In Memory

At Arthurshiel we understand the grief and desperate feeling of loss when a much loved pet passes away. Our everlasting candle burns in memory of those who have gone.

On this page we give you the chance to leave a photograph and a short message of remembrance in the hope that it will help you cope with your loss and maybe encourage you to give another animal a new home.

If you wish to make use of this facility please use this link to email your entry to our webmaster.

If it should be, that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For we know this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So,
When the time comes, let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only stay with me until the end,
And hold firm me and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me,
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Do not grieve, it must be you,
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

BASIL

BAZ was a beautiful Gordon setter who was adopted from Arthurshiel in 2002 by Elizabeth.

He fitted in and made himself at home from the moment he entered her house until he passed away in 2006. He is sadly missed and always remembered

Sadly May 2006 saw us lose “Grouse” who was, over the years, an excellent friend and fund raiser for the Centre, he will be sadly missed from many of our Collection Days and other events. He will be remembered with a plaque in the new kennels when they are built.

We found Kim through Arthurshiel 6years ago. She has been a constant source of joy not just to us, but to many, many people. Kim worked with her Mummy in the Occupational Therapy Department of Kirkands Hospital as a Therapy Dog and was the most popular therapist in the Department! She could read people very well and she knew when to be gentle and soft and when to add a bit of rough and tumble, she was a sensitive and gifted dog. She loved to join in with her mummy and daddy's 'muddy' sports and has run and walked her way around many muddy, hilly spots in Scotland, England and Wales. Her favourite holiday spot was with her Gran and Grandad Cotterill in Wales where she played in the sand and the sea. She loved spending her days being spoilt by her Gran and Grandad Watt, who she visited all the time for cuddles and treats. But most of all Kim was Mummy and Daddy's beautiful girl and we will miss her forever.

Susan and Kevin Cotterill

Memory

kim

Where do our pets go when they die

Click on the picture to be taken to a beautiful flash version of this poem created by Terri Pike and Kerry Muzzey

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THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

MISHA

Misha was a rescue dog. We were fortunate enough to find her aged 5 months 'ish in 1999. We lost her to cancer in September 2007. It has been so hard for all of us to come to terms with the loss of our dear friend. She will forever be remembered.

Bill, Cath and Nichola

LAURIE

Laurie was a Shetland sheepdog who I had for 17 years and I loved her to bits, she was never more than a kiss away from me.

"She was the wind beneath my wings"

She was so beautiful and knew every word I said and I spoke to her constantly. She is gone 10 years ago and I still think about her every single day

Jacqueline Kelly

In memory of my beautiful Tonkinese cats, Tiffany (left) and her sister, Sweet, born in America on 19th October 1990. They travelled to Scotland with me when I retired in April 2005. Sweet passed away 13th November 2006 just weeks after her 16th birthday, and Tiffany passed away 20th March 2008 at seventeen and a half.

Sweet and Tiffany, you were my companions and you were very special. You filled my life with love and laughter, and it broke my heart when it came time to let you go, but I know that you are together again, strong and healthy, chasing each other through lush green grass, birds singing, bees buzzing, butterflies flitting through the flowers....and when you need to rest, an angel picks you up and holds you in her lap.

I miss you so much my beautiful girls.

Mammy

SAM

Sam was born at Arthurshiel and spent a lot of time there. Sadly though, in March Sam, who was only 7, was taken ill very suddenly and we lost him just 48 hours later. We miss him very much every day and I still expect to see him wagging in the kitchen when I go down to breakfast. He was such a lovely, lively, happy, handsome, silly dog. He would get excited when he knew he was going to work, spinning round and round until he almost fell over :) He also loved going to visit his family at Arthurshiel when we went away. Oh and digging was his favourite hobby! He went too suddenly,when he was too young and full of life. He's irreplaceable.

Please pass our heartfelt thanks on to Shona and Tom for their care and kindness. Sue Shone

In memory of Bruaich

Sadly my brave cross border collie Bruaich died at the weekend after a short illness. He was unique as he was disabled and rattled around on his wheels. His spirit is now free to run with tail held high. He is sorely missed. Fiona McCall

HARRY

Shona,

As you may or may not know, we moved to Germany last October and took Harry with us. He enjoyed playing with so many new friends on the river Main and got his trust in other dogs back. He was so much more confident.
However in March Harry became very ill, he stopped eating and drinking and no vet around here could find the cause. He fought so hard but sadly on the 29/04/09 after he collapsed and lost lots of blood we had to let him go over the rainbow bridge.
You cannot imagine how much we miss him, he will always be with us and next year when we go back to Scotland we will bring him back to "his" garden.

I have enclosed a picture from when we got him from you and before we left to go to Germany.

Thanks for trusting us to give him a second chance and we could be the proud owners of Harry the Lurcher for the last 7 years!!!!!!

Mandy, Dave and the kids Liam and Kara,

Lucy Taylor

Lucy was our beloved English Springer who passed away in our arms on 11th May 2009, she was fifteen & a half & had lived with us since she was 8 weeks old. Lucy became ill last November with a tumour on her pelvis which came through the outer skin, we dressed the wound every day & it closed over only to reappear on her leg. Lucy never complained & in the end the cancer was down her leg, in her hip & tail, we made a game of carrying her outside the last month or two to avoid her having to go down the steps & she just cuddled into us. The night before she passed on I was bathing her & she just looked at us & asked to go, she didn't eat that day & her tail stopped wagging. Lucy leaves her daughter Lara behind with us & Tiggs the cat & we miss her so very much.

Paul and Liz Taylor

HI SHONA AND TOM CAN YOU REMEMBER JERRY LEE WHO WE GOT FROM YOU IN JANUARY 1999. SADLY HE PASSED AWAY ON TUESDAY THE 21st JULY 2009 AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH ARTHRITIS AND STOMACH PROBLEMS. WE STILL HAVE ELSA SHE SEEMS TO BE COPING ON HER OWN AT THE MOMENT, WE WILL SEE HOW SHE GOES MAYBE IN TIME WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER DOG ITS UP TO ELSA. RIP JERRY LEE BORN JULY 16th 1998 PASSED AWAY 21st JULY 2009

07581-878393

"Tash came to us from Arthurshiel in 2002, aged around 5/6. She sadly passed away in my arms yesterday 26th January 2010. She was an intelligent, loving old lady who loved her walks and swims in the river. There's a big empty space where she used to be and I'm grateful to her for the years of happiness she's given us. Be at peace Tashie, you'll always live in our hearts.

Debbi, Gordon and Skye"

Dear Jim I was just on your website and I read the in memory section and was wondering if you could put my cat up there. I lost him when we were told he had terminal liver cancer and had to be put to sleep it took two weeks to come to terms with what i had to do, he was with me from the day I took him home from a rescue centre he wasn't expected to live then as he had FIP. Against all odds he did he wasn't like your average cat he liked hugs and brushing even though he was an indoor cat you could shout walkies and he would pop out and see the neighbours he was loved by all that met him. My hamsters loved him and he liked it when they crawled on him he would watch the birds for hours and they knew they were safe he never hurt a soul. It came as a nasty shock for his life to end this way. I love him to bits and always will

Rachel Daniels

In loving memory of BOSUN

Bosun, a tan terrier cross, was a rescue dog and lived with us for about 12
years.
Sadly, "Bo" passed away on 12th February 2010.
I miss him greeting me,the walks,the times we spent together and his
playfulness.
He was my companion and will always be remembered - I miss him so much.

Sarah O'Connor