serves South Carolina from the midlands area. For more information contact:

Mary Williams
PO Box 3545
Columbia, SC 29230-3545
803-735-0599
 email: starsekr@logicsouth.com


This Memorial Page is not limited to Midlands Golden Rescue Goldens. Any of God's creatures can be remembered on this page, canine, feline or 2 leggers. Any donations accompanying your memorial would be greatly appreciated.  
 Denotes Midland Golden Rescue Golden

In Loving Memory of
Jazz

Loved and greatly missed by:
Melanie, Kenny, Brett & Emily Summer



In Loving Memory of
Maggie

 Mary,

I had to put Maggie down this week. She had cancer and it had spread to her lungs. I wanted to thank you for the many years of unconditional love, laughter, loyalty, and beauty that you helped provide. Truly, Maggie was a dog unlike no other. Not only was she exceptional by the very nature of her breed, but she was a rescue dog. I have yet to come across a dog who had such an appreciation and understanding for all things as Maggie. She never met a face that she didn't love! It has been more difficult than I could have ever imagined to live without her. I know that in time, I will "love again". When that time comes I will definitely get another rescue Golden. 

If your adoptees are getting even a 1/4 of the love and joy that I have experienced with Maggie, than you truly are responsible for warming the hearts of many! Thank you again for the very special service that you provide. 

All of my love and support, 
 Seana

 

To Mac and Karen
in memory of Daisy
Fitzgerald's Daisy II




AUTUMN


What do we do when our loving pets face the last leg of the race? We do all we can to help them finish well, of course. We take time to read the unspoken needs of the friends we've come to know so well.

We give the simple reassurance of a loving touch when the old boy seems confused for no reason.

We groom them faithfully, but more gently, as age brings muscle wasting, and the arthritic bones aren't so well padded.

We learn to slow down for their sake, as they enjoy the scent of the wind, or track a visitors trail across their yard.

We expect to be inconvenienced, and aren't angry when it happens.

We watch for pain and treat it, watch for changes in vision and hearing and do what we can to help preserve those precious senses for as long as possible.

We take care of their teeth, and make sure their food is a manageable texture for them.

We remind them of the need for a potty walk when they seem to forget.

We remember the little rewards. We scratch the graying ears and tummy, and go for car rides together. When the pet we love has an unexplained need for comfort, we give it freely. When infirmities bring a sense of vulnerability, we become our old guardian's protector.

We watch their deepest slumbers, when dreams take them running across long-forgotten fields, and we remember those fields too. When they cannot stand alone, we lift them. When their steps are uncertain, we steady them.

And if their health fails, it falls to us to make the choice that will gently put them to rest. But until that is absolutely necessary, we pause to let the autumn sun warm our old friend's bones. And we realize, autumn is not a bad time of year at all.

Old age is not a disease or a reason to give up. It is a stage of life that brings its own changes. Autumn can be a beautiful time of harvest.

And, sometimes, the harvest is love.

author-- Christy Caballero

"Woodie"
Honeybee Drivin' Woodie Wagon CD JH WC
remembered by Janet and Richard Cushman

Ouiji
Adopted 2-10-91 - 4-11-01
In loving memory....and fondly remembered by Tim and Kathryn Dunmyer and family



Windsor
9/24/90 - 01/04/01
Remembered by
Windsor's family
Janice, Roger and Lucky
On Saturday May the 3rd after only 2 months of being with us and just 5 weeks from her diagnosis of advanced kidney disease, Chloe had to say good-bye to us. It was far too soon for this wonderful girl. We are all mourning her loss, especially her adoptive family, Liz and Mike Shultz. She was a very special girl who was sent to us for a reason. I guess she fulfilled her purpose for coming to us and that is why she left so quickly. She brought sunshine when she came and that will warm our hearts for a very long time to come.

Rest peacefully Sweet Chloe.
Mary Williams, Founder

 

My sweet Dawn went to the Bridge
on February 25,2003

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

Cinnamon

Gotcha Day March 22, 1993
Bridge Day February 13, 2003

"I know the Lord planned for us to have her in our
family. We couldn't have been blessed anymore. We loved
her as our child, best friend , and companion
(therapist). "

 Loved and fondly remembered by Russ and Rene Atkinson and Midlands Golden Rescue

Ciara Van Dine

Gotcha Day July 25, 1990
Bridge Day December 2003

Loved and fondly remembered by 
Kris Van Dine
Robert Stevenson and
Midlands Golden Rescue

 

The old guy is dead…

I'll lend you for a little time,
a dog of mine God said.
For you to love while he lives
and mourn when he is dead.
The years they may be six or
ten or even as few as three.
But will you, 'til I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down
there I want this dog to learn.
I've looked the wide world over,
in search for a master true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him your love,
nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to call
to take him back again?
-We answered in sincerity,
Dear Lord,Thy will be done.
For all the joy this dog shall bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
and love him while we may,
And for the happiness we will know,
we'll ever grateful stay.
But shall the angels call for him
much sooner then we planned,
We'll know the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.

Author Unknown

Rusty Miller
Gotcha Day January 2, 1993
Taken home to Canada April 1993
Bridge Day February 5, 2004

Mary's memories of Rusty...........
 
Rescued from a puppy Mill bust.  When I took him in after a year of living in the shelter per the court order...he was an emotional wreck.  After the horrible puppy mill situation, then 13 months in the animal shelter, next he stayed in a foster home for nearly a year and he was still such an emotional wreck....so fearful and shy, that I was beginning to wonder if he would ever be able to be adopted. I was seriously considering having him put down rather than watch him try to continue living with his many demons.  I am very glad that I didn't give up on him as a wonderful gal offered to work with him with the goal of possibly adopting to her parents in Canada.  Thank God!!!.. he send an angel by the name of Julie McCrum to me and most of all to Rusty!!  After several intense months in Julie's "Get A Life Rusty! Boot Camp"...Rusty was starting to show a tiny bit of improvement.  Then  Julie's parents came down and decided that they too didn't want to give up on this big red guy and would continue to work with him...I swear it was love at first sight....Rusty went on to out live his original parents...and then went on to assist their son Bill to get over his grief of the loss of his parents and be his constant companion. ...Thus also bringing Bill into my life as a very special friend who is much cherished by me too... Rusty in his long life touched many lives...too many to mention here...from the Orangeburg Animal Shelter who initially came to his rescue and called me in to assist in this bust..to me..another foster home (personal friends of mine), then Julie and her husband, Julie's parents..William and Mrs. Miller and then finally Bill, Julie's brother and all of his many friends who visited, fiddled, canoed and tapped maple trees with him and Rusty.
 
Rusty was truly a Rescue success story...He changed all of our lives..
 
Fondly remembered by Mary, founder of Midlands Golden Rescue

Dear Mary,

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that yesterday Rusty died. On Sunday he suffered a spinal stroke just like the time two years ago, and lost the use of his right hind leg, then on Wed he had another one and lost the use of his left leg. My Vet, a golden lover too gave me no hope for a recovery, the last time it was a miracle that even Monique couldn't believe when he came out of it. He gave me the most treasured of years he spent with me, He was the official greeter here in my home town, and No Wal-Mart store in north America could have ever had better one. I do want to thank you again for the opportunity of having met and loved a dog such as Rusty. His love for me was the most beautiful experience I have had,, and my devotion and love for him was legendary. I am not ready just yet to take on the responsibility of having a new dog, I have a major grieving to go thru and I will grieve, and long to pet him and whisper in his ear how much I do love him, My home is so empty without him here, he was constantly by my side. When I got up to go to the kitchen he followed me never more than five feet away from me ever, he spent his days sleeping under the canoes I was working on, when the mail man came he and I always walked down to get it. the day will come though and I hope it is soon that I will want to open my heart and home to another golden Retriever just like Rusty. I will ask if you know of a golden who wants a good home to come to ...Rusty is going to be very sadly missed and NEVER forgotten. A friend of mine from South Africa sent me this poem today and I wanted to share it with you.

Love, bill

 

Winnie’s Final Chapter

I met Winnie in September 2002. I had contacted Midlands Golden Rescue in August to adopt a golden after the loss of my son’s English bulldog. The house was empty and I’d always wanted a golden.  I read the stories about all the dogs available and, although Winnie tugged at my heart, I adopted Bailey, a younger male.  Bailey and I bonded immediately but something was still missing.  Mary encouraged me to come meet Winnie. I hesitated because I knew she could be with me only a short time and I wasn’t ready for another loss.

          As I drove out to Mary’s I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t bring Winnie home with me.  But all it took was one soft kiss from her and my heart was hers. Winnie asked for nothing but gave so much. Her heart was truly golden.

          Everything Mary said about Winnie was true. She had her own agenda and wasn’t about to give up! Winnie came home with me that day and I have thanked God everyday for the honor of giving Winnie her forever home. The year we had together was more than I could have hoped for.

          At first Winnie let Bailey boss her around and keep her off the couch, the bed, and my lap. After a few days, Winnie won Bailey’s heart and he let her do whatever she wanted. They got along so well. Winnie would run around the yard chasing Bailey or a ball forgetting her heart was so enlarged. She went on long walks with me, refusing to stay home and rest. Winnie would stand at the door until I gave in and put her leash on! She never gave up willingly and she was never far from my side.

          In September 2003 Winnie started to get worse.  There had been several scares before this but she had always surprised us and pulled through.  This was different. Winnie told me in her own way that it was time for her to leave me. At first I refused to listen. I loved her too much to let her leave me. But Winnie taught me that because I loved her so much, I could let her go.  On September 29, 2003 at 9 pm Winnie made her trip to the bridge surrounded by those who loved her most. Her head was in my lap and she gave me one last kiss. I pray the last thing she heard was my “I love you, Winnie and we’ll be together again.”

          Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my sweet Winnie. I see her standing in the yard, head cocked, listening to the wind. I see her running up a hill in PA chasing a rabbit and meeting a horse for the first time. I see her sitting in front of the treat jar waiting for something special. I feel her next to me at night, snuggling close.  I see her favorite balls and woobies waiting for her to play.  Most of all I feel her soft kisses on my cheek as my tears fall.  I pray Winnie enjoyed her last year as much as I did. She was my heart dog and I know someday we’ll be together again and she will be well and happy.

          Run and play with the other Bridgekids, Winnie until I can join you.

                                       Love, Mom

For Winnie's full story

 

 

Memorial to Beth Kraus-Guasta

Beth was a dear friend who loved life and loved her "soul mate" Chase more!  Beth was taken from us and Chase on 27 Mar 04 to cancer.  Chase will be adopted by us at her request.  At least having him around will keep Beth's memory alive.  There is no other human being alive who loved Golden's more than Beth.  In her memory, a donation is being made to Midlands Golden Rescue, a program she would have supported, as she has others.  We are sure Beth is now surrounded by a pack of Golden's, smiling ear to ear.    

Love to our friend,

Esther and Karen

 

In Memory of Sandy Reeder
Adopted 12/1994
Passed Away 5/3/2004

 

You joined our family as a 6 month old puppy.  Since that day you gave us your heart, and we wholeheartedly accepted it.  We are going to miss your good morning greetings, your kisses that healed hurts and gave laughter, your friendship as a constant companion by our sides, your concern for our well being, and your ability to “wake up” mom and the boys.

We are comforted to know that you are spending your days chasing lizards, squirrels, and birds, playing with all of your golden and animal friends, seeing Sport and Grandpa Reeder, and having an endless supply of ice cubes. 

You will always be in our hearts and minds.  We love and miss you very much Sandy.

Love,
Mom, Dad, Gregory, & Austin

 

In Loving Memory of Jamie

Adopted Into Her Forever Home November 21, 1998


Rainbow Bridge on November 11, 2004

She was loved and missed by Diane and all the Vaglio family.
 

 

 

 Rosie

Gotcha Day - February 6, 1999
Bridge Date - January 5, 2008

What can I say about Rosie?  Only that she was the best dog ever, and she will always have a very special place in our hearts.  From the day we brought her home ( Feb 6, 1999) until she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge ( Jan 5, 2008)  she won over all of our hearts with her sweet, gentle nature.  She loved to play,  and even up until the last days  when she was barely strong enough to walk, would want to chase her beloved tennis balls. Rosie never met a stranger, and had many human friends as well as dog friends.  We will always be blessed that we could be your forever home and you will be number one in our hearts.

The Lamberts

 

 

Molly

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MOLLY

Over ten years ago we were in search of a dog which would be good with our five year old daughter.  I researched and read a book on Golden Retrievers.  We quickly knew this was the dog for us.  We located Molly in Augusta Georgia and went to get her.  Molly ran right to us and we knew she was the one.  Over the next ten years Molly taught our family a lot.  We learned she was not a dog she was a Golden and when the golden paw demanded attention you had better give it to her.  I soon learned Molly was not just my best friend she was my fuzzy face daughter.  We will always have the many memories we have shared, however no words can express how much we will miss you.

The Hinson Family