She will be missed forever. She was our heart.
-- Sara and Milton Downs
Tributes to Sparkie
Sparkie Photo Album
Your Local Shelters
Beagle Rescue
Dog Breed Rescues
Cat Breed Rescues
Thank you to the veterinarians, vet techs and staff at Pender Veterinary Centre who cared for little Sparkie.
With particular thanks to Drs. Bollenbeck, Denny and Hish, and with deepest gratitude to Dr. Simpkins for her compassion and support at a very difficult time.
Sparkie Downs (aka dogdog or beeeeeegle) was a significant inspiration for PaLC's work, and a tremendous ambassador for "second hand senior" pets. She was the sweetest natured creature, full of style and personality, who inspired several former "petless" families to bring some fur (and a lot of love and joy) into their lives!
She lived a long, a full and a much loved life, with her favorite places being the beach at Cape Cod where she spent her summers, Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, and the kitchen (any house will do!)
Sparkie Downs, adopted 1999
1989 to 2004
Sparkie gallantly struggled with liver disease for the last few months of her life. On June 19th she had another relapse, and after two days in the Intensive Care Unit it became clear she was not going to pull through. She came home to be in familiar and comforting surroundings and her family helped her to go gently in their arms on June 21st, 2004.
Sparkie enjoyed people and places, and especially kitchens, until the very last. (See more photos of this very special senior here.)
In Sparkie's honor and memory
may we make the following suggestions:
- Make special time every day for your pet
- Consider adopting a homeless adult or senior pet
- Sponsor a homeless pet at your local shelter or rescue organization in Sparkie's name
- Donate to PaLC in Sparkie's name
- Donate to your favorite humane or veterinary cause in Sparkie's name
- Assist a senior citizen or low-income family to provide medical care for their beloved pet (Some humane organizations and veterinarian practices have special funds for this purpose.)
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T R I B U T E S
In Sparkie's Honor & Memory
Carol and Benjy Rakatansky
Chris and Ken Westbrook
Fran, Mark, Nick and Kelsey Moore
Drs. Gail and Joseph Golab
Lenore Boulet
The Staff of Pender Veterinary Centre
Milton and Sara Downs
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Sparkie's Photo Album: A celebration of a very special life!
Please let us know if you have done something in Sparkie's honor, so that we may include your name on the list of her friends.