Page Title

White Silence

BRONSON
May 18, 1996 - December 22, 2005

I sat in white silence, my heart weighed like stone,
yet deep down inside I wasn't alone.

The dogs all around me perceived my one thought...
his earthwalk is over, yet grieve for him not.

His presence and grace and been cherished by all...
his quiet demeanor, how he gave life his all.

This dog was sure one with a magnetic soul.
I'm humbled to have shared a unique common goal.

Our paths no doubt crossed for many a reason.
He shared gentle wisdom, whatever the season.

He showed me the value of slowing the pace...
time to smell flowers, ignore life's fast race.

I strived to learn lessons he offered each day.
He shared many gifts yet asked for no pay.

He always discovered what most would pass by,
for not much to Bronson escaped his keen eye.

A temperament docile and kind with all others,
watchful yet peaceful, with each of his brothers.

A true Mal ambassador, wise as they come...
His next walk is sure to bring joy to someone.

It's time to let go of magnificence, pride.
I must let him onwards... the grief will subside.

I sit in white silence, the trees frozen still.
I miss him already yet my mind is tranquil.

As he passed with the speed of a wind oh so strong,
another was waiting to lead him along.

Be free my dear Bronson... my heart cannot talk.
White silence is lifting... enjoy your next walk.

Diana
December 2005

Bronson was diagnosed back in late September with
osteosarcoma (bone cancer, like Terry Fox had... one
of the most aggressive and painful cancers known).
Despite efforts to treat him alternatively with a "Rife"
machine (light therapy), which eased the pain
considerably (obvious through his attitude, demeanor,
energy level, appetite, etc.) the cancer had spread
into his lungs (evident on the x-rays), so amputation of
the cancerous right hind leg was ruled out...even
though he had showed great agility, balance and
ability to get around on 3 legs...

I drove through teary eyes up to Sharon Kopinak's,
and she "helped him cross over"... I have a beautiful
cedar urn, with his photo and inscription on it...

BRONSON
May 18, 1996 - December 22, 2005

Magnificent, Kind, Well Respected...
"An ambassador of the Alaskan Malamute"

Bronson was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. I feel so
fortunate to have had him in my life, even for such a
short time. He allowed me to believe perfect dogs
really do exist...

Love Diana

My Buddy Big Maxx – Born ? - April 8th. 2004.

It is with the deepest sadness that I am writing
this farewell to Big Maxx. It is with a broken heart
that I said farewell today, to you my buddy, Big
Maxx, as the cancer that invaded your body
almost two years ago forced me to stop the
suffering. My sadness and pain is extremely deep
as when I rescued Big Maxx in 2002, I made him a
promise that I would help him and he would never
be sent to the pound again as now he was truly
saved to enjoy a wonderful life. Little did I know
how short that time would be once I discovered
his cancer and that I would fail in my attempt to
save him. For this Big Maxx I am truly sorry and I
will live with the guilt of this until I get to see you
again on the other side at the Rainbow Bridge
when it is my turn to cross over.

Although our time together was very short Big
Maxx, I will forever be grateful that our paths
crossed. I hope you know how much joy and
happiness you brought to your adopted family
and me. Although I moved you into a house with
five rescue cats, you immediately accepted all of
them as if they were the family you had grown up
with. I never once saw you show the slightest
aggression towards any of them. In fact quite the
opposite always playing with all of them as they
scurried up and down the hallway. Gently licking
the ones you caught as if they were your own. You
enriched not only my life but all of theirs as well so
I know that it is with very heavy hearts that
Puddles, Lil Ninja, Lucky, TC and especially
Prince Charles with whom you had an
extraordinary special bonding, said their farewells
to you today. All of our lives have been changed
forever especially Prince Charles who will miss
never again meeting you at the front door each
time we came home and then proceed to escort
you down the hallway as if he was saying
“Welcome home Big Maxx – where have you been I
missed you’. In response you would lick him for
as long as he would let you as if assuring him that
you were glad to be home. I will especially miss
your persistent little reminders as you gently
howled if I forgot to let you in from the yard or as
soon as you realized that I was preparing your
dinner you would get so excited and dance around
the kitchen nudging me as if to say ‘Come on old
man I am hungry.’ Most of all I will miss how
happy you were when I picked up my keys to go
out. You would dance up and down the hallway
howling as if to let everyone know that you were
going out to run in your favourite park. Big Maxx
you never asked for much and I envy how happy
and content you were with just the simple things in
life. For all your unconditional love, kindness and
happiness that you gave all of us, we will be
eternally thankful.

I hope that you are resting peacefully now free at
last from the terrible cancer that robbed you from
us well before your time. I miss you dearly Big
Maxx and I made you a final promise as I held,
kissed and cradled you for the last time and this
one I will keep till the day we meet again, you will
be in my heart and thoughts every day for the rest
of my life. So even although we all said farewell to
you today your spirit will live on. From all the
people (Ride 4 PETS supporters, the group at Dr.
Sharon Kopenak’s clinic and everyone else who
met you) and all the animals whose lives you touch
during your short stay with us our thought are with
you and I assure you that you will never be
forgotten.

Goodbye for now my dear beloved friend Big
Maxx, I love and miss you terribly.

Brian.

I said good bye to my best friend
today. As I held my beloved
shepherd mix close to my chest and
sobbed, I thought back to the day we
adopted her from the animal shelter
where I worked some 10 years ago.
She was so excited on the drive
home it’s a wonder she did not suffer
permanent neck damage from
swinging her head so often and so
quickly from side to side. There was
so much to see and so little time, as
trees and building, cars and people
passed her by through the window.
My son, who sat in the passenger’s
seat and was 6 years old at the time,
asked me if she was always going to
be so “hyper”. I told him that
“Dana”, as we all agreed would be
her name, had been waiting for us in
a cage at the animal shelter and that
she was very excited about what was
happening, where she was going
and her new adventure.
That was ten years ago, where had
the time gone? Memories of our life
together flooded my mind as she
slowly slipped into a deep peaceful
sleep. My vet

stood beside us in silent support, respecting the little time we had left together.
I remembered the time when Dana and I joined a flyball class. She loved to play ball and had a reliable recall, two of the preferred prerequisites, so off we went.
Dana was always a quick study and after hitting the ‘ball box’ a few times, she had figured out how to make the ball spring out of the hole. Going over the set of
four jumps was not her favourite part of the game, but if it meant getting that ball she was in. However, once she hit the box and had the ball, she had her own
way of playing flyball. Her game entailed throwing the ball into the air and catching it. If she missed, it meant chasing the runaway ball through and around the
other dogs and people and then, once the ball had been retrieved, it was imperative that she show everyone in the class that she had the ball. She was indeed a
character, a clown at heart.
When we moved to New Jersey, I took on a shelter manager’s job and often brought home orphaned, immature kittens. Dana took the job of mothering these
poor waifs very seriously and would lay for hours by their crate and watch while the kittens slept. The moment she heard a hungry chirp, she was up pacing and
telling me they were awake. After each kitten had been bottled fed, Dana would lick their sticky faces clean and watch as I carefully put them back into their
crate. Being a fairly sound sleeper, Dana woke me on several occasions throughout the night to let me know our hungry kittens needed attention.
Over the years, Dana’s gentle nature touched the lives of close to 70 foster dogs who blessed our home. Her patient, nurturing and peaceable way never
wavered and I often marvelled at her adaptability skills.
For our two sons, Dana was a confidante, companion, educator and comfort. She was always available on a moment’s notice for a consultation and was an
excellent listener. She did not interrupt, offer her own ‘expert opinion’ or pass judgement. She just listened and offered a paw if the situation called for one.
Whenever any of us arrived home we could always count on Dana’s genuine ecstatic welcome. “You’re home! I’ve missed you, so glad to see you!” In her
enthusiasm, her large frame and long tail would often knock plants and knick knacks askew.
What I wouldn’t do to have just one more greeting from my dear friend.
Dana, you taught us well. You embraced each new day pure of heart. No grudges, malice, prejudices or contempt. Your love was unconditional.
We would have moved heaven and earth to rid you of the cancer that stole your flesh, but nothing humanly possible could be done. All I could offer you was
freedom and to be there for you until we meet again.
Now that the cancer can no longer consume your body, rest in peace my friend. My heart aches for you.










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