SKYLER In our hearts

IN MEMORY OF SKYLER AKA SUGAR RAY> 1-05 / 8-29-09

On 1-4-06 I was looking in the paper and saw a very handsome young man by the name of Sugar Ray. I called to see if he was still available and was told yes. I had done alot of research on Boxers and knew of health issues they faced and knowing white Boxers have even more problems my husband and I were willing to adopt. We went to AAR and met this wild man! But we fell in love with him immediately! I knew it would take some hard work to train him to have good manners.

All the hard work paid off Sugar Ray became Skyler Green Meador and with that I trained him and he trained my husband. All was well in the Meador household until 8-21-07 when a small mole on his back right leg looked like he had been bitten there it was swollen. I took him to the vet it was removed and he was diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor Cancer. Through 8 surgeries he ate well and had energy to keep his dad inline! July 29, 2009 just after noon our precious boy lost his battle with cancer. Through it all and now in our grief and loss we were blessed that AAR ia a "No-Kill Shelter" so that we had the opportunity to have this wonderful beautiful boy in our lives. With all those beautiful faces waiting on their forever home, I would never purchase a dog or cat through a breeder, pet store, on the side of the road....etc. I would adopt again or sponsor a dog or cat. Now the wound of losing our boy is still fresh to think of adopting now, but I will continue to support AAR with
a donation like Skyler and I did every December.
Thank You AAR!
Gail Meador

"Angel" Bob

I began volunteering last summer at AAR in Tomball. On my first day in the "smaller dog" room, I noticed a sign on Bob's cage that said (in a nutshell) " I have a liver shunt. It cannot be repaired for numerous reasons. The vet gives me anywhere from 2 months to a year to live". By the third visit there, even with all the loving hands on him in the days, I could not fathom him being terminal, and spending his last days living in the shelter. I took him home that day.
Bob was indeed "special" and I say that with the most sincere smile! We found out that due to his liver shunt, and the toxins in just daily living for him could not be filtered out through the liver properly, he existed in a slightly "drunk feeling" world. THIS explained alot! Bob was brought into our home to join our 9 large dogs, 1 parrot, 2 bunnies, and 1 degu. He was so tiny compared to what any of our "group" had ever seen and due to his complete "silly-self" personality....I truly believe our animal family steered completely clear of him as they remained very unsure of the little guy and his hilarious antics.

Bob entered our homes and our hearts like a whirlwind. He made leaps and bounds being in a "real home"....he began to play (in his own way)....he loved to eat....he was the king of our castle without a doubt. My 7 year old daughter and he became glued together, as she had never had or seen a dog she could carry around. (our 9 are all rescued, as in literally "off the streets" due to being dumped at gas stations near by, etc...) so sadly most large breeds get the short end of the stick due to, well, "being large". So our daughter strolled him in the wagon outside, strolled him in a baby carriage inside, and Bob was happy as could be.

At the end of October, after only 5 months, Bob became very sick, very quickly. By the second day of his illness we had to say goodbye via euthanization. It was bittersweet, but we all knew we had done a selfless act, and understood that we provided him with what we believe were the happiest most spoiled 5 months of his life!! We miss you Bob......may you frolick above in heaven with all your buddies, healthy and disease free for eternity!! Jennifer M. & Family
(and part 2 is coming......shortly after we adopted Radar from AAR.... :-) )