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Riverside, San Bernardino
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Home » Memorials » Memorials

Memorials

Zeus
November 2003 - May 21, 2008

It is with great sadness and loss that my dear friend Zeus is moved from the Camp four-legged staff page, to the Memorials page. I believe that akitas come into your life and take a part of your soul. Zeus came to Camp and touched the hearts of everyone that met him. He was a big goofy boy with so much love, he was definitely a "momma's" boy, and still shared his heart with all. He loved his Meehoe, and Sydney was his best friend. We are all mourning his loss. His and my relationship can be summed up very simply, I asked God to give me a best friend, and he gave me Zeus. You will always be in my heart, I love you and miss you deeply my friend.....

Magic
11/25/96-07/12/03

What a memorable day that was, July 3rd, 1996, Shilley (Magic) came to stay at Camp Ilene. I remember him arriving in a green Mercedes Benz sports car, sitting proudly in the front seat. He was 8 months old, very handsome and a little shy. I loved him instantly, there was just something about him that touched my soul.

The first week he was there, his owner called to check on him regularly, but then after the first week, I didn't hear anything else. I was working with a behaviorist at the time, and she said she would write the owner a letter, telling him that since this dog was an Akita, he really needed a permanent home. I prayed about him being my dog and just let God know that if he was supposed to be mine, to please let it happen. Before the letter was written that same day, the owners girlfriend called, saying that the owner could not keep the dog, and wondered if I knew someone who might want him. I cried, and Shilley became Magic.

He was an amazing dog. He was very social with all the Campers here at Camp Ilene, even Blanche, the little argentine street dog the size of a chihuahua. And Blackie, a black lab, was his favorite. They would nuzzle each other when she came to visit. He would always greet me with a wiggle and a soft toy in his mouth. All I had to do was show him my tennis shoes and he became so excited, knowing that it was his special time for a walk. He filled my heart with love and joy.

Saturday, July 12th, my faithful companion, my trusted servant, my beloved friend, Magic was found dead. It was sudden, unexpected and shocking. My vet told me bloat. His life was taken way too soon. He was only 7 1/2 years young. Dogs only stay with us such a short time compared to our lives, so when it is shortened even more, it is such a major loss. I miss him and am grieving his loss. He was an amazing dog, full of love and wonder. Innocence and joy, what an amazing gift from God he was in my life. I miss him so much right now. I keep looking out at all the dogs wanting his face to be there, wanting him to greet me with his wiggle like he did, always with a toy in his mouth. Those who knew him, knew his strength and his gentleness. There was wisdom in his face. I was connected to that dog like no other, he was my best friend. He is terribly missed.

Mick - Little Lion King of Seven Oaks
12-03-99 - 08-12-07

My precious little man, how I miss that face and your funny ways. Too many seizures, too much suffering, the decision to let you go was very difficult and painful. I miss your face and your silly bark whenever you heard that it was feeding time. And I will always think of you when I get string cheese, your favorite treat! I miss your funny ways of chasing all the dogs and grabbing their tails. You were a true King, regal and aloof, yet sweet and loving. You are missed and loved and I hope you are romping with Magic your best friend!

Nikki Kimmel

Nikki was a favorite camper here since 2004. She had a special place in my heart and in my home. She slept at the end of the bed in my bedroom on a dog bed next to Zeus, and after he passed, next to Takara or Tomodachi. She had a precious heart and soul and will be missed greatly. Hope you are romping with Zeus beyond the Rainbow Bridge Ms. Nikki. We love you and miss you!

Lola Hankerd

December 29, 2008 - February 13, 2010

Lola was such a happy camper. She lived her too short life to the fullest! She had so much joy in her. She was able to spend her last play times at Camp Ilene romping with her sister Lilikoi Rose, having a fabulous time. She loved the ball, and wrestling with Lili and the other campers as you can see from some of her photos in the Camp Ilene gallery. She passed away just a week later, at home, in the arms of loved ones after suffering a terrible seizure, which she had occasionally suffered from. She gave joy to her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

On Monday March 9th my dog and running buddy Kodi went to sleep for the last time. She was almost 17 years old and was fighting the inevitable right to the end. That morning started out on a positive note. Like most mornings with Kodi, she was prancing & trotting around the yard while I fixed her breakfast, it didn’t look like it would be her last. After she battled back from being attacked by a Pit-bull last July I thought nothing could beat her, but age caught up with her, like it does to us all. I miss her so much…. I didn’t think it would hurt like this…. I love you Kodi….

On Friday, August 22nd, I made the hardest decision and let Maverick go peacefully across the Rainbow Bridge . He turned 13 last month. Maverick was the bravest dog and put up a tremendous fight and will to live since his surgery for the removal of a brain tumor in August 2006. Although he did well, those types of tumors eventually grow back and as hard as he fought, he was getting so tired and the fire in his eyes was starting to go dim. I know he was trying to tell me it was OK, but I didn’t have the heart to say goodbye yet. I wasn’t ready, but I know he was. He was the funniest, smartest, fastest, strongest, most intelligent dog that I ever knew. We adopted each other on January 20th, 1996, and had been together thru thick and thin ever since. He was my best buddy and I miss him terribly as does Tom. His little brother Aidan and little sister Bella Bleu miss him but they know that they have a guardian angel looking out for them and I know that Mav crossed the Rainbow Bridge with a spring in his step and a gleam in his eye and is playing endless Frisbee and swimming in the ocean, his favorite things to do. So for those of you that knew him, say a little prayer next time you see a Rainbow. Cara & Tom

It is with great sadness and deep loving that I share with you that I had to let my beloved dog, Barney, go Thursday night. Barney had cancer and probably would not have made it through the night. I knew it was time for him to go. I held him for hours. I stayed with him, asked plenty of questions, and listened to my inner guidance to be sure that I was making the choice for his quality of life. I'm at peace with the decision. He just curled up in my arms and went to sleep. Barney is the best dog I've ever had. He's always been there when we opened the door, when we turned a corner, when we were awake, and asleep. He let us know when someone came to the door. He taught us how to love by fully loving. Barney is/was pure love --- the ultimate in unconditional love. He was my precious furry faithful friend and will be sorely missed. It has been a tremendous honor to have opened my heart and loved my Barney so deeply. May we all have so much love to give, share, and feel in all times ahead.

Candi, Arnie, Michelle & Josh

Tucker had been coming to Camp since he was a puppy, when we first started in Orange county. He was a big loveable golden retriever that was always so happy to see us and be here with us. He was one of our "house" dogs, who would come in and be a member of our family. We even had the privilege of watching his two legged siblings grow into adulthood, as they were "pups" too when he first came to Camp. He will be greatly missed by us and his wonderful family.

Howie came to Camp for the first time in July of 2004. He was happy and frisky, a typical sheltie. We called him our "microwave dog", as whenever we would use the microwave he would bark. He loved running with the big dogs, making sure everyone stayed in line. He was always excited at meal time! Howie will be greatly missed.

The first week of March 1995, J.J., a co worker from the deaf school was driving down the street somewhere and was appalled when she saw a man spraying something at a dog. J.J. took the dog, knowing that she could not take him home because her two dogs were not "friendly" to other dogs, she decided to bring him to school and announced, "Who would like to adopt a dog she found?" So, quickly I ran to the office and said I would take him. I had just moved into my first home a few weeks earlier. Right then, "Carmel" was in my life. He got his name because his fur was of carmel or caramel color. Took him to the vet to have him checked and come to find out by checking their teeth he was about six months old. We didn't know what breed he was. Soon, I checked into different sources to see if he could be trained as a "hearing ear dog". Karen from the Hearing Ear Dog organization tested him and he was a candidate and from there she helped me trained him. My good friend, Barb helped practice the duties Carmel was to do. Such as to wake me up by jumping on the bed and paw me, get me when someone is at the door when he thought someone came to visit him not me, alerts me when someone calls my name, smoke alarm goes off, and surprisingly he alerted me to some strange noises from the car by the way his was moving his head and ears perked up. Carmel was a quick learner. Since he was a certified hearing ear dog, he pretty much went everywhere with me when he had his special leash and vest on. Carmel was a certified hearing ear dog, he was able to travel with me. We've flown to Michigan every summer to see Nana and Uncle Geoffrey. He sat on the floor in front of me on the plane, and on some occasions when there was an empty seat he had his "own" seat. Some flight attendants were dog lovers too. They say, we won't tell anyone. Some passengers thought Carmel was very cute and well behaved. We stayed a month in Michigan. Carmel loved to watch at, look for, yip at, and chased the squirrels. He'd try to climb up the tree to get them. Duh!!! We've been to conferences and he would be the "king" on his own bed watching TV in the hotel room while I attended meetings. Of course, I covered the top of the bed with a sheet. He was a good traveler. He loved to go for car/van rides. In the last few years, we found a great dog care center that is wide open on a acre of land, where he was free to run, play, and sleep anywhere in "Camp Ilene's home. They had their treats and naps and he would come home dog-gone tired. On Tuesday Oct. 23rd, after years of being my best friend, my sole companion, hearing ear dog and more, Carmel peacefully went to meet the Lord . Carmel was a beloved dog and friend and will be deeply missed.

More dogs that have gone beyond the Rainbow Bridge....