Sometimes you just can’t stop the tears from falling; grief is the price we pay for love.
At 3:30 am on March 30, our little Teddy gained his Angel wings. He passed peacefully with Sanctuary mom and all his doggie friends by his side. Teddy left this earth the same way he lived his life here in Sanctuary – on his own terms, with a smile on his face.
Teddy was a very special, old soul who stole the hearts of many – even those he never met in person; many who follow us and read our updates regularly. This tiny 4-pound ragamuffin has left a gaping hole in the hearts of many.
He was surrendered to a shelter in the most horrible medical condition in July of 2021 and we just could not turn down the urgent plea for help. Teddy was one of the happiest, sweetest, most gentle boys ever and we will never be able to understand how anyone could have neglected him so badly and then tossed him away. We hoped we could help him heal so he could have a second chance to live and enjoy the golden years he deserved – and boy did he!
While every precious soul that enters our Sanctuary doors is special, they are all one of a kind. Teddy loved everyone with his whole heart; he was by far the most grateful dog we have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and he truly showed us his gratitude for everything.
Teddy donned a variety of hairstyles during his time here at Paws Give Me Purpose; from a shelter shave down to an unruly mop and everything else in between. He was not a fan of being groomed, and would often run away mid hair cut; it would take days just to get his look complete. He seemed to prefer the messy look, and we really didn’t mind at all as long as he way happy and comfortable.
He loved food, more especially snacks, cuddling with his doggie friends, and laying on his people. There was no denying him anything, he was spoiled as much as possible. He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it, and would often claim people or his space letting the other dogs know it was his. He wasn’t a fan of sharing, but he did it anyway. He was always happy – and that made everything we go through here everyday even more worth it.
Teddy had many medical issues, but to look at him you saw only his zest for life; nothing ever seemed to bother him. There were many moments when we thought his time was near, but he always rallied and fought his way back, he just hadn’t finished his journey.
We literally could write a book about our little mop and his Sanctuary adventures. In his final week here at the Sanctuary, many of his doggie friends sensed just like we did that this time he was getting ready to leave us. He had begun eating much less, suddenly lost use of his back legs, and was unable to get up on his own anymore. Through all of it he was mentally still sharp as a tack and didn’t miss a thing! He called out to us when he wanted to eat, when he wanted to drink, and when he wanted a fresh blanket. His doggie friends took turns climbing into bed with him and snuggling him. He spent time snuggling with his favorite volunteers; a smile plastered on his face as if to say I love you, I’m okay, thank you for coming to say goodbye.
Teddy’s passing was so quiet and peaceful, and just like everything else, he did he did it when he was ready. And then that moment came when Teddy left the building; the howling of all the Sanctuary residents – it is a sound that lives in your heart and mind forever when you hear it. The final goodbye – and the tears here have not stopped falling.
You will always live on in our hearts Teddy– we were blessed to have known you! You will forever be a part of us and live on in our hearts here at Paws Give Me Purpose.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Chloe’s Fospice Friends who awarded us a grant to help with Teddy’s care. Your generous grant covered his medications, homeopathic remedies, and supplements which helped keep him comfortable so he could enjoy his life to the fullest.
To all of our followers and supporters, thank you for caring and for being a support to us during this difficult time. We hope we have been able to give you a taste of what we do here for special souls like Teddy, see the legacy he left behind and understand why the work we do here is so rewarding and so important – his life mattered.
Teddy July 7, 2008 – March 30, 2023