Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass,
his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

- author unknown
 

"A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered."
- Lacie Petitto
 

Making the decision to say goodbye can be very difficult.
Please contact us or click here for information on euthanasia and cremation services.

The APF reserves the right to edit submissions for space or content.

Arthur H. Schaeffer,  1927 - 2008

The APF lost one of its volunteers - Arthur Schaeffer - this past June.

Arthur, who became a volunteer just this past January, was a "Greeter" who welcomed patrons who
visited the shelter. Arthur had plenty of experience with the public, having been a security guard
at Ellis Hospital until 2006. Before that, he worked as a transportation manager for several companies.

Each time Arthur came in to volunteer, he mentioned how much he loved spending time at the shelter.
He always had a story to tell about the pets he once had, his family, or his love of fishing and crafting.
Arthur was eager to adopt a cat, but knew he had to wait until he was feeling better before he could.
Unfortunately, he was never able to adopt. However, Arthur is now on the other side of Rainbow Bridge
with all of his animal friends.

 

Luna Kalweit, 1998 - 2008

After several years of campaigning, my daughter finally convinced me that our family wasn’t complete without a dog, so we visited the animal shelter in August 1999. After meeting a couple of prospective adoptees, the shelter employee helping us asked if we would mind holding off on making a decision until we met one of the dogs that was in recovery from just having been spayed.  We agreed to return the next day.   

When we got there, we were introduced to the most pitiful-looking dog, a boxer so thin you could see all of her ribs.  The employee said she had been neglected but, in spite of the neglect, her spirit wasn’t broken.  My daughter fell in love with Luna, the boxer, and we brought her home.

It took a while but Luna eventually learned to trust us.  We gave her food, shelter, and love.  She gave us so much more. She protected us from squirrels and mailmen. She took us for walks. She made us laugh when she would “talk nice” when she really wanted something. She brought us joy when she would run “happy laps” around the garage or leap like a deer over the flower bed.  And she always, always kept us company. 

When we learned in March that Luna had cancer, we were crushed.  For a number of reasons, we opted not to pursue chemotherapy for her but committed ourselves to seeing that she had the best possible life for whatever time she had left. She did well for several weeks but when it became apparent that she had started to suffer, we knew we had no choice but to let her go.  So, in our backyard, in the shade of the maple tree with a heavenly breeze blowing and my daughter by her side, Luna was put to rest.

We miss her so very much but she’ll forever be a part of us because we’ll always remember how that pitiful-looking dog with the strong spirit enriched our lives beyond measure.
 

Sheena DeCaprio, 1996 - 2008

My beautiful, sweet, little girl came to me on my birthday in 1996. She was 3½ months old and I officially named her Helena's Sheena of Coldbrook. Although through the years she answered to many names, including: Sheena, Sheena Beana, Bean, Beanie Baby, Lou-Lou Bean, and My Good Girl. Sheena was an almost all black pure bred German Shepherd with golden brown eyes and just a little bit of blonde running up her paws from between her toes. I used to call them her stripes. I loved many things about Sheena, including her big paws and her stripes. Sheena looked like an exotic black wolf to most people, but her personality was that of a lamb. She was always gentle and sweet to everyone. Sheena's favorite pastimes were to lay her big fluffy head in her Mom's and Grand Mom’s lap and have her head pet and neck rubbed, chase squirrels along the fence, bark at the dogs next door, look out the front window on mail man patrol, catch snowballs and toys in the air, play "I'm Chasing You, Now You’re Chasing Me" in the backyard, eat biscuits and graham crackers, have her paws held through morning prayers, and to squeak her stuffed toys around the house and backyard. Sheena had many toys and treated them all very gently, but her favorite toy was a stuffed chicken, named "Chicky." Sheena had "Chicky" ever since she was a puppy and carried him all around the house and outside with her, and slept with him at night.

On April 16th, 2008, my Sheena walked over the Rainbow Bridge into the loving open arms of our Lord. Thank you God, for gracing my life with Sheena for 11 years and 10½ months. I celebrate her life today and I cherish the memories that I have of her and all of the good times that we had together. I'll always remember her kisses. Thank you Dr. Michelle Singer DVM, of Glenville Veterinary Clinic, for all of the years of your expert care that made it possible for Sheena to be with me as long as she was. And most of all thank you Sheena for all of the years of love and devotion that you gave me. Sheena, I'll hold you in my heart for as long as I am on this earth, and when I get to heaven I'll hold you in my arms again. You're "My Good Girl".

Sheena is survived by her canine companion and love of her life "Bumper," her Mother Helena DeCaprio, Grandmother Carmela DeCaprio, close friend MaryAnn Kosek, and many other relatives and friends.

Donations in the memory of Sheena DeCaprio may be sent to the APF, 53 Maple Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302. You may also call Mary at 374-3944 ext 114. Please be sure to indicate that your donation is in Sheena's memory.

We dedicate this page to Sheena, the beautiful and special soul who inspired this tribute. While Sheena is no longer on this earth, it is the hope of all whose lives she touched that she may play a part in saving the lives of other animals.