Samson, 120 Pounds of Love
I can't believe it was seven years ago that I found my Samson in a shopping cart, abandoned at a local pet store. As often as I get angry at individuals who abandon animals, I am at least thankful that they take the time to bring them to an environment where it insures they'll be found by an animal lover. My little man was put into a dog bed which was put inside a cart and properly displayed with a beautiful blue collar (tags still attached). After having the store make announcements and assuring that he was most definitely abandoned, the store was going to call the humane society. I, however, had other plans... This was a store I rarely frequented. I felt my reasoning for being there that day, at that particular time, finding that little lost soul was somehow meant to happen. After vetting this ever growing gentle giant, I understood why someone who initially had the right intentions to love and care for him forever may have been so quickly deterred from believing that they could possibly (emotionally and/or financially) properly provide for this dog. At a very young age this rottie coon hound mix already had bad hips. When found he had severe bronchitis and unexplainable hot spots in the most unusual places. Those hot spots, it was later determined, were a result of his allergies to grass!! Who would have thunk it ~ and ~ of course his number one favorite thing in life was to barrel roll (all 120 pounds of him) in the grass like a horse out in the pasture :-) Today, seven years later, I not only still have that beautiful blue collar that was on him the day that he moved into our home, but I also have those multiple beautiful memories that Samson placed within my heart. Samson educated me on the fact that it is not the number of years you live here on this earth but it is the way each and every day of each and every one of those years that you are here, are lived, and he lived each day to the fullest. Knowing when the time had come to deter from unpreventable and/or insurmountable suffering was the hardest lesson I ever had to learn. Samson you will be forever be in our hearts. Janet Molloy and Family

Emmett ~ So Short A Life, So Great A Love
Emmett was a beautiful sweet cat who died too young of a random illness. Roy wrote, "I sat at the end of the table and looked him in the eyes and purred and repeated "good puss" as I watched him fade into the distance. It was a sad moment in time to see such a beautiful sweet animal die. I wanted him to know that he was loved as he went to the next place. What Emmett taught me. ~There is no such thing as too much affection. ~Be excited to see everyone when they walk in the door. ~When someone cries, hold them close. ~When someone hurts help them to not hurt. No matter what. ~Kiss people you love for no reason. Even on the nose. ~If someone is hungry, feed them. ~Purr really hard when you're happy, even though it hurts. ~Say goodbye if you have to, but only when you have to. ~ Roy C. "

Billy Bob the Coonhound
Hello Judy, I have attached this photo of my boy, Billy Bob! He was rescued from your shelter in October '07 at the PetSmart in Oviedo. At that time, we were told that he was brought to you from somewhere in Georgia; where he had been in bad shape. He was diagnosed with heartworms and had to endure three heartworm treatments in order to hopefully get him back into good health. The day we adopted him, he was in fragile condition; but we could see that he was a special dog and we had faith that he'd recover and would be a great companion to our family! Within his first few months in our home, Billy Bob put on weight and loved to play with our three boys and our other dog Bailey. He was a great choice and we love him very much! Unfortunately, it is with great sadness that I regret to inform you, that just this past weekend on Friday, August 29 around 5:20pm, Billy Bob suffered a massive stroke that took his life. It was VERY sudden and as we held him in our arms we hoped he would respond. He did not show any signs of discomfort during the day, or the days prior to his passing. We were fortunate enough and blessed to have him in our lives; even if it was for such a short time! When we took him to the Vet afterward he felt that, after telling him Billy Bob's history, the heartworm treatments might have damaged his heart too severally. It is unknown to his exact age or why he may have gone so sudden. While we morn his loss over these past few days, we would like to say that we are glad to see that over this past year and through the trials that Judy's Pet Rescue has endured, that God has blessed you with a second chance in giving so many rescues a second chance at a good home! You are a blessed person and those that work with you! Maybe we might be able to adopt another rescue from you in the future again. I believe that there are good dogs out there that need a good home like ours! Sincerely, Annette & Ryan Cobb

Bailey ~ Loved Beyone Measure
With nothing left in me but a completely shattered heart I am writing this......On Tuesday July 15, 2008 at 6:01am while holding his paw at the Vet ER The Love Of My Life took his last heart beat. For the past 13 years he has been my Best Friend, my Child, my biggest Confidant & certainly the Love of my Life. He has seen more tears shed, my joyful times, he has been with me since I was 19, so he has been to college, seen men and friends come & go, seen major heart break & has seen everything else possible. He was such a strong little man he beat all odds, at the age of 1 he was diagnosed with Epilepsy and has been on Phenobarbital his whole life. In 2007 he had to have TPLO surgery followed by another in 2008. It was finally the horrible cancer that got my baby out of nowhere. He didn't want to eat on a Friday and was in Heaven on Tuesday am. Bailey is a Tri-Color Blue Tick Beagle, which is very rare. He loved his back yards at his Gram's house & my house. He could spend hours doing the perimeter of both. Bailey loved the camera he would come out of nowhere if he heard one was out & would always pose. Bailey was always smiling and has always had such human expressions. When he walked in a room all eyes were on him by the humans & animals. He never demanded respect but always comanded respect. Bailey did everything his way. . .. he lived his life with such dignity & class. . ..it is only fitting that the perfect way to describe him would be with Frank Sinatra's "My Way". To My Baby Boy.... They say memories are golden well maybe that is true. I never wanted memories, I only wanted you. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill. I LOVE YOU BAILEY!!! Mommy WILL always love you little man! ~ Kimberly DeWolf

Abner the Foster Cat
I've lost track a long time back as to how many animals I have fostered over the years. I somehow became the one who would take in the really sick ones or the ones that just needed that extra time and attention. Although I have memories of most all of our extended four legged family members who have each resided with me and my family from time to time, I am at a loss as to why (or how) one particular foster (over another) impacts me in such a different, deep and devastating way... That is the instance with Abner; one of my feline fosters whom silently passed over in his sleep while trying to battle an illness to which even the rescue vets could not identify. Up until his final hours, he was still loving, caring and outwardingly expressing his gratitude for the time, attention and love that we/he had shared. Abner came to us back in early May while on the brink of having to be euthanized by Animal Services. Abner had such severe upper respitory that Animal Services was not in a position to treat him for the illness, thus the reason they contacted PRBJ to offer him a second chance at life. Abner had to fight and he fought hard. I know it is all in retrospect now, however, I sat here earlier tonight and wondered if an injustice occurred when not allowed back in May to pass with the assistance of Animal Services BUT THEN tears come to my eyes truly out of my fondness for this particular feline. I cannot even imagine my life without having had the opportunity for Abner to make his mark in my memories. Abner would not have had the opportunity to touch my life in the way that he did and vica versa. I was not the only foster to have had the benefit of being touched by Abner's tenderness. Abner continued to climb an upward path; however, it has since been understood that what Abner did achieve was stable health, not good health. Let me tell you, however, Abner was fine with that ~ he found that fine line in life ~ and enjoyed every day while being with us. Abner had enough character to work his way into multiple hearts (both within and outside the walls of PRBJ). No one was bonded with Abner because of his illness, the bond was developed due to a mutual understanding (my presence makes you happy and your presence makes me happy). Even though I did not, I believe now that Abner knew last night when he said good night that his time was upon him. He made it a point to eat really well and I realize now what that strong rub up against my body ~ extra hard ~ really meant. His soft, content purr will remain in my head and in my heart forever as I do believe it was his way of saying good bye AND thank you, thank you for some of the best days of his life. Abner was content, happy, well loved and was able to receive in return that of which he shared and offered to so may others on the every day. Although his internal clock was ready to stop, his heart was not, as his heart was big and his heart was full. Thanks to him, my heart is now big and will from here on out remain full, as Abner reminds me of why it is we rescue. His life with us may not have been long BUT his life with us was long enough for me to know that he was truly rescued ~ mind, heart and soul. Rest in peace Dear Abner and know that you touched many, many hearts in your time with us... ~ Janet M.