In Remembrance

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers,
but the seed remains. - Kahlil Gibran

Unless submitted with photo, text is written by Under the Wing volunteers.  Donations in memory are welcomed and valued but not required. 
Please Contact Emily Erbs at emilyerbs@gmail.com for information on how to add a remembrance.   

Baar Sherwood
Autoimmune disease took Baar to what comes next at only 4 1/2 years old.  Our baby Baar meant the world to us and he is missed every day. Two blogs were published during his short life. They have tons of stories and photos of Baar and his friends and
can be visited at:
Cleveland Bear Blog
BarrysBlog
Remembered By  Emily Erbs & Joe Sherwood
Geneva

Anthony
I don't have a photo of Anthony.  At least I can't find one.  So instead I'm including a photo of the two kittens he helped save.  Anthony was a good guy who like most of us did his best.   He had a family that included two stepdaughters that he loved dearly even after the divorce.  He fought  the horrific and cunning monster that is heroin.  Sadly that "one last hit" took him just hours after an AA meeting.  
He is missed by many.  He reminds me to appreciate each moment I have with those I love. 
Remembered By Emily and Danielle Erbs

Arwen Ears
Arwen came to the Erbs family from Berea Animal Rescue.  She was very anxious to find a home and was trying to unlatch her cage by sticking her paw through the bars!  Clever and sweet, Arwen was not a hit with the other Erbs' cats but was reluctantly accepted after Morris, a laid back male tiger cat befriended her.  Arwen was very sweet and affectionate. 
She is missed by Morris, John and Deborah Erbs. 
Remembered By Emily Erbs

Beau
A greater companion - in size or in heart could not possibly be found.  Beau spent a glorious life with is family and friends.  He was a loyal, laid back and loving fellow who I'm sure is waiting patiently on the other side for his mom and dad to join him.  He is shown here with little brother Billy.
Remembered By John and Pam Caulkins

Sir Brutus Beefcake
Brutus came to Under the Wing as an elderly dog who was in need of a new start due to changes in the structure of his family.  Brutus immediately bonded with his foster mom,  Danielle Erbs and she soon decided to make him a permanent member of the family.  When her situation changed, Brutus moved in with her parents, UTW members John and Deborah Erbs.  He spent the rest of his life enjoying retirement at the Erbs house.  Brutus loved just about every person that crossed his path.  He was a clever fellow with many hobbies including collecting balls at the dog bark, pick pocketing, scouring the house for any piece of paper he could find and being a devoted companion to his dad.   As his life here wound down, Brutus found a new love - Bow Wow Beach which allowed him to swim and play fetch at the same time. 

Even after he left their home, Brutus never left the hearts of his original family and his mom Elda continued to send toys, treats and support for him to enjoy.  He was surrounded by both his old and new family the day he crossed over.  Brutus will be dearly missed by so many including , John, Deborah, Danielle, Joe, Emily, Matthew, Elda, Michael and Mikki - his canine companion. 
Remembered By Emily Erbs

Buster
We were fortunate to share the last few weeks of Buster's life with him.  After being pulled from an overcrowded shelter where he was facing euthanasia, 10 year old Buster joined the Under the Wing foster group at Northeast Pre Release Center where he was given tons of love and affection by foster mom Kelly and the rest of the team.  Sadly a severe seizure disorder became apparent and while attempts at treatment gave him a little more time to play with his friends and get lots of love and attention from his human care takers, complications ended up taking his life before he could find his forever home.   
Remembered By Emily Erbs and Kelly

Callie
Callie had a list of seven people that she liked.  There was no way to move to eight - if a new friend arrived, the last person on the list was out of luck.  Callie was rescued from a dumpster as a tiny kitten and was a devoted companion and friend to Beth Niksa, Billy DeLancey and Allie DeLancey.  She spent many warm and happy years in their company. 
Remembered By  DeLancey and Niksa Families

Corkie
Anyone who was involved with Lakewood children's soccer probably was familiar with Corkie.  He loved to play with the soccer balls and could fetch for untold hours.  Corkie's life touched many - his time here with us was spent adoring his family and making sure they were nice and safe by barking at visitors. 
Remembered By DeLancey and Niksa Families
Joe Sherwood

Ed Jancar
Those who knew and loved Ed will truly understand the impossibility of summing him up in the space allotted here. Ed spent his time giving mountains of love to his family, human and animal alike. Taken far to young by diabetes complications, Ed never let his physical limitations stop him from giving 100% to those he loved.  While his physical presence is gone, his spirit remains and can be seen in every smile of his much loved grandson Hunter.
 Remembered By Marjorie Jancar & Melanie GiaMaria

Elizabeth Swan
Although she had just recently entered the Peterson Families lives, little Elizabeth Swan had already made quite a mark on their hearts.  She was a very sweet little girl and loved very much by all.  Her ferret brothers will miss her in particular. 
 Remembered By Tammy  and Dylan Peterson

Eva
During a routine Petsmart run, John Erbs spotted two older cats in cages, courtesy of an area rescue.  He soon learned that unlike the rest of the kitties there, these two were from public shelters and were facing euthanasia if not adopted that very day.  Unable to turn his back on a hard luck case, John quipped, "how about two for one?" and ended up leaving with Eva and her friend. 

Eva quickly established herself as John's "Totem cat" and was a treasured member of the family.  Eva had the amazing ability to say "hello" and provided much amusement to everyone she choose to greet.   While she was a kind and gentle soul, she was also fearless.  No dog could intimidate her and she stood her ground showing any dog that crossed her path that cats are not to be trifled with.  Old age took Eva just a few years after she found the Erbs family.   Eva is shown front while cat friend Monster sits further back.
 Remembered By John, Deborah, Danielle and Emily Erbs

CaveBears King Hawken
Hawken moved to what comes next much too young when a defective heart ended his time here.  At only 4 years old, he easily won over the Erbs family who adopted him as a 12 week old puppy.  Sweet loving and courageous, Hawken lived every moment as if it was his last.  He spent many enjoyable hours with friend newfie friend Muckluck who has also crossed over. 
Remembered By John and Deborah Erbs

Idgie
Obviously a wonderfully sweet and affectionate fellow and is shown here with his great friend Jacob.  Idgie was very loved by many included his
 devoted mom Susan.
  Remembered By Susan Hanson & Elizabeth Bach Van Valkenburgh

Max
Max, a Golden Retriever, was a dignified, gentle soul who enjoyed walks in the park, spending quality time with his "mom" and two
companions, and sunning himself in his yard. Not only was he a constant source of joy, but also a playmate, a loving companion and a
loyal confidant. He will always be remembered by his mom, Lisa, and everyone else who knew him.
Remembered by Nicole Troy, Carm Nagella and many others.

Oreo
Life for this beautiful female Akita did not start out well but things took a positive turn when she ended up in the hands of a very loving rescuer - Margret.  Despite Margret's efforts and those of ARWNY (Akita Rescue of New York), as Oreo grew so did an unpredictable case of aggression.  While it is very likely that Oreo's aggression was driven by something outside of her control - like a neurological issue or another physical problem, there was just no way to safely place her in the kind of loving environment she deserved.  As a result the heartbreaking decision was made to let her pass on to what comes next. 

Oreo leaves behind love for her rescuer Margret - who she gave one last kiss to before moving on, and for her friends at ARWNY who tried so hard to care for her as her aggression grew.  We are confident that Oreo has found love and peace from whatever was troubling her in the Summerland.  We hope that this small tribute will help bring some of that peace to those rescuers who tried so hard to find a place for her.   We ask all those who read this to offer a special prayer for Oreo - one of the many that despite all efforts could not be saved. 
  Remembered By Margret

Mr Scruff
Sometimes things start out really badly for really good dogs.  Before he was adopted by a loving family, he was ended up in the hands of a local rescue several times.  It seemed that each time things just got worse for the little fellow.  In fact, shortly before he was adopted by the wonderful family that would treasure him for the rest of his life, he was found being kicked by a group of young boys.  With time, attention and love Scruffy regained his confidence and proved himself a loyal and loving companion.   He is remembered in the following text written by Tosha, a member of his large and loving family.

Scruffy, you were our world and the love of our lives. When we lost you the bottom fell out of our lives. We know when you crossed that Rainbow Bridge you found the paradise you so dearly deserved. No more pain and no more for tears forever just lots of lots of playing ball. My sweets, you will live in our lives forever and ever and will never be forgotten. My precious soul, bless you and thank you for the countless kisses and the unconditional love you showed us as well as taught us. I only hope you felt as loved as we did every minute from you.
God Bless You and Keep You forever!
Remembered by with Love from Mom, Dad, Todd, Tosha, Aaron, Diana, your favorite buddies and nephews, Alex and Christopher and most of all your K9 nieces Payge and Casey

Peaches Marie the Tap Dancing Dog
One day near my 8th or 9th Birthday, my dad pulled into the driveway with a surprise - a young female sheltie mix named Peaches.  Peaches spent the next few days cowering in the bottom of a a bookshelf in the basement but I was not in the least deterred, she was beautiful and sweet and she was my very own dog!  Peaches was a tangle of insecurities - refusing to go more then halfway up the street on walks (she would turn and walk backwards), barking at my dad ever single time he entered a room and more.  But she adored my my sister, my mother and I and was a beautiful gentle companion that valued me more then I deserved.  
I couldn't have asked for a more prefect friend. 

Reagan and Jackson
Both Reagan and Jackson were awesome dogs.  As typical Weims they loved people and thieved on attention. 
Both enjoyed playing outside, Jackson loved playing ball and Reagan enjoyed rolling in the grass. 
Both will always be remembered and greatly missed.
Remembered by Laura Lamb

Sara
To everything there is a season, and a time to everything under Heaven. Ecc. 3:1

The season of the earth life has passed.
The time for her mission with us gone.
But her purpose for being will live forever in our hearts

Abandoned and faced with a severe orthopedic disability, Sara's story could have had a very unhappy ending.  But Northeast Pre Release Center came to the rescue and gave this precious little girl a loving home at their facility where she would want for nothing for the rest for her days.  Sara was a very valuable member of NEPRC and brought joy to many.  She was a faithful friend to all those fortunate enough to have contact with her and was a loving caretaker of puppies and kittens brought into the foster program. 
 She is remembered by many people at NEPRC - especially by the Under the Wing team and her devoted caretaker Theresa.

Scooter and Miss Kitty
Tribute Coming Soon...
 

Shadow
Shadow was a true pack leader to his canine companions, even alerting his humans to a beneath the surface infection that could have cost his canine friend Sophie her life.  Loved by many, he particularly enjoyed the company of women and was an important part of the lives of his family and many of the people that visited the therapy farm he protected from coyotes.  Referred to as a well-behaved wolf and poorly behaved dog, Shadow was mischievous and clever and is already dearly missed by his family, Jackie and Herb Stevenson. 
Remembered by Elizabeth Bach Van Valkenburgh
 

Seamus
Remembered for his amazing personality and greatly missed by his family, especially Kathy Vilevac . 
Remembered by Carmella Nagella

Tahj
Tahj started out as a very special kitty. He was born at our feral colony before we could manage to catch mom Bertha and get her spayed.  Bertha was caring for Tahj and his siblings on top of a now roof  and when Tahj was exploring he fell off - prompting the removal of him and his siblings from the colony.  If Tahj had a middle name it would have probably been personality.  He absolutely loved his canine companion Yankee and the two of them enjoyed wrestling and playing.  In fact, after a brief move with his mom Becky to her new place, Tahj returned home to her parents and Yankee because he simply missed them all too much!  Tahj never lost his spirit of adventure and is remembered for his high level of energy and his strong spirit.  He lived life to the fullest but was sadly called to move to what comes next after a fight with cancer. 

Remembered by Becky Labus and Linda Henderson