VGSR sends deepest condolences to longtime VGSR Volunteer Susan Lynch and her family on the loss of Athenia on March 30, '09. Susan writes, "This afternoon we made the very difficult decision to send sweet Athenia to the Bridge - she was 14 and 1/2. Athenia had been declining over the past year due to degenerative myelopathy. Athenia was a lovely grey-muzzled girl with unmatched dignity from the day that we took her into foster care - as a 12 year old. She had been put out of her home after 12 years and left as a stray on the street. The local animal shelter recognized her and knew that she had been with a family for her entire life. When we brought Athenia into our home we found her to be loving and affectionate with people, truly great with cats and "assertive" with dogs. Athenia quickly settled into life with us and was always affectionate and grateful for her human time. She had beautiful brown/dark blue eyes that danced whenever she got a tummy rub. Athenia was adopted out after about six months with us - but was returned to us after only a few months because she was starting to show signs of getting old. We took Athenia back and pledged to her that she would remain with us for the rest of her life where she would certainly be loved, appreciated, and safe. After giving her a few days to enjoy the Spring sun, flowers and wind - we sent her to the Bridge where her dignity will be forever intact and she will escape the limits of her disease. We miss you sweet girl."

Love,

Susan, Fran and Sophia