have left a warm place in my heart

Sweetie- Dalmatian Mix  2001 – 2020

Oh no – it happened again. Poor Sweetie. She was found in a field starving and lived a couple weeks at the Humane Society. She kept getting picked over for those small fuzzy cute puppies. Pat and Sweetie fell in love – end of story. Benny has also fallen in love with her since she has joined the Walter Family.

Sweetie’s Story

Nikki – The Springer Mix Puppy 2005 – 2020

We pulled Nikki from a high kill shelter in Athens OH in Mid March of 2005. The purpose was to save her life and send her to rescue. Since most of the rescue fosters were full, we ended up fostering her. She is still with us and feels this is home.

Nikki’s Story Page

Fritz & Sluggo – The Digger Brothers 2005 – 2018

Fritz fell out of his kennel at the shelter and fractured his rear leg. He was going to be put down since the shelter does not have money to treat injured animals. I received an email and we decided to help Fritz. He came from a litter of 6 puppies. Sluggo, his brother, had infected feet and could not walk properly. So we brought them both home to take care of them. There is very little call for black hound dog mixes at the shelter, so
we have decided to keep them.

The Brothers Story Page

Two Little Pups – about the digger Brothers

2002 – 2017 Charlie – The Springer Spaniel

Lived at the Humane Society for three weeks and got very sick with Kennel Cough. We took him to the vet, since the shelter has little medicine, and then brought him home to get well. He loves living with the other 10 dogs. He was supposed to go to rescue – but he already feels that he is part of the family. He is learning to be a house dog. He thinks it is great fun being in a house. He has a wonderful personality.

Charlie’s Story Page

2001 – 2013 Millie – the Fox Terrier-Hunting Dog

Lived at the Humane Society for one night. Became member number 8 of the Walter Pack! Wants to become a mechanic – see photo of Millie using a wrench – very talented.

Millie’s Story Page

2001 – 2013 Sparky – Border Collie

Sparky was very sick and needed medical care which the shelter could not give him.. He is now well and a very lovable dog. He is learning how to live in a house and house manners. He is a very beautiful dog with a beautiful soul.

Sparky’s Story

2001-2011 Robbie – The Blind Sheltie

Robbie has joined the Walter household. He was at the shelter frozen in fear after he was picked up as a stray. He is settling in and learning many new commands. He can walk on a leash and jump in and out of the car without any help. He is a very smart little guy. To our great surprise, he seems to enjoy living with 11 other dogs and has learned to live with 3 cats. He is a real sweetie and a joy to be around. He always has a smile on his face. His favorite game is playing tag in the yard, running full speed with Sweetie.

More About Robbie

2004-2011 Katie – The Crippled Aussie

Katie has joined the Walter doggie family, she makes it a bakers dozen! Pat worked at the local shelter as an assistant manager for a few months and wanted to save poor little Katie. She looked like she was hit by a car. We have found out since, she was born crippled and will unfortunately stay that way. The orthopedic vets can not perform any fancy operations to make her walk like a normal dog. But she still enjoys life hopping around and joyfully playing.

Katie’s Story Page

1995-2010 Lucky – The Aussie

Lucky was a foster with us about 1 1/2 years ago when he was turned into our local shelter. He found a home and in the summer of 2004, his family was no longer able to keep him. So he is back with us again. We are still trying to find him a new home, but he thinks he belongs here by now. So we will include him in our family doggie album.

1997 – 2010 Buddy – Collie Mix

Found in the middle of Front Street trying to direct traffic when he was six months old. Number 5 of the Walter Pack. Known better as the “Love Child” since his birthday is about February 14 and lives up to his name. Another Collie sweetie!

Buddy’s Story

? – 2008 Molly – The Border Collie

Resident of the Humane Society for several weeks. Number 7 of the Walter Pack. What a sweetie – no nicer dog in the world!

Molly’s Story

1999 – 2008 PJ – The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The one dog Pat actually bought because she wanted to know what the dog would look like when she grew up. Number 6 of the Walter Pack. Tries to herd the rest around – doesn’t work with a real Border Collie, a wanna be Border Collie, one mixed Collie and a Fox Terrier Mix who is boss of everyone.

PJ’s Story

1993 – 2009 Pepper – Golden Irish Setter Mix

Number 4 of the Walter Pack. Came to live with her brother and sister 1 1/2 years after they lived with Pat. She always came over to visit, so her Mom decided she really wanted to live with us and allowed her to choose.

1993 – 2007 Kelley – Golden Hound Mix

Number 1 of the Walter Pack The first chosen from the box of puppies. Yes – the four are all definitely related and had the same Mom. As to the Fathers – a few must have been involved due to the variety of the family!

1993 – 2006 Clancy – Golden Irish Setter Mix

Number 3 of the Walter Pack. Clancy and his four other brothers and sisters were found in a box by the road out in the country by Pat’s neighbor. Of course, a few of the puppies had to come live at Pat’s house. Clancy and Pepper appear to be twins, at least to us.

1993 – 2005 Blackie – Irish Setter Mix

Number 2 of the Walter Pack. Sister to Clancy, Pepper and Kelley. Found in that same box out in the country. A very talkative Irish Setter Mix.

Poor Little Pup

Poor little pup
dumped at night
that s enough to
cause some fright.
Left in a run
behind the pound
waiting for someone
to come around…
Spent 3 days
in a concrete run
thought for sure
her life was done.
Thanks to rescue –
people who cared
her little life
was finally spared.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2005

Benny

I lived at the shelter
I waited and hoped
that soon I’d be adopted
by some really nice folk.
The months went on
I would whine and cry
the end was near
soon I would die.
I tried to look cute
I would bark and dance
no one noticed
not even a glance.
I made a friend
months ago
she watched and waited
but the going was slow.
Finally at last
she had to say
I’ll take him home
there’s no other way.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2001

Molly

We don’t know how old she is
or where she was born.
One ear has been injured
her teeth quite worn.
Her heart consumes her total being
the love and joy you can’t help seeing.
She nuzzles and licks, hugs and talks
goes absolutely crazy if you speak of walks.
She lived at the shelter in a dirty old cage
the lonely conditions brought no rage.
She shares her love and brings us joy
she needs nothing more – not even a toy!

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2002

Buddy

Funny long nose
deep brown eyes
raises his paw
almost looks wise.
Strange little ears
not up not down
a kind loving critter
always around.
Found in the street
clear to see
no tag no collar
he belongs to me.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2001

Sweetie

Curled in my lap
our afternoon nap
a little ball of fur
happy and sure.
Weeks ago
you wouldn’t know
a little lost soul
no where to go.
Alone at night
no one in sight
a frightened little puppy
not feeling lucky.
They took her to the pound
she thought she was found
but no one choose her
wrong color fur.
She hugged and kissed
but seem to miss
finding a home
a place to roam.
But soon came a friend
someone that could bend
feeling love in her heart
they just couldn’t part.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2002

Charlie

The black and white spaniel
Charlie, Chuck or Chas
he’s always smiling
it’s a little grin that he has.
A stray at large
tossed in a truck
ends up at the shelter
not good luck.
He’s so much trouble
barking and complaining
the staff ignores him
only a few days remaining.
No one cares
he’s coughing and sick
tries to look cute
but he’s no ones pick.
He caught Pat’s eye
gave big wet kisses
he really worked hard
to convey his wishes.
On the road to recovery
he went to the vet
soon a member of the family
she’s glad they met.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2002

She Never Came Home

Adopted in heart and mind alone
because she really
never came home.
Taken from the shelter
sick and thin
trying to get her well again.
Time at the vets
a few visits alone, a week went by
but she never came home.
They treated and bathed her
the sad eyes shone
but she really never ever came home.
Her time was up, she wasn’t alone
but she really never got to come home.

A tribute to Sadie who we only knew one week

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2002

Good Bye Friend

Memories
linger in thought.
Love
still warms the heart.
Joy
connects the past.
Tears
blur the present.
Time
promises hope for the future.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 2002

Pat, Millie & Benny