Welcome to COLE's Rainbow Residency

Memories of COLE

08.01.1999/02.20.2008 Your music is... YOU RAISE ME UP by Josh Groban 02.20.2010... Can't believe it's been 2yrs. We miss you so very much. We hope you are having a good time at the bridge. I know you sent me to this site for a special reason... to make sure ALL of the abused babies has a place to call their own. Thank you Cole. I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxo 01.01.2010... HAPPY NEW YEAR handsome. xoxo 12.24.2009...MERRY CHRISTMAS handsome boy. We are hoping you are having a great holiday at the bridge. May ALL of your wishes come true. Please watch over Shelly... you know she's very ill. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxo 11.24.2009... HAPPY THANKSGIVING my sweet boy. Giving thanks for having you in our lives. xoxo Our Cole....I first met our dear Cole in December of 2002. He was at a Rottie rescue. We had just lost our beloved Mandy, another Rottie & I needed a Rottie fix. From the first time that I saw Cole, I knew that he would be a member of our family. While at the Rescue, I took Cole for a short walk. We went outside the compound. We were walking up the street when he STOPPED right next to our truck. That was my sign. The sign that said he WOULD be our next Rottie. HE refused to go back into the compound & he put the brakes on when he had to go back into his kennel. I didn't want to leave him, but since we had just lost Mandy, we needed to get through the holidays before we brought home a new dog. In January 2003, Cole became a member of our family. What a joyful day that was. My husband hadn't seen him before that day. Cole & his new "daddy" were inseperable from that day forward. Cole had a heart of gold. It was big, just like him & full of love. Cole had found a home. People who REALLY WANTED him in their lives. After being in our home for a few months, he injured his knee. He had to have surgery. Then about a year later, he had to have the other knee done. Then a few years ago, he herniated a disc which also required surgery. He had the best doctors around. And he recovered from all of those injuries. We learned that when a dog has been in a kennel for some time, it is best NOT to let them run around a lot at first. Cole was on the mend. Running in the yard with his soulmate Dakota. Cole & Dakota...what a team. Chasing the squirrels, the bunnies, catching lizards & so much more. When Coles' daddy would come home from work, they would share their special time together on the back porch where Cole would get his belly rubbed. That was his favorite thing in the world. He could spend hours lying there. I have that image in my head. Cole thought he was a lap dog. If you were sitting on the floor, he would lay down as close as he could to you or try to lay in your lap. He would at least put his head in your lap. If you were in the chair, he would put both front legs on your chest & give smooches. When dinner was over, he would sit patiently by the chair until he & Dakota could lick the dish. He loved his walks. When he would come back from the walk, he had to sit in the front yard. He would NOT go in the backyard until he was good & ready. I think it had something to do with him being in a kennel for so long. But that was ok. Again, that was his time with his "daddy". He loved the car. He didn't care if he was going to the vet. All he knew was that he was going in the car. He was going to be going on a big car ride when we moved. He was going to see new things, meet new people, smell new smells & more. He hated to get a bath. He would see me get the shampoo out & he would go in the house, climb onto the couch, get in the corner..like I wasn't going to see him. He weighed 125. At the start of Jan. this year, I noticed that Cole was limping. This didn't send up any warning signs or maybe it did & I chose to NOT go there. Go to the place where we had been so many times before. I just thought that with the way that Dakota & he play, he may have twisted his leg or stepped on a rock. After 2 weeks, the limping was still there. NOW I started going to that place where I didn't want to go. So we took him for x-rays. And then came the news. The WORD no one wants to hear. CANCER. Our dear Cole had bone cancer. Something we could not heal. Even with the best of doctors, he didn't have a chance. He was going to get chemo, radiation & calcium ivs but never got the chance. On 02-20-08...that dreadful day, he was playing in the back with Dakota when he broke his leg. His cries were heard throughout the neighborhood. A cry that I will NEVER forget. I was upstairs. I don't remember going down those stairs. The next thing I knew, I was outside, standing over him but I knew what had happened before I even saw him. Another vision that I will NEVER forget....his soulmate trying to pull him out of the mud. I took one look into his eyes & I knew what was going to happen. I knew that this was going to be the LAST time he played in the yard. It was going to be the LAST time that he would be spending time with Dakota. It was the LAST time for everything. I phoned my husband at work. Luckily he was at his desk & NOT in Court or talking to a victim. ALL I could say was "he broke his leg, he broke his leg". NO OTHER WORDS WOULD COME OUT OF MY MOUTH. At that point, I THINK I went into shock along with Cole. He had to call the vet & neighbors. He didn't think that I would be able to get Cole up. I did though. I don't know where the strength came from but I did get Cole out of the mud. Cole then hobbled into the garage on 3 legs & laid down. He was still in shock. I sat with him...holding him...telling him that we loved him & how sorry I was that this happened. I know in my heart that he heard me BUT the look on his face was shock...pain...fear. As I was holding him, I knew that this would be the LAST time that I would hold him. It would be the LAST time that I would speak to him. SO MANY LAST TIMES ON THIS DAY. The whys...why did I let him play outside? Why wasn't he in the house? When I heard him outside playing, why didn't I make him stop? WHY...WHY...WHY?? My husbands drive home that morning seemed like an ETERNITY. He had only been at work a few hours before this call but he was NOT going to stay at work. He knew they would understand. He called to say he was in traffic. Why was there traffic at 10:00a.m.?? My husband came home. He changed his clothes. Our neighbor let us use his SUV. That would be easier on Cole. We made that trip to the vet. The FINAL trip with Cole. The hospital staff came out with the doggie cart to take Cole to the room. Then came the sedative shot. That would make Cole comfortable. Take the edge off. During that time, Cole just kept looking at HIS DADDY. Giving him kisses. The look in Coles eyes..they were saying "THANK YOU DADDY". THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE LOVE..THE BELLY RUBS & THANK YOU FOR COMING HOME TO BE WITH ME TODAY. The time in the room seemed to go by fast. We wanted more time. Then came time for the FINAL shot. The shot that would take Cole out of our lives & out of pain forever. I returned to the room & closed Coles eyes. Then came the GOOD-BYES. We didn't want to leave him. That was the hardest thing to do. But before leaving, I said what I ALWAYS say. PLEASE do NOT let them throw COLE into the back of the truck. We had to walk out of the office, WITHOUT our Cole, knowing that we would not see him for a long time. Not until it was our time to leave this earth. We cried all the way home. Walking into our home without Cole was hard. Dakota was having a hard time. She wanted to know where he was. She went to the backdoor, crying for him. We had to tell her that he was not coming home. So, our hearts ache for Cole. We miss him. I look out onto the back porch & I don't see him laying on the carpet. I don't see him on the couch. I just DON'T see him. We miss his smooches. We miss the wagging of his "stump". I miss getting up in the middle of the night to let him out to go potty. Dakota stands at the couch & just stares at his spot. Not knowing if she wants to get up there or not. She does sleep on his round bed but I think that is because that bed has his smell. He's not there in the morning when my husband leaves for work. He can't say his good-bye in the mornings. He doesn't have his special bond time after work. All we have are the memories. Memories that we will hold forever in our hearts. Our dear Cole...we miss you so very much. The tears still flow down our cheeks. Your Dakota misses you very much. She walks around looking for you. You aren't there when your daddy comes home. No wagging tail...no smiling face. No porch time. We could take care of the other injuries in your life. This cancer, we could not cure. We were going to make you have a good quality of life. We had the best doctors lined up to make sure of that. You never got the chance. And we are so sorry for that. You are in the garden at the Rainbow Bridge with all of the other children from this house. I am sure they are showing you around. I also think you have some other friends with you. You should be seeing BEAR, MALIBU, SADIE & a few more. You will be waiting for us when it is our time to leave this earth. Don't forget what we look like. You brought us so much joy. We miss you so much. Our hearts ache for you. You are FOREVER in our hearts. Until we meet again, our sweet, big Rottie. And when it's time for Dakota to join you, please take her under your wing like you did when you were here. She will be so happy to see you once again. Our sweet Cole...you're at peace now. No more pain. All 4 of your legs work. You are cancer free. You touched so many lives. We love you!!!! xoxoxoxo PS..we sometimes forget to thank those people who made a difference in the lives of those we love. I want to thank the following: BEVERLY from the Rottie rescue. She puts her heart out there all the time for these beautiful dogs. Thanks to her, she got us through some rough times prior to us getting Cole. I will always thank her for allowing us to be a part of Coles' life. Thanks to JILL who also works with Beverly. The two of them have been there for us through all of Coles' medical issues. Thank you to DR. LOWE for giving all of our pets the best vet care. I could ALWAYS ask you what you would do IF it were your pet & you ALWAYS told us the truth, no matter how painful it was. You & your staff have ALWAYS been so gentle with ME, the basket case, when we have lost our babies. There is a special place in heaven for you. Thank you to DR. BRUECKER & DR. AYL who would have been the treating doctors for his chemo, etc. They are the BEST. They were there for Cole when he needed his knees repaired & when he ruptured his disc. They have been there for us with our other "children" that have had to have surgery & when we have had to say good-bye. And I want to thank TRACY who works with Dr. Bruecker & Dr. Ayl. She was always so patient with me when I had to talk to her about what would be taking place with the chemo. I know that I asked her the SAME questions over & over but my head wasn't always in the right place. And to the staff & other Drs. at VMSG...they are truly the best in their profession. And a thank you to the people at VPI, the pet insurance company that I use. They, too, were always very patient with me when I would start to break down. They would let me cry. They never made me feel rushed. And a special thank you to all of our friends & family who helped us get through this tough time. THANK YOU!! 03-05-08 ** Hello Mr. Cole, it' mommy & daddy..well, it's been 2 weeks since your body left us. All we have are the memories. We miss you so much. So many people have visited your site & they have said such nice things about you. And they didn't even know you. Just think of what they would say if they did know you. You are so missed & loved. We are still shedding tears because this has been so hard. Daddy really misses your time together. And Dakota, I worry about her. She is so lonely. She doesn't know what to do without you. You were her rock. I know that at some point in time, I will need my Rottie fix but DON'T think that we are going to replace you. I know that when it's time, we will get another Rottie & hopefully he will be a lot like you. We know that you would want us to help another Rottie that doesn't have a home. But it's not time yet. Your ashes should be coming home soon. Another sad day for us but at least we will feel a little closer to you. We love you sweet boy!! xoxo Hi Cole, it's me, Dakota...I miss you sooooo much. It is so lonely here without you. I am lost. I wish you didn't have to get sick & leave me. Please send me a sign that I WILL be ok. I want you here with me. Daddy & mommy want you here too. Water still comes out of their eyes. I know they try to not cry in front of me but sometimes I catch them. We are going on a road trip soon to Reno. I wish you were going with us. I know mommy wanted you to see the new place where we are moving. You will be with us, but only in spirit. Say hello to Mandy for me. Tell her that I miss her too. And the rest of the fur family that I don't know. I love you Cole xoxoxo We received a wonderful gesture from your friends at the Rottweiler Rescue. They had a tree dedicated in your honor. They, too, miss you more than you know. Beverly & Jill send you their love. xoxo 03-07-08** I just got a call from Dr. Lowe. You are ready to come home. IN AN URN. Daddy will pick you up because I can't even go into the office. That office will always have bad memories for me. Don't think bad of me but I had to go to the Rottie rescue web site & look at the babies. I saw one named TEDDY that looks just like you. He is a handsome boy. Watch over all of your friends at the rescue. We love you Mr. Cole. xoxo 03-08-08** Well, you ARE home with us. Not your body but your ashes. Daddy was going to go on Monday, but I didn't want you to sit there by yourself for the rest of the weekend. I didn't want you to think that the errands I had to do was more important than getting you. So I called daddy & told him that I wanted you home today. I went back home, gave him the car & he went & picked you up. I think it was hard on daddy. He had weepy eyes when he came into the house. Dakota sniffed your urn. She gave the urn a lick. She was welcoming you back home. This is not getting easier. I know that with time, it will but right now we miss you so much that the ache just won't go away. And that's ok. I don't want it to leave yet. I'm afraid if it does, that will mean that I don't miss you anymore & that will NEVER be the case. We love you Cole. xoxo 03-10-08** What a nice surprise. I come to your page & there you are. Looking at us with that handsome smile of yours. Oh, we miss you so much. You just don't know. I wish you were here with your "daddy". He has this week off & you could be sitting with him on the backporch, getting your belly rubbed or going on walks. We love you big guy. xoxo 03-12-08** Well, here it is, 3 weeks later & guess what? The heartache, it's still there. I say goodnight to you every night & I say good morning to you every morning. I know daddy talks to you. I know that his pain is not going away. I see his red eyes every now & then. You were something special. Since you have been at the Bridge, you have had to welcome many new babies to the other side. I hope you are making them feel warm & safe. You are our gentle giant & I know you will take care of them. I know you & the rest of the babies are at peace. We love you..xoxo Hi Cole,it's me, Dakota. I MISS YOU. It's just not the same. It's not fun barking at the people passing by anymore. It's not fun chasing the squirrels. I want you here with me. I never like to have my tummy rubbed but I am giving it a try..I am doing it for daddy. Mommy says that you are "channeling" through me, whatever that means. She cries sometimes when she sees me getting my tummy rubbed. We are going to Reno in a month & I heard that they are taking you too. Mommy wanted so much for you to go there. Even though your body isn't going, your spirit is.(along with your ashes) She said she can't leave you at home alone. I love you Cole. xoxoxo 03-19-08** Hello handsome guy. It has been 29 days since you were chosen by God to go be with him. I wish you could have stayed longer but I know in my heart, it was time for you to leave us. You were in pain & it would have been selfish on our part to make you suffer any longer. Plus, your broken leg could not be fixed. That cancer ate right through the back part of you leg. You have lots of new friends at the Bridge. By now, you have met Blackjack. Take good care of him. His daddy & I have been talking & his daddy misses him so much. He is having such a hard time. And there's Sadie. Watch over her like you did Dakota. I miss you more than you know. Daddy misses you too. He is trying to be strong but I catch him, just sitting on the back porch & I know he is wishing you were with him. He is focusing on Dakota & trying to give her a little extra love. She is hurting too. You go play my big guy. We love you. xoxo Hi Cole, it's me Dakota. I ask WHY...WHY did you have to go? WHY did YOU have to get cancer? WHY does anyone have to get cancer? WHY did I have to have a tumor removed? WHY,WHY,WHY? I miss you so much. My days just are NOT the same. I know mommy & daddy don't want to get another baby yet, but I need another friend. I AM LONELY. I don't want you to think that I don't love you because I DO & I MISS YOU but I am lonely. I catch mommy & daddy talking to your box. I know they miss you. And yes, water is still coming out of their eyes. I miss you Cole. xoxo 03-22-08** Happy Easter handsome boy. Tomorrow I will go to church & thank God that you were a part of our lives. I will also thank him for NOT making you suffer. I will ask for the strength to get through this rough time. Help Aker find some carrots to share with everyone. And help the kitties find some plastic eggs. We love you Cole. Dakota says "hi". xoxo 03-26-08** Hi to our handsome big Rottie...well 5 weeks ago today we had to say good-bye. The pain is still there & the tears are still there. Those tears..they come when I least expect them. I can't tell you how big of a hole your passing has left in our lives. Not having you here with me everyday is something that I never thought about. We talked everyday. I was home with you & it's lonely without you. Dakota is still very lonely. Your passing has left a big hole in her life. She just wanders. I have met some wonderful people at the Bridge. They have helped me alot. They have told me that it's OK to cry..that it is part of the healing process. Daddy & I are missing one thing....a visit from YOU. I would love to hear you bark or feel you brush up against me. I know daddy would like the same. We love you Cole. Give the rest of the babies a kiss for us. WE MISS YOU ALL!!! xoxoxoxoxo 04-02-08** 6 weeks....it seems like just yesterday you were here with us. We miss you so. Dakota misses you too. I keep waiting for you to come in the back door but you DON'T. Sometimes I catch myself calling your name when it's dinner time. BUT YOU AREN'T THERE. And then I HAVE to face the fact that you ARE GONE. And sometimes, that just ISN'T easy for me. WE LOVE YOU COLE!!! xoxo 04-09-08** 7 weeks...and the pain is not getting any better BUT I hear it will with TIME. We miss you so much. So many people have come to visit you at the Bridge. And I have met so many nice people in the chat room. Tomorrow is Ursas' day. Will you give her a big, wet lick for us? WE LOVE ALL OF YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. xoxoxo Since I am running out of room to write to our BIG GUY, his postings will be in his GUEST BOOK. We want to THANK EVERYONE who has come to visit our HANDSOME GUY. We love him & miss him so much!! 04-23-08** 9 WEEKS Cole...sometimes it seems like you were here yesterday & sometimes it seems like you have been gone FOREVER. Yes, the tears STILL come. And YES, my heart still aches. I hear it will JUST TAKE TIME. We miss you so much. HUGS & KISSES to you. mommy & daddy 11-16-2008** WOW..what a surprise. Ginny gave up more words for your page. Well, it's the holiday season so I thought I'd change your page to snow & give you a holiday tune. I hope you like it. We miss you so much. This will be the FIRST holiday season without you. We will miss so much. I know you are taking such good care of Karley. Let her know what it would have been like during the holidays. Make sure she gets a stocking filled with the things that she loves. Don't let her wander. I don't want her getting lost. Make sure she's safe & warm & feels ALL the love around her. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxoxo 11.27.2008...hello handsome. Well, here it is, Thanksgiving. As I was in the kitchen fixing the turkey, there was something missing. Do you know what that something was? Well, it's not really a something...it's a someone. And that someone is YOU. I miss tripping over you. I miss seeing you sleeping in the middle of the floor just waiting to get the FIRST bite of turkey. I miss you so much...my heart aches. But I will get through this day knowing that you loved us so much. And I will get through this day knowing that you're having such a wonderful day with all of your family & friends at the bridge. We will give THANKS for having you in our lives for 5 wonderful, loving years. Take care of Karley for me. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxoxo 11.30.2008...hello handsome boy. YOU HAVE WINGS. Gabby sent this photo to us on a day when I was having a really bad day. It made me cry but it made me smile too. I was missing you so very much when I got the e-mail from her. I opened it & there you were...wings, red rose, moon & all. She said that she wanted to personalize it so she thought of my saying...WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK. You are a gorgeous ANGEL. Daddy is really missing you. I know his heart still hurts. We miss you Cole. Please watch over Dakota. She has been wanting to be alone lately. We hope she's OK. Please send her some smooches. I know she misses you. xoxoxo 12.22.2008...hello handsome...how are you today? This is going to be one of those "firsts". Our first Christmas without you. My heart is already heavy with sorrow. Your stocking is hung with the others who have gone to the bridge. I hope you know just how much we love you. And how much our hearts broke when we had to say "good-bye". But we know you'll be having a wonderful Christmas day with your family & friends. Hang your stocking by the chimney with care...and help the others hang their stockings. And stay with Karley the entire day. This is her first Christmas...she should be with her loving parents but that wasn't meant to be. She needs you Cole. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxo 12.23.2008...MERRY CHRISTMAS handsome. This is our first Christmas without you. It just won't be the same. But we know that you are going to have a wonderful day with all of your friends & family. Is your singing voice ready for all of those caroles you are going to be singing. And is your stocking ready for hanging? You loved getting your stocking. Please gather the family & take a moment to remember us. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS COLE!!! xoxo 01.01.2009...HAPPY NEW YEAR handsome. How are you today? I can't believe it's 2009 already. In almost 2 months, you will have been away from us for 1 YEAR. We miss you so much. I hope you helped Ursa at her party. Please give her a BIG smooch for us. And here's one for you...SMOOCH!!! WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxo 01.20.2009...This date, 1 year ago is when we found out about the cancer in Coles' front leg. And as his 1 year marker approaches, we still have sadness in our hearts & tears in our eyes. We will get through this marker thanks to all of our friends here at the bridge. Cole, smooches to you!!! WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!! xoxo HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY handsome boy...we miss you with all of our heart. xoxo 02.18.2009...well handsome, here it is...exactly one year ago TODAY, we had to release you so you could begin your journey to the bridge.(your actual DATE is the 20th.) For me, that day is FOREVER etched in my brain & heart. It was one of the most painful days in my life. And for you, it was very painful. Daddy & I have made it through ALL of the "firsts"...all of them were tough...some of them made us cry...some made us smile. But one thing is for sure...we miss you with all of our heart. And we would give anything to be able to hold you, pet you, smooch on you JUST ONE MORE TIME. Cole, I know you sent me to this wonderful place to help me heal. But you also sent me here to help others who are going through the cancer pain with their fur babies. I hope I have been able to help them. It's hard for me to tell about the cancer that all of you have endured...it brings the memories flooding back but all of your stories need to be told in order for the people to understand what they are facing. So handsome boy...keep mommie strong. We love you so very much. And Miss Dakota misses you...ALOT!! You were her playmate...her protector...her friend...her heart. So handsome boy...WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!!...xoxo 04.16.2009...I am sooooo sorry my sweet boy. I couldn't get into your page & I missed being able to tell you HAPPY EASTER. I know you had such a good time on Easter sunday...hunting for eggs, chasing the bunnies & so much more. Please forgive me for not visiting you. We miss you so much & we love you to the moon & back. xoxo 08.01.2009...HAPPY BIRTHDAY handsome. You would have celebrated your 10th. birthday with us but you are celebrating it with all of your friends at the bridge. Cole, we miss you so very much. Today, Lily picked up your beautiful urn & carried it to me. She has never picked it up before. We hope you have the most wonderful birthday. Eat all the cupcakes you want. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!! xoxo ps...it'a also Susie's first year marker at the bridge. Will you make sure you give her a smooch for me please? 10.14.2009...Happy Fall my big, handsome boy. I am so sorry that I have not been to visit. I won't let that happen every again. Please watch over all of the abused babies that have been sent to you. Keep them safe until I can get there to watch over you & everyone else. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK!!!...xoxo Please also visit AGBENYAGA, AKER, BUCKY, CHARRO, GODS Gentle Giants, KARLEY, KEIKO, Keisha(BooBoo), LADY WENDY, MANDY, MERCY, PFEIFLES' BABIES, REGINA, SHEPP, SNOW PUPPIES, Tiger Lily, Trail of Tears and URSA.

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