The Heart of Col. Potter - Please light a candle for JB at the Rainbow Bridge

Written by CP Volunteers and JB's foster mom


JB joined the CP family in January. He was 9 years old and came with only his 4 canines left in his mouth. He was mostly deaf and his vision was poor. He went to a foster home in TX and he was a really, really quiet little guy. He wasn't much on contact with humans, not that he acted scared, rather uninterested. He grew to like being in a home with good food, comfy places to lie down and a nice backyard to potty in and roam around and the company of other dogs.

Unfortunately JB had a stroke or a seizure several days ago. He'd been at the emergency vet ever since getting care 24/7. At first things seemed hopeful but on May 31st, the vet had a different outlook. JB had lost control of his back legs and also of his bowel and bladder. The vet said that JB had very little quality of life and he didn't feel that it would be fair to JB to leave him as he was with little hope of possible recovery. JB's grieving foster mom adopted him so that he went to the Bridge with his own family. Please light your candle for JB and keep his foster mom in your heart.

It's heartbreaking that he only had four months out of a commercial breeding facility but we have to be grateful that he had that much even though it was definitely not enough.

JB was the little boy that found such comfort in his crate with a soft, warm blanket in it during his transport upon pick-up to the vet and was so soundly asleep upon arrival, they thought he was dead until they touched him and his little old, cloudy eyes opened. That was probably the first time in his entire life he had been warm and comfortable on a cold winter's day...

This boy didn't know love, care or comfort for very long, but he did know it thanks to CP and his foster family. JB, do what you have never been able to do - RUN FREE AND HEALTHY as a young dog would. Our candle is lit and I'm checking the night sky for the newest bright shining star ...

Col. Potter rescues cairns which many consider too old, too sick or unadoptable. JB exemplifies the heart of Col. Potter. He was adopted before he went to the Rainbow Bridge and will always be loved and remembered by the entire Col. Potter family.

Welcome JB and Ranger to CP - In Memory of a Loving Husband

Many aspects of rescue work are difficult ... having to say no to those we can't help, seeing the condition of some that we can help, and ultimately, despite our best efforts, still having them pass on to the Rainbow Bridge way too soon. But there is also the human emotional side that many times we don't see. Our Name a PM Kid program is a wonderful way to honor someone or give the gift that keeps giving. All the tributes are wonderful and so meaningful, but some just touch you a little more than others. So was the case with this particular donation. I could feel the love and memories still very much alive even though the particular person the donation was in memory of has been gone quite a few years. I hope John is pleased with my selection of the two boys named in his memory and honor. They are vastly different in many aspects including stage of their life, medical condition and even behavior, but I couldn't think of a better pair to cover the spectrum that was John's life. Sandy, THANK YOU for sharing your wonderful husband with all of us ...

I am honored to present to all of CP:

JB - male, black brindle, estimated to be at least 9 years old. This poor older boy has very few teeth remaining, clouded eyes and was so happy and contented to be on a soft towel in a warm crate on the way to the vet yesterday that he was totally at ease and sound asleep when they arrived.

Ranger - male, wheaten, 5 years old. This boy has the "big" eye syndrome and shows his fear by trying to "swim" away from the human holding him.

JB and Ranger were donated names from Sandy B. and she wrote: "My husband's name was John B. and he was a Park Ranger with Washington State Parks. His friends called him, JB. He passed away May, 1994 following his bone marrow transplant for multiple myeloma, bone marrow cancer - attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange when he served in Viet Nam." I hope you will all agree that CP's JB and Ranger personify what John stood for - a man who served his country, then worked to help people enjoy animals and nature, but didn't get to enjoy a long life. May John be looking down on JB and Ranger to keep them safe and give them a chance to enjoy freedom and a new life.