In loving memory of Sally Henry
February 3, 1993 - July 21, 2001
Karen Henry

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write this note. My dear, sweet Sally, the inspiration for the AbleDogs support group's very existence, decided to pass on over to Rainbow Bridge shortly after midnight.  I know that her sister, Gretchen, was there to guide her on her way.

Sally came into my life via the Dallas - Fort Worth Dachshund Rescue program on September 3, 1993.  She had been turned in at the pound by an owner who was moving into a new apartment and didn't want to pay a pet deposit.  She was only 6 months old.  Rescue got her out, vaccinated her, spayed her and allowed me to be her new Mom.  She was full of life! Thanksgiving week of that same year, she was diagnosed as a distemper survivor.  She had begun to stumble and even fall on her rump when she meant to be chasing after a toy.  Apparently that first owner hadn't wanted to pay for a full set of puppy shots either, and the shots she got from Rescue simply came too late to protect her from the diseases she was exposed to while she had waited at the pound.

Sally was the bravest little dog I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I'm sure there were plenty of times during her 8 1/2 years that she was ready to give up, but she never did.  She was so damaged by the distemper that she required a 4 wheeled cart.  She simply wasn't strong enough to support herself using her front legs and a 2 wheeler.  But once she was in her 4 wheeler, she would play with her toys and do her best to be as normal as possible.

Her favorite thing in the world was simply to be held.  She would have been content to be held 24 hours a day.  Oh, how I wish I could steal back the past few days just to hold her and tell her how much I loved her.  My mother is sitting in the living room as I type this, holding Sally and telling her what a special girl she was.  We were just so blessed to have been able to have her in our lives.....

Today, for the first time since she was 9 1/2 months old, my sweet Sally is running free.  Run, Sally!!!!

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