Murphy the Traveller
Murphy is probably one of the best travelled cats. He was originally a California cat when he adopted me. But he has lived in Michigan, London, England & in New Zealand before moving to Florida. Murphy is probably the most well adjusted cats I've ever had. Nothing ever fazed him. Whether it was 6 months in quarantine or being put on a plane. He never held a grudge like some animals can do when they are displeased with you. He was just always happy. For half of his life he was the 2nd cat, the beta cat, but after that cat, Tigger, wandered off in NZ, Murphy's personality really blossomed. He became the ultimate "momma's boy". He loved having balls thrown to him so that he could run up & down the hallway, more often racing the balls as opposed to catching them & he demanded at least 20 minutes of this play a day & if I got busy or forgot, he would remind me by either climbing onto the wine cabinet to paw at the hanging pictures or onto the fridge to paw at the light covers. Knowing of course that I would respond by throwing his balls down the hall. He loved boxes & my make up brush, he would play & groom that until his face was pink. He slept on my pillow next to my head or with his head on my stomach. 2 years ago he started having dental problems & it would be painful to eat without monthly cortizone shots. Just recently things were getting worse & we discovered that he has a very aggressive form of oral squamous cell carcinoma. So I have had to put him down. He was a sweet, beautiful, funny & fun little guy. I will miss him enormously. ~Laura

Mystic the 19th Level Monk
Just over 11 years ago we adopted a beautiful kitten from you Judy for our son Theo. You had named him Mystic, and mystic he truly was. Everyone who met him fell in love with him for he was no ordinary cat, our boys often called him the "19th level monk". Mystic quickly took charge of our home and ruled the three dogs and later the other cat we rescued with a firm paw. He traveled across the country with us and made friends everywhere he went. Sadly this past Friday we lost him. Our lives will never be the same without him but we are grateful for the time we had. Mystic had a great life surrounded by a people who loved him thanks to you. Please know that the crusade you are on is one that is pure of heart and so important to our 4 legged friends. Thank you for your caring heart. I am sure you do not hear it enough. God bless you and above all know your life's work is appreciated! ~ The Melnyk Family

Whiskey The Sensitive PitBull
Whiskey was a young pitbull who came to us all beaten up, having been used as a bait dog. You can read his full story if you search our site for "Whiskey". He was fostered by Janet and, while in her care, he showed an amazing sensitivity ~ he could detect when her son was going to have a seizure and would lie next to him and, for some reason, the seizure would be less severe. Needless to say, Janet adopted him. Whiskey had a chronic heart condition that we all knew would shorten his life. Almost two years to the day that he was adopted, he passed away. The following is the letter Janet sent: "Judy and Michelle ~ I just wanted to let the two of you know that Whiskey passed away this weekend. Whiskey had a heart attack while doing what he loved best, running around in the back yard and playing with the other dogs. When it was time to come in, all the others came to the door but not Whiskey. The most I can be happy about is that he did not suffer; it happened so very quick and so suddenly. Little did I know the night before when giving him his bath in my roman tub that I was grooming him to go meet his maker. He was, as always, looking sharp (and smelling good) with both his ears and nails cleaned and trimmed!! Honestly, I would have never predicated that it was going to be his time as he really seemed to be in such good spirits more so of late than in times in the past. Of course, we all knew that his time with us was going to be limited due to his heart issues; however, up until the day he passed he was still being Whiskey ~ going strong, having fun and making us laugh! It, of course, has been tremendously hard on Niall. His 'seizure dog' held a very special place in his heart (as all of ours). I THANK YOU BOTH for allowing us the time we had with Whiskey. I know when he came into the rescue he became very special to everyone and both myself and my family were truly honored that you allowed us the time with Whiskey and allowed each of our lives to be touched and impacted by him. He was taken up to Janis at Tuskawilla Oaks since it was too her time, attention and dedication to this beautiful soul that allowed us to have him as part of our lives. He will be cremated and returned to us here to remain a part of the family. Okay ~ yes I'm crying now ~ so I have to go... Sorry I didn't personally call but I knew I couldn't make it through a phone conversation without becoming an emotional babbling fool... Respectfully, Janet"

Cloe
Friendship is an important part of life for humans and animals, and this weekend I learned how important it is to dogs. I've opened my home to resucue dogs and cats for a number of years now. Seven years ago my husband and I adopted Cleo from Pet Rescue by Judy in Oviedo. We had just lost one of our three dogs, and after a few months felt ready to open our hearts again. We went to Petsmart in Oviedo for our bi-weekly food trip, and there in a kennel, was Cleo. Her first owner was there, but moving to Brazil. She wanted to make sure Cleo, who was eight years old, was well tended. They called her "an impossible adoption" because of her age. We fell in love with Cleo, and adopted her...or she chose us, I'm still not sure. We brought her home to our smaller dogs, a rather large Shih Tzu named Trapper and a very timid Lhasa named Flower. We also had four cats that she found very tempting! Three years ago we adopted a fourth dog, a daschund/chihuahua mix named Little Cindy Lou Who. Well, Trapper was 17 1/2 when I had to put him down a year and a half ago and we've lost three cats since Cleo came to us. That left Cleo, Cindy, and Flower. Cleo developed Cushings Disease (was treated for over four years for it), and Flower had a heart murmur. They were both on Meds. Cleo was 15, and had begun to fade. It's been weeks of painful watching and negotiating with God...but we finally agreed to make the appointment to put her down. As soon as we got off the phone call with the Vet this past Friday evening, my little timid Flower...who had come to love Cleo sooooo much, went into cardiac arrest. She died as we pulled up to the vets office, she was only twelve and a half. All three had stopped eating well a few days before. Both Cleo and Flower refused their meds for a day and a half. Cream cheese or not, they didn't want it. We kept the appointment for Cleo yesterday, because it was the right thing to do for her. There is no doubt in my mind that Flower knew her friend was dying, and just didn't want to be without her. Now they are together, running and playing, and waiting for Mommy together. The house is very, very empty without them in spite of having ten cats, one dog, and three parrots. Those two sweet girls were a HUGE part of my life and I will miss them always. I've been in contact with Cleo's first mother on Facebook...and it's been a comfort to hear about Cleo the puppy!

Pierre
Today Nov. 3,2009 was a very sad day as our little light shined for the last time.He was one of the most loving and sweet dogs i have ever owned.He had lived a very hard life and when i saw his picture on Pet rescue by Judy website i knew i had to have him.I had lost my own pet a few months before and when i saw this sweet picture i knew i had to have him.We filled out the application and a few days later received the call that we could come and meet him.I walked into the petco and when i saw him i fell in love all over again.He had a few health issues and that made me love him even more.On Dec.24,2008 he broke his right paw and when we took him to the vet and they xrayed it they told me he had cancer in the leg and either i needed to amputate the leg or put him to sleep.I did neither.I did not give him very much of the pain medicine and he eventually got better.He never used the leg again but it did not slow him down.Finally this morning he went out and pottied and then laid down and basically went to sleep and is now in a much better place. I can never thank Judy enough for allowing me to be loved by such a sweet dog.He will be greatly missed by everyone that met him. He is my little star looking down at me and smiling.Goodbye my " P" and i will always love you!!Love, your own mom