Before humans die, they write their last Will & Testament, give their home & all they have, to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I’d ask…
To a poor & lonely stray, I’d give my happy home. My bowl & cozy bed, soft pillows and all my toys. The lap, which I loved so much, the tender, loving touch. The hand that stroked my fur & sweet voice which called my name. I’d will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human’s loving heart of which there seemed no bounds.
So, when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.” Instead, go find an unloved dog. One who’s life has held no joy or hope, and give MY place to HIM.
This is the only thing that I can give… The Love I left behind.
THIS is my inheritance! My Last Will
& Testament.
Dog's Last Will & Testament
Our Angels
Just this side of Heaven is a place called
Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.
~Paul C. Dahm
Ollie
DOB Rescued– 10/22/24
Rest in Peace
OLLIE, an adorable Shih Tzu mix, was owned and loved by our volunteer Pam Roble and her family
Ollie was a stray and Pam found him on the street. He was destined to be in the Roble family, and Pam soon realized what an amazing little therapy dog he could be!
Pam began training with Olivia through our Therapy Dog Initiative in 2022. She continued to train through Chicagoland Dog Rescue under our friend and certified dog trainer Lu Anne Smith.
Pam and Ollie passed their Pet Partners evaluation in 2023 and became a registered therapy dog team with us. We will miss his adorable smile and the way he visited and poked his little head out from his stroller!
He visited right up until 1 one week before he passed. We are grateful that Pam and the Roble family had time to comfort Ollie in his last months knowing the end was near.
We will miss you
Ollie!
Mystery
DOB 4/27/11– 5/18/22
Rest in Peace
MYSTERY, a tiny 26" miniature therapy horse with the biggest heart and SOUL, was the very first miniature therapy horse that Jodie chose. With Lunar & Turnabout, the original "Trio"was the dream of what became SOUL Harbour Ranch, home to the Barrington area and Chicagoland's most experienced Pet Partners registered miniature therapy horse teams.
Mystery was born to be a therapy horse and passed her therapy testing when she was 14 months old! Her polka-dotted silver dappled coat and her pink sparkly sneakers added to her unflappable personality. She gave everyone confidence and over her short lifetime, she became a registered Pet Partners mini therapy horse with FORTY handlers. She was our mascot, our media star, our go-to sweetheart as the face of SOUL Harbour Ranch.
Thank you Mystery for sharing your unconditional love and SOUL with so many. You were SO loved and adored and we will miss you, our "Pretty in Pink" girl, very much.
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE
Jenella
DOB 6/3/12-7/17/15
Rest in Peace
JENELLA, aka “Jennie” or “Jen Jen” was born at the Shades of Blue Ranch.
She was an extremely stunning 28″ blue roan. She had a beautiful head with a white star that looked just like a heart! Not only was she beautiful but she was an amazing little therapy horse.
She visited and brought joy to SO many people. Sadly, despite surgery, Jennie passed away due to colic (she had a rare intussusception).
We know she is with us in spirit.
Thank you to our fabulous vet Dr. Nicky Wessel of Cutting Edge Equine for the amazing care you provided to Jennie through the day and night (and always) and helping us with decisions.
Thank you Dr. Chris Downs at Chicago Equine Hospital for doing surgery to give us some answers.
We loved you very much little girl & oh, how we miss you!
Olivia Rose
DOB Rescued– 7/16/24
Rest in Peace
OLIVIA ROSE, a gorgeous Wiemaraner, was rescued, owned and loved by Vicki Boyle.
Olivia was rescued from Texas as a stray. While she was fostered, it was clear that she was a very special dog. She was kind no matter what the circumstances were, which weren't always kind.
Vicki adopted Olivia Rose and there was an immediate bond. The dream of becoming a therapy team was put into motion!
Vicki connected with SOUL Harbour Ranch and began training with Olivia through our Therapy Dog Initiative. She continued to train through Chicagoland Dog Rescue under our friend and certified dog trainer Lu Anne Smith.
In June, 2024, Vicki and Olivia fulfilled the dream...they passed their Pet Partners evaluation and became a registered therapy dog team.
Sadly, Olivia had internal health issues that required surgery and she passed away; however, she made an enormous impact on
SO many.
Touka
7/1/12 ("gotcha day") - 3/20/22
Rest in Peace
TOUKA, a stunning black and white “tuxedo” cat, was loved and owned by Therese Cramer. Touka was a stray and picked Therese to be her human.
Touka was the first therapy cat in the SOUL Harbour Ranch program. She was SUCH an amazing therapy cat! She loved to be held, loved hugs, loved to go for walks on a leash and loved visiting others in a pet stroller as she peeked her head over to see everyone.
Everyone was always amazed to hear that there was such a "thing" as a therapy cat! She definitely was one cool cat.
Therese and Touka passed their Pet Partners evaluation testing in April 2021. They made such an impact on everyone they visited.
She was an ambassador for therapy cats everywhere. While we miss Touka, we are excited that her dog sister "Cuddles" (a former research beagle) is one of our wonderful therapy dogs! She will carry on Touka's legacy at SOUL Harbour Ranch.
Dudley
DOB 11/30/09 ("gotcha day")-
10/15/22 Rest in Peace
DUDLEY (aka “Cuddly Dudley”) was our yellow Dudley lab (a yellow lab coat with the gold eyes and pink nose of the chocolate lab). He was rescued from Almost Home Foundation and adopted by the Diegel family.
Dudley was our founder Jodie's 2nd therapy dog (Buffett was the 1st). He became a registered therapy dog in 2011 and volunteered with Jodie in the AAT program at Northwest Community Hospital. (Together with Buffett, they had over 7,000 visits with hospital patients between 2010-2018).
He loved being a registered therapy dog at SOUL Harbour Ranch and the SOUL Buddies Animal Therapy Club at Barrington High School. He LOVED to be loved and was often one of the easiest therapy dogs for others to handle. Several of the high school students became registered therapy handlers with him!
Thank you Skycrest Animal Clinic for taking the best care of our sweet old man. We miss Dudley SO much!
Buffett
DOB 11/23/09 – 2/29/20
Rest in Peace
BUFFETT, a very stunning
English Cream golden retriever, was Jodie’s first therapy animal and the inspiration for SOUL Harbour Ranch.
He was a very kind old SOUL and he brought his gentle laid-back attitude to everyone he met. Buffett became a certified therapy dog in 2010 and started his therapy work in the AAT/Animal Assisted Therapy program at Northwest Community Hospital.
Together with Jodie & Dudley, they shared their unconditional love at over 7000 patient visits.
Buffett was an integral part the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program and the SOUL Buddies Animal Therapy Club at Barrington High School. He and Dudley were the first registered therapy dogs with SOUL Harbour Ranch, Jodie's SOUL Dogs!
Thank you to everyone that loved Buffett.
We miss you “Big Head!” You were THE inspiration for SOUL!