In Loving Memory
Ben
We are heartbroken to share that our sweet senior, Ben, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Ben came into our care after a lifetime of loyalty, and thanks to the incredible compassion of his hospice foster family, he spent his final chapter surrounded by the dignity and love he deserved. Though his eyes had failed him, Ben’s spirit remained ‘typically Pointer’—stubbornly sweet and expertly ‘crafty’ when it came to claiming the softest dog beds in the house.
To Ben’s foster family: thank you for being his eyes, his comfort, and his home. Because of you, he didn’t leave this world as a dog in transition, but as a cherished family member who was truly known.
Run free and whole again, sweet Ben. You will always have a place in our hearts
Honor Ben’s Legacy: Sponsor a Senior
Ben’s peaceful final chapter was only possible because of the generous support of our community. While Ben has crossed the bridge, there are always more “gray-faced” Pointers waiting for their own soft place to land.
At Illinois Shorthair Rescue (https://shorthairrescue.com/), we cover 100% of the medical and care expenses for our hospice fosters. You can help us provide the next senior dog with the specialized vet care, comfortable bedding, and senior-specific nutrition they need to live their best life, however long that may be.
Goldie
You meet Goldie, and you fall in love with her. She was named Goldie on the ride back from MI, where she was amazing in a 7-hour ride packed with construction and hardly moving. She was seat-belted in up front because puppies were in the back of the car. She was fine and happy as long as she was touching a part of you. When her puppies were going to their new homes, she gave them a kiss. Heart of gold= Goldie
She went on to her foster homes, where she received love and kindness that she more than likely never had before.
Unfortunately, life is not always fair.
Goldie went in for emergency surgery, and she did not make it. Maybe due to her happiness and feeling loved, she did not show many signs of the internal stress her body was going through, or just like GSP fashion, many are good at hiding pain and discomfort. When we noticed it, the foster family brought her to Doc, one of our best surgeons and diagnosticians. Doc came in on his day off to assess and perform surgery. She had the best, but sometimes even with the best, she could not be saved.
Her foster families gave her so much love, and grateful she got to experience it. She did not pass away severely neglected in the home where she was originally from.
She did not just leave a mark; she left a hole in our hearts. Her legacy will live on in her puppies, the RugRat puppies, as you can see a big part of her personality and looks in them.
She was so special, and I hope she has joined our other ISR friends where she is joyous and running carefree at the Rainbow Bridge.
Until we meet again, our sweet golden girl!
Please give your dogs an extra hug and a treat in honor of Goldie!
How You Can Help
* Make a Memorial Gift: Donate via the [ISR PayPal link](https://shorthairrescue.com/donate/) and include a note that your gift is “In Memory of Ben” or for “Senior Hospice Support”.
* Become a Foster Hero: We can only save as many seniors as we have homes for. If you have room in your heart for a hospice GSP, [apply to foster today](https://shorthairrescue.com/volunteer-fostering/).
* Shop to Give: Use code shorthairrescue15 at Pet Wants to get 15% off your order, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly back to our rescue pups.
Every gift helps ensure that no GSP has to face their final days alone.