I opened an email headlined Rose Caldwell 2001-2009 early this morning and was confused for a few minutes. Who died?
My bleary brain started working as I read on. Rose - our little Rose. She was one of our all time favorite dogs. She lived with us for the good part of a summer while recovering from a rough beginning. Her adopter attached BR's Happy Ending bio for Rose to this sad note as part of her eulogy:
Miss Rose
'This beautiful creature achieved a sad form of celebrity status when she was removed from 3 Oakland youths who later pled guilty to setting another pit bull puppy (Theo) on fire. True to their brave and hardy breed, neither the hairless (mange infected) Rose nor the severely burned Theo showed any lasting ill effects from their crappy beginnings. Like a Little Elfin Queen, Rose kept her impish personality and tomboy confidence, and never failed to offer cheerful greetings to an adoring public wherever she went -even (and especially) children.
She embodies so many qualities that are classic pit bull that having her around made us fall in love with the breed all over again. Rose is a VERY smart, responsive little dog ever eager to show the world how incredibly vivacious her pit bull kin folk can be. She was adopted by an active SF couple and their pit mix male. She gets to jog with her athletic 'daddy' and anxiously awaits her opportunity to play Nanny's Helper to the couple's soon-to-be-arriving first child. Congrats to everyone in this busy, loving family.' 
Attached to the email was over a dozen photos outlining Rose's life with her adopters: Camping adventures, a pregnant belly being inspected by a gentle Rose, heaped on the sofa with a new baby, a car ride next to a toddler, dress up parties, endless cuddling sessions by an affectionate family. My eyes burned with tears. This former cruelty victim's new life had been meticulously recorded as she participated in every important family event. She was family, no doubt, and will always be a part of the Caldwell's memories. We couldn't ask for a happier ending to the story of Rose.From her human mom:
Dear FriendsI just wanted to let you know that our beloved Rosie was put to rest this morning around 8:30 am. Rosie was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer and a tumor in her abdomen which had likely spread to her lungs. Our family is very sad.
Rosie was truly one of the best living creatures I have ever known. A wonderful family dog from beginning to end, Rosie endured countless "riding" and dress up by toddler girls. A wonderful companion and friend, she is terribly missed in our home.
Best
Kristin, (Robert, Lola, and Skye Caldwell)
Our heart goes out to the Caldwell family for their painful loss. Rest in peace little prick eared Rosie. You did such a good job here on earth.
35 comments:
I'm crying a little. Good girl, Rose.
yeah me too, imagining how Rose's family feels, especially the little girl. What a good dog.
A Rose by any other name....my heart goes out to them, but what a wonderful experience for ALL of them during the years they were able to share. Good dog Rose!
Peace, little Rosie. That last photo of the little hands and Rosie's toes (Rosie's toesies?) was the one that started the tears flowing.
Oh my, that last photo....what a girl!
Awwww. That made me tear up :(
What a great dog, and her story is a testament to the pit bull perseverance.
Wishing a little peace for Rosie's grieving family.
Jen
Donna, I think the photo of the child holding the dogs paws would make an excellent edition to your calendar, it speaks volumes even though it doesn't show the entire dog. It just says love.
Oh this made me cry so! The last photo of the child hands and Rose's paws just touched me so deeply. Thanks for sharing!
What lucky little girls Lola and Skye are to not only have known a wonderful dog but to have such loving parents. Everyone should be so blessed.
May happy memories gently ease your sorrow Caldwell family.
Holding hands, oh my........
Thank you Rose.
Rosie was the only dog that I ever said "Ooooh noooo" about at first sight. We walked into the shelter knowing that we were going to take on this cruelty case sight unseen. We saw her walking down the hall towards us from about sixty feet and as a pup I could tell she was going to be trouble. She was just an impish, mousey brown, prick-eared skeleton with mange and hellyin eyes. I wondered who would ultimately end up with the little street urchin once she had healed - she quickly became my favorite she-devil, but I wondered if she would ever settle down. We made jokes about her being practically feral as she was raised by kids who were trying to fight her and lighting her mate on fire. The one thing she learned from them was to RUN, she was one slippery little eel!
Rosie changed like a chameleon once with the Caldwells. She settled down a ton and blended right in with this very relaxed family - she was just a different dog. I guess she knew she was home. I was thinking of Rosie fondly just yesterday and will never forget that little angel of a dog.
God bless them all.
I guess God needed another angel, and she was a beauty! Rest in peace sweet girl!
i am crying now, the loss of a beloved four legged family member is one of the most heartbreaking things ever. may her family find peace in knowing that despite her rough start in this world, rose had the chance to know such immense love during her last couple years here. all dogs should be so fortunate. you were lucky to have her and she to have you.
Big tears. What a beautiful girl. Glad she had such a great life with her family. She sure knew how lucky she was.
I'm in tears..what a wonderful Pit Bull ambassador :) RIP...
Rest well Rose. You were a very good girl.
me too, love the paws picture, and my eyes are teary. funny some people love THEIR dog. Pit People love ALL pitties
Rest well sweet one. You were obviously LOVED and so blessed to have the those years in loving home! The pain of your loss will fade but you never lose the love she left in your hearts.
You never fully understand the meaning of true love until you have been loved by a Pit Bull.
And you only discover the true depth of heartbreak when it is time for you to say goodbye.
Sleep well Rose.
Rosie's family,
You invested well and it sustained your compasion to the final decision. May you not let go of the positive memories, for a heart broken from such a loss opens-up for even greater love.
I sit here holding back the tears as I thought I was being strong. See, I lost my 85 year old mother yesterday evening. I wish I could say that I'm coping because of the wife, family and friend support. While important, they can take as much as they give. What gets my mind staight and my focus back, is a big-bobble-head, Bully Dog called Boris.
You see Buck cracked our family heart with his loss to cancer two years ago, about this time. Boris came into our life shortly after. Boris provides grounding and unconditional compassion. Still, as we live far away, all I could share with my mother through her suffering was Boris stories. Yet, they kept us both smiling.
As I felt my chin drop today, I got that 'big look' from Boris saying, 'stay present' respect her memories by appreciating the moment.
My mom had some good dogs in her life. Now I believe she'll get acquanted with a great one, as she finds Buck in her pack by her side.
The Rosie's and Buck's, like my mom, ask us to be better people. By staying grounded in the moment, I can accept that challenge.
Boris' OEL
p.s. Donna - we need to have some more calendars for pictures. Maybe call one from Family 'left behind'. I'd send in picture of Ol' Jake and Buck.
This is how a dog, especially a Pittie, should be remembered. Loved, adored, with socks on their feet because their favorite little person loved them enough to put them there.
This is why we all love our beasties. And we do our best to help others find the joy that we have.
Peace and comfort to the Caldwell's and those who had the privledge to know Rose.
Run and Play Rose.
I'm crying at my desk at work. The photos of her engrossed in daily life with her family are priceless. RIP, Rose, and know that you were loved.
Oh Rose. You are beautiful. What an awesome family, and an amazing dog. THIS is why we fight so hard for these dogs.
I loved the socks picture, too. And what ears! I hope they know the best way, when they are ready, is to save another one. My thoughts are with you all as we lost a beloved lab-chow mix in July to cancer at age of only 9. Sniff, sniff!
that comment about us pittie people loving all pitties is so very true. i love all dogs but pit bulls hold a very special place in my heart. they always have and always will. I too think rose should be in the calendar. that pic of the childs hands on those loving paws is priceless.
My deepest sympathies to the Caldwell family for your loss. Just remember that you supported and Loved Rosie to the end, and that meant everything to her!!
God bless you and your family!!
Mike Sweeney
I'm glad that the Caldwell's had a chance to provide such a loving home for Rose. Few pit bulls truly get the chance. I'm also glad that Rose was able to provide love for the Caldwell's and others.
Kevin Padden
I wish that Rosie has found her second home in heaven and is well cared for by her creator!
LeahG of
1800PetMeds Blog
My heart goes out to her family. It is miserable to lose a dog you love but doubly miserable when it comes so, so early. Please pass along my sincere condolences.
My deepest sympathies to Rosies family. Rest in peace Rose.♥
what a beautiful posting and blog..
you are my hero this week.
Sammy of stayingsoberwithsam.blogspot.com
check me out too:)
sammy landry the Shih tzu..
I was rescued from a store that was about to send me back to a puppy mill because I was TOO SMALL for my breed and nobody would buy me:( For 8 months of my life I never ever went outside or saw the light of day or pee peed like a real puppy..Thank goodness I have a home that loves me now..I go to the beach and play with balls and stuff..LOVE IT.
Now I'm using my wisdom to help some folks stay sober out there..
hope it works..
sammy
My most heartfelt condolences to all whose lives she touched. RIP Rose. The image of your paws held by your child's hands will stick with me forever.
This photo of the dog and child holding each other is a classic. It brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful soul you are Rosie. Rest in peace. My dog died the same way so I know their pain. What wonderful dogs these dogs really are. The only thing coming between them and us is discrimination.
Oh Rosie, rest in happiness. Thank you to the Caldwells for being such fantastic family to this girl, thank you BAD RAP for rescuing her and thank you dear Rosie for being such an ambassador to your breed. Shine on sweet girl!
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