Baja_memory

Baja came to us not long after we opened in 2000. He was an owner surrender (owner lost
his house). He was a gentle giant with a gorgeous sable coat and a beautiful soft woo.
When we would rub his tummy or brush him out he would purr. It was a lovely sound. My
husband (Carol's) and I were in the process of trying to figure out where we could put
another outdoor pen in our yard (we already had a young female Mal). About that time
Baja's owner found a place to live and Baja got to go back "home".

A year later we get another call. His owner needed to surrender him back to us again due to
another move. We were glad to see Baja again but hated to see his owner giving him up and
Baja not understanding why.

We had him available for adoption for several years and we were at a total loss as to why
we never found a home for him (by this point my female had no interest in sharing her house
with another dog). People loved him but no one wanted him. As time went on Baja's hips
started giving him trouble. We thought we were going to lose Baja last fall (2006) but he
suddenly perked back up and he went through the winter with no problems. April rolled
around and he was getting pretty stiff but he still ate and drank normally. By early June it
became obvious that we would be letting him go soon. On June 16th I was working on the
building. Baja was out in the big pen by the new kennel. Shirley discovered Baja had been
soiling in his dog house. We could see in Baja's eyes the time had come. Baja was kind
enough to blow his beautiful coat one last time. I spent 2 hours with him under the aspen
tree just brushing him and letting him know he would be missed very much. We have a
friend/volunteer that is licensed to perform on-site euthanasia and Shirley gave her a call
letting her know it was time to release Baja from his pain. Shirley and I held Baja as the
injection was administered. Baja woo'd and purred one last time, and then he slipped slowly
away to join other Golden Years alumni at the Rainbow Bridge. The weather was beautiful
and there was a gentle breeze. It was the most perfect way to say goodbye to our gentle
giant. I had always been afraid that I would not be able to say goodbye to Baja as I live an
hour away from the rescue. God gave me a very special gift that day by allowing me time to
brush and hug Baja and say a proper goodbye.

Baja now runs free with no pain. He has been buried at Golden Years not far from where we
have Nanook buried. He will live on in all of the felted and spun items made from that
gorgeous red fur.

Godspeed Baja. Wear your silver harness with pride.

Shirley:

His legs were tired, he could not stand.

He could not make it outside.

We placed him underneath the shady trees.

We laid him on his side.

Carol:

I sat there as I brushed him

And thought about his pain.

His final hours would know a loving touch.

We told him we were so glad came.

Shirley & Carol: