Australian Shepherds - Tribute

Calvert's Lady of S'mores

Cookie

Cookie was my first foster dog when I joined ARPH three years ago. She was 6 years old and was rescued from a disgusting puppy mill where she lived for about 5 years. Her home all that time was a kennel that was rarely cleaned, so she lay in her own feces and urine. Food was thrown over the kennel door every other day if she was lucky, and she ate it from wherever it fell. Water was a scummy mess in the bottom of a bucket. Cookie was bred at almost every heat.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Cookie was a very special girl. We bonded so very tightly and she was always at my side, so we adopted her. She was so fearful at first; had never been inside a home. Every little noise scared her - a drawer opening, a cupboard closing. Over time, with lots of love and patience that with her was so easy to give, she blossomed into a confident, outgoing girl. She was my constant companion.

Cookie helped me with new foster dogs, teaching them right from wrong with a gentle firmness that was a pleasure to watch. Probably because Cookie was spayed late in life, and had borne so many puppies, she developed mammary cancer in Spring of 1999. After three surgeries, it became apparent that the cancer was winning, and we decided there would be no more surgery.

On October 7, 1999, we held our girl in our arms and told her how much we loved her while we let her go to the Rainbow Bridge. Cookie loved me so much, and I'll never love another dog as much as I loved her.

Cookie - you're my very special angel, and I'll see you again one day. I love you, Mom

Owned, loved and sadly missed by Mary & Clesson Fillerup

Cookie Crumbs

Sweet was my Cookie
when all they
Left you were crumbs.
Oh, lucky me
When I found you
and you chose us to be
Your forever family!

Those soft Aussie eyes
so gorgeous and brown
They melted our hearts
and we needed to show
That while others let you down
with us, all you'd know
Is an endless supply
of the simple things
That would now be your life.

Showers of treats,
good food...a warm bed.
Never an idle hand--
always stroking your head.
With love and tenderness
what lessons you taught
To all the new friends
that looked and sought
The mother in you.

To us you embodied
all that is good,
And your memory remains
as well it should.
So, our angel, our love,
as we must say good bye
We honor your spirit
by keeping it alive.

Until we meet at
the great Rainbow Bridge
Enjoy the sunshine
that you so sadly missed
At your beginning
here in this life.
And soon, our Sweet Cookie
we'll be at your side
And gazing once more
in those soft brown eyes.

by amj '00**

**Annette M. Jaeger is an Aussie Rescue rep in Florida.

Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2000 19:55:50 -0400
From: Laura Kelley llkelley@UNITY.NCSU.EDU
Subject: ANNOUNCING ARPH POSTER DOG OF 2000 CONTEST WINNER.

Hello Everyone. This year we had quite a few WONDERFUL entries for the ARPH Poster Dog of 2000 contest and after many weeks of debate and deliberation we finally made our decision. ALL of our entries would have made great ARPH poster dogs and we encourage ALL of them to apply again next year for the title. Thanks to everyone for all the great entries! now for the big announcement.....

~~~~DRUM ROLL PLEASE~~~~~

The ARPH Fundraising Committee has selected..... Calvert's Lady of S'mores -- "Cookie" ARPH #836 (deceased) for the honor of ARPH Poster Dog of 2000. Cookie was owned and loved by Mary Fillerup, ARPH volunteer in Southern California.

For those of you who do not know Cookie's story in rescue... Her full story and picture was in the Nov/Dec 1996 Aussie Times, as she was part of that Schmuch puppy mill rescue. She had to be held at the shelter for six months before she could be released to foster care, because she was evidence. :( Cookie was Mary's first foster dog.... and the one who stole her heart. With love, patience, and a little help from Mary, Cookie overcame her past, learning to love and to trust, becoming a wonderful Aussie spokesdog and therapy dog. Cookie spent the next few short years at Mary's side helping her with the new foster dogs and visiting folks in the community - spreading smiles where ever she went.

Mary Fillerup has some pics and more of Cookie's story on a tribute website that Jeni Gallichan created for Mary: (that's here!!!)

Cookie was selected as she represents the potential in each Aussie if given the love and support and a chance in life... one who is loving, willing to be by the side of the owner, overcoming her past life to focus on the present and being the best family dog she could be!

ARPH Poster Dog of 2000 is Calvert's Lady of S'mores -- "Cookie" ARPH #836 (deceased) Look for t-shirts and possibly sweatshirts available at the ARPH booth at the ASCA Nationals in Gainesville, GA in October, 2000

Thank you all for supporting Aussie Rescue efforts!! The ARPH Fundraising Committee

~~ANNOUNCING~~ ~~

NOW AVAILABLE for pre-order~~ 2000 ARPH Poster Dog Shirts Calvert's Lady of S'mores "Cookie" front and back of shirts have Cookie's picture and story respectively shirts are natural color 50/50 T-shirt sizes: T-shirt Prices: M, L, XL, XXL, XXL $15.00 plus $3.20 shipping each [PA residents must also include 6% sales tax] **NOTE** extended sizes **XXL and XXXL shirts** are $2 addition charge for each shirt Sweatshirt sizes: Sweatshirt Prices: L, XL, XXL $22.00 plus $3.20 shipping each [PA residents must also include 6% sales tax] **NOTE** extended sizes **XXL and XXXL shirts** are $2 addition charge for each shirt Here are the details for ordering, and a printable form : "AUSSome Aussie Cookie T-shirts"! http://www.aussierescue.org/fundraisers/orderform2000.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ARPH has a Cookbook! It has 150 recipes (including a few dog-goodie recipes, couldn't forget them!) All profits from the sale of these cookbooks will be used to help Aussies in need. Here are the details for ordering, and a printable form : "AUSSome Recipes"!

http://www.aussierescue.org/fundraisers/orderform2000.htm

http://www.aussierescue.org/fundraisers/fundraisers.htm

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