Abbey and Sally-lou at Christmas before Abbey's passing in January 2010.

"First of all I want to thank Julie for making Abbey's time at the vet much more comfortable and the love and support you showed me. I will NEVER forget your kindness.

My first reaction was that I didn't want to talk about her passing but now I know I want everyone to know the difference she made in this world. She touched lives wherever she went. Who didn't love Abbey?

She is leaving a wonderful legacy of touched lives. Her memory will become a reminder that "rescues" with a second chance can make a difference in people's lives. She made a difference in my life as she taught me there's nothing better than giving love to another person. There were so many times at the hospital she gave everything she had from balancing on a small chair, climbing on a bed, going the extra mile - she won't be forgotten. She was happiest when she was working.

She passed very peacefully, surrounded by her family that loved her the most. She was already in heaven before she passed. The kids and I were loving her and "singing her praises" to her as she took her journey out of this life.

I want people to remember her. She was one-in-a-million and I know she will forever live in our hearts.

I am grateful I was the one that God chose to give her to." Sally-lou

Memorials

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It's All About the Dogs!

Westar's Mighty Faithful Zadok, CDX, RE, AX, MXJ, XF and THD

Zadok is an inspiration to the Akita breed. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him. The connection and commitment he and Julie share is to be admired as is the many things the two of them accomplished. True sole mates! Zadok, we'll miss your compassionate, smiling face, but we'll never forget it.

“Even I am not sure how to summarize Zadok. He taught me how to live life, that giving is truly better then receiving. He shared his joy with every single person he met. Yes he did obedience, rally and agility but therapy was his true calling. He always knew what each person needed from him. Whether that was to offer soft fur to cry in or to be a goofy dog to roll around on the floor with. He would sniff out people he knew in the hospital even through closed doors. He could tell when someone was about to pass, and he would spend time with them so that they didn't need so much morphine, and then sit with each member of their family as if to say everything would be ok. Having a student at Virginia Tech come up to you and say that the dogs made it ok to smile again was amazing. At NIU Zadok worked his way up from homeboy to homie within the week. He just always seemed to fit in wherever he was.”

Zadok’s accomplishments in life included: multiple Eukanuba Agility events, Obedience, Rally and Agility events at multiple National Akita Specialty shows with highest scores during that period of time, including a High in Trial award.

His therapy work included a long and distinguished record working at hospitals, children’s camps and prisions. He attained the AKC ACE Award in the Therapy Division and a Diamond Collar Hero Award from the Oregon Humane Society. He was also a member of the National Animal Assisted Crisis Response Team which would included cross country visits to console those touched by tragedies such as those at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University.