The greatness of a nation and its moral progress may be judged by the way its animals are treated -

The above quote is by Mahatma Gandhi. 

This picture was taken 1 week before we had to let Spencer go.

In loving memory of our Spencer who we love so much. Spencer will be greatly missed and be in our hearts forever. Spencer is a beloved creation of our Lord and it is with great sorrow but even greater faith that we release him to God's loving care. Spencer was 14 yrs and 8 mths old when he went to heaven. He had been diagnosed with Cushings Disease when he was only 8 - we were told that we would be lucky to have him another 2 to 3 years. The vet put him on lysodren and we had kidney values tested every 3 months.  We held our breath as we awaited the results each and evey time.  He was so dignified - he  never once complained at having to be poked at and stuck with a needle, but we never let him go alone, we were with him each and every time blood was drawn - at every single hospital and every single vet - I think he knew we were only trying to keep him as well  as possible - he always handed his paw to the vet to take his blood.  He was first diagnosed in Lowell, MA and I think it was because of the intelligence of the staff and vet there that we caught it so early.  We had the diagnosis confirmed at Angell- Memorial in Boston.  The vets there set up the protocol that would keep Spencer alive for much longer than was anticipated.  He surprised everyone by living life to his fullest - never acting sick or in need of the special care we needed to give him.  He stayed with us for 6 1/2 more years before  the kidney disease caused by Cushings finally caught up with him - the vet told us that if he were human he would have been on dialysis - he was at 93% kidney failure.  When the dymentia set in -- we didn't know how to help him - he would walk in circles and seem so lost and just so weary - that's when we knew we had to let him go.  It was so hard to say goodbye but I think the real Spencer had already gone.  We feel very blessed to have been lucky enough to have him in our lives. We know our angel is back in heaven - and we thank God for letting us borrow him for a little while.He was truly an amazing boy who our friends christened "King". We look to the day when we will be together again.

A bright , sensitive compassionate boy

Spencer was a lab/chow mix who we adopted at 10wks. From the very first day he arrived in our home we knew he was special. He was potty trained in 1 day and passed puppy kindergarten with flying colors. He never begged for food and would spit out a piece of steak if he wasn't hungry. He was such a gift - the very best gift God could ever have given us - I know he's safe and well at home in heaven but I still miss him every minute of every day.

My Dear Little Boy - I went walking on your favorite trails at Tom Sawyer State Park here in Louisville today. It was raining but no thunder to scare you. I visited all your favorite places and watering holes but it just wasn't the same. I looked for you on the paths, in the woods and even in the water but you were no where to be found. I talked to you tho' and hopefully you heard me thru my tears - I miss you so much and don't know what to do without you. But I am forever grateful that you were with me for awhile and that you are no longer suffering. I really don't know why I was so fortunate to have you and your unconditional love and loyalty but I will forever thank God.

I loved having Spencer near - but he always had a mind of his own. He would rarely jump on the furniture or on the beds. I would have to beg him to join me - he'd stay for awhile but always returned to his own space - which was anywhere in the house he wanted to lay - he had his own doggy beds in every room. Sometimes I would lay next to him to rub his belly and when he had enough he would just get up and walk away - I guess he always knew that anytime he needed love and attention he would always have it.

Spencer never chewed anything in the house that was not his. The box behind him was full of toys and stuffed animals we could never resist buying for him. Friends often commented that he had more toys than most children. He would pick 1 stuffed animal and that was the one he played with for the day. When he got tired of a certain one he would chew out one of its eyes and then not play with it again. He knew his own mind better than most people do.

Always alert and interested

Spencer was such a peaceful dog - he never complained - never begged for food or affection or anything. I hope this means that he was very secure in our love and knew we would always provide for his every need. He would sometimes just stand over his empty water bowl and stare at it -or stand by the door to be let out - he would never bark, he'd just stand there and wait and once we realized where he was we would take care of  him.  So many times we told him to just bark and we'd come right away, but I guess he knew we'd eventually come and take care of whatever it was he needed - and he was right. He certainly had us wrapped around his paws!!!

Middle of the back seat - he liked helping to drive

Spencer was not a dog that enjoyed car rides. But given the choice of staying home or going out in the car he always chose the car. He hated the ride to grandmas house in Strabane, Pa but he loved being there. Grandma loved him so much - when we visited her he would stay by her side - knowing that she enjoyed and needed his company. He would sit in her yard for hours - never tied up - just keeping watch and making her feel safe. When I would check on him, I would ask him if he wanted to come in or if he needed some water - he would just look at me and then turn around to continue his watch.  Once in awhile he would bark - but never chase after anyone who walked by her house - he just wanted to let her know that someone was out there and that he was keeping her safe.