Cassie McAvoy

OUR LOVELY LADY (17.1.2019)

Then called Cassandra, she was Lizzie’s best friend in Romania. Cassie, sadly crossed Rainbow Bridge today. It was at home and very peaceful with her family around her and, despite it being mid January, the sun shone beautifully all day as it had done for Gizzie and Sprocket.

It was Cassie’s time. She had an inoperable cancer and she had almost completely stopped eating. Belinda and Terry had to make that awful decision for her but could take comfort from knowing that Stella and her sisters as well as Ellie May and Millie would all be there waiting for her. They would all be fit, well and happy at Rainbow Bridge and having a whale of a time.

Pauline told Belinda she had asked Gizzie to cast his angel eyes over everything and he was spinning like crazy and showing off in the fields of freedom at Rainbow Bridge. All the girls, who were waiting there with him, were laughing at his crazy antics and they were all so happy knowing another special friend was on her way to join them.

When Pauline spoke to Belinda a few days later, they were reminiscing about them financing the rescue together with Chrissie and about Denise collecting Cassie and Lizzie from the holding stables then bringing them down to Stonehenge services.

They had taken Cassie home and Ali took Lizzie. Lovely, brave Lizzie seemed all right and got out of the van but Cassie wouldn’t even stand up so Terry had to carry her to their car.

It was amazing poor Lizzie had made it over at all as she had been so ill in Romania and it had been touch and go. They both had one hell of a life as breeders before being rescued. Being no more than number to them, Lizzie even had clips on her ears like you see on cattle.

We thanked goodness for the kind people from both countries who had made sure they were safe and well cared for. With the very best homes possible awaiting them, they were given a proper chance and they both found total happiness in their Autumn years.

Cassie did especially well and had a good four and a half years of pampering and love. She is very much missed especially by Belinda as Cassie was her shadow when she wasn’t chilling in the garden with her good friend Abi.

SWEET DREAMS CASSIE

Goodbye for now, sweet lady. We're sad to see you go.
 We loved you very, very much, more than you'll ever know
 In rescue with dear Lizzie, both used for giving birth
 To litter after litter. Your lives were hell on earth

The shelter in Romania was what they call "high kill".
We paid for vets to help you but Liz was very ill
 Touch and go they told us, as she clung so hard to life
 Survival was in God's hands and balanced on a knife.

But, thank the Lord, now well enough, you came across the water
 With love and care you flourished then became your fosterers' daughter
 Like Millie, Connie, Stella, Ellie May and Abi too
 You learned that people could be kind and generous to you

 You thought boy dogs did just one thing. You had to learn to trust
 But lovely brother Vinnie only wanted to be fussed
 Your biggish ears defined you. You started to fill out
 You loved your doggy family and followed them about.

They taught you to trust humans especially your Mum
 Always there to cuddle you and fill your empty tum
 On walks, you stayed by your Mum's side, stuck to her like glue
 You knew how special her love was and you adored her too.

 You helped as foster dogs appeared and then you watched them go
 Off to their forever homes, a good job done you know
 After you, two needy girls came and joined your pack
 Old Bunty's in retirement, lodger Ella can't go back

 One by one your sisters have, sadly, become frail
 Their once strong, healthy bodies began to ail and fail
 First Stella joined the angels. Not long after Lizzie too
 They took the path on Rainbow Bridge to play in pastures new.

 Then one year on and Ellie May ascended to the sky
 She gained her Golden angel wings and quickly learnt to fly
But she didn't soar too high, her friend was overdue
 Brave Millie finally let go and went to Heaven too.

All the girls together and surrounded by more mates
 They welcome new arrivals, standing silent by the gates.
 There to greet Lab Louis then Sprocket came with Gizzie
 Who, typically, barked with glee to say "Let's go and all get busy"

 So, off they went to play and play, all young and well again
 But ready for newcomers freshly freed from earthly pain
 And so it was for Cassie when she needed to be free
 Released with love and flying high. That's how it had to be.

The sun was shining brightly the day you went away.
 And coming home forever, was another sunny day
 Remembering your lovely face and how you really smiled
 Always very gentle, never mean, just meek and mild

 Even with the treats on hand, no snatching always gentle
 But fear of sudden noises and loud voices drove you mental
 Remembering our little star, now twinkling in the sky
 Farewell for now sweet angel. This, for sure, is not "Goodbye"
 

HISTORY

In 2014, Cassandra was a ten year old Golden Retriever (who we initially understood to be younger but her passport proved otherwise). She came to the UK from a high kill shelter in Romania. Her rescue and medical care had been funded by private donors and Irish Retriever Rescue assisted with her rehoming. She went into foster in Somerset.

On her initial arrival into her foster home, Belinda said “Cassie has shown herself to be very timid and we feel that time and love will be a great healer for her. She is gentle with our other dogs and has taken to following them and me around the house. We feel, therefore, that she may benefit from being rehomed with another calm, perhaps older, dog. We are certain that Cassie would need someone at home much of the time to reassure and care for her and to give this lovely girl the life she deserves.

December 2014

After trying very hard to resist, Cassandra’s fosterers have failed yet again – she will be staying with Belinda and Terry in her Forever Home and she will be forever Cassie. No surprises there then!!!!!!!!!