Peaceful Paws Clarion

Dixie is a chocolate lab, born September 12, 2010 and gently and lovingly released from her earthly form on June 26, 2025.  She loved being outside in the winter, playing in the snow; spring and summer were spent chasing baby birds that had ventured from their nests; fall was meant for playing in the fallen leaves.  Dixie was a counter surfer and we soon learned that anything and everything was fair game if left on the counter when we left.  Dixie loved her family.  She loved to play fetch with a tennis ball and would play for hours.  There were times she would go on what we called a walk about.  Not sure how far back into the woods behind the house she actually went, but after a few hollers she came back; usually in need of a bath, she always found the best stinky stuff to roll in !!  She had her share of car rides and was always excited to go to Ohio to see her human sister and family:  never resting until we got there, pacing back and forth in the back seat until we arrived.  As she aged, she started having mobility issues due to arthritis; but it never hindered her appetite when we ate!  She circled the table until we finished and she got some table scraps.  Dixie also lost her hearing the last year or so.  But she could smell you were gone and would come searching.  Dixie loved doggy bags, well food of any variety!  She expected a clamshell with something, eve if it was only two or three bites, when we came home from an outing.  She will be  missed always.  She lived a great life and our hearts are filled with so many memories.  

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Our dog, Simha, passed away last week.  After a couple years of hip dysplasia, the pain became too unbearable for him to walk and he let me know that it was his time.  Against all odds with a softball sized tumor on his spleen for years and a cyst on his kidney, he died at the ripe old age of 15 or 16 which is definitely the top end of his breed''s lifespan.  

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A golden chow, a lion king, Simha ruled our hearts and protected our family.  Loyalty was the most to him, as family was everything.  

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He started off as a stray somewhere near Morgantown, WV and was picked up by the pound.  He was sent to Greensburg, PA and we found him on Petfinder. 

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He was a troublesome dog to many. He was seen by 9 other families of which he rejected with barks and aggression.  I saw him with my ex-wife Danica, they sat us in a room with him and warned us of his aggression.  We sat on the floor calmly as he prowled like a lion, barking and snorting at us, trying to find exits.  Something told me to just grab him.  Yes, the skiddish, aggressive dog...GRAB HIM.  So next time he walked by, I scooped him up and held him in my arms. I pet him and held him as he tried to get away.  He eventually calmed down, and then I realized he was glued to me.  

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He came into our life the same way he went out. In my arms of safety and trust.

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We were able to find an in -home euthanasia service provided by a local vet doctor.  I sat outside in the woods with him beside the grave I had dug.  I pulled some runes, and scribed them on a piece of wood with charcoal.  The runes I pulled:

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Jera:  The rune of cycles, karma, life and death.

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Algiz:  In this circumstance would mostly symbolize the Angels of death, the Valkyries, that carry souls to the afterlife on the rainbow bridge.  It also symbolizes protection, and the Elk.

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Ansuz:  The rune of Odin, the All Father in Norse mythology.

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The cycle of life and death and karma, the angel of death and back to God.

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Simha lived a great life.  He traveled far and wide, and lived more feral than any dog I've known, yet had the comfort, safety and companionship as a spoiled good boy should.

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He had an all raw meat diet, he ate deer carcasses, hunted groundhogs, drank from streams, climbed mountains, attended ceremonies and festivals, lived in the wilds with me for  periods of time. 

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His life was grand and he was remembered by many as a quiet and stoic dog.  He was my rock through so many hard times, and shared in the joy of so many good times.  He never really made a peep after he reached middle age, he was a floofy regal lion boy whose favorite thing was to just hang out and lounge.

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He went on tipi trips with myself, Bella (my other dog) and my other friends where we lived in the forest for 2 weeks beside a campfire.  He was in his element in the wilderness.  So I chose to bury him in my backyard around a throne of trees where we can visit his headstone which is to be made.

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I buried him with the runes and with a buck skull.  I also chose some fragrant flowers:  Danes rocket, Garlic mustard, Fleabane and most importantly Cleavers or Bed Straw because they always used to get stuck to him!

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I know more than ever in my life the certainty of the passing of time as my 4 month old baby is growing every day, and my oldest best boy has passed on the the afterlife.  Seeing Noah, my son, and letting him participate in the funeral was surreal and really highlighted karma for me.  In with the new and out with the old.  It heightened my intuition through knowing he was ready to go, and I know exactly when his soul finally left.  It was going out all day and the final thread was when his heart finally stopped beating.

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The sands of time slip through my fingers, as I enter my mid 30s and feel changes in my own body, and seeing my beautiful young baby growing rapidly.  I see life as I believe it to be.  Life is a River, and this body is a cup.  I take a scoop out and revel in the glory of being an individual, separate and contained.  When it is my time to go,  I pour back into the River, returning back to the Infinite Flowing One. 

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Simha, I will see you on the other side, until then your Soul walks with me.

Often found "tanning" in a patch of sunlight, my orange tabby was, fittingly, named "Tanner."  Born in 2007, Tanner was orphaned as a kitten in Baltimore, brought to a city shelter, fostered by my cousin, then happily released to a good home.  His next 16 years are a mystery!  Imagine my cousin's shock in 2023 when contacted by a city shelter, notifying her that Tanner was being housed there.  His microchip had his ID information.  My cousin retrieved Tanner and gave him to me for my birthday.  He was easygoing, very vocal, and loved to cuddle on my lap or next to my beagle.  Tanner lived to be 18 years old.  I had to say good-bye to him once he stopped eating and enjoying life.  I contacted "Peaceful Paws" and requested them to send a veterinarian to my home.  With compassion and skill, Marcie, put Tanner to sleep in my lap.  I had Tanner for only two years; but how wonderful those two years turned out to be.  

Minnie Rebecca Walter was born on February 14, 2010 and will go across the rainbow bridge on May 19, 2025.  She is a Yorkie on paper, but is a true diva with a sassy heart to everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.  She loved to cuddle, play fetch with her little balls and run out the door any chance she could get.  She loved to bark just so everyone knew she was around.  She loved car rides, buggy rides and going camping.  She loved to go for walks.  She had a love hate relationship with kitty brother and big doggie brother.  She loved her human brothers too-as long as they didn't get too close.  She loved belly rubs and snacks from her dad.  She loved stealing cat food, popcorn and anything she shouldn't have.  She was her mama's best girl and took care of her thru a wedding, health issues, 2 pregnancies, smiles, tears and everything in between.  She taught us the true meaning of love and companionship and we will miss her forever.  15 years wasn't long enough.  We loved you for your entire life and we will miss you for our entire lives.  We will see you someday.  We love you  Pretty Girl.

Wink was a special one-eyed kitten with a warm and furry heart of gold.  He lived with his mom, Erica, but often had visitors that he greeted with joy, always.  He was a loving little man, playful and friendly.  King of the castle, he enjoyed napping in whatever bed he pleased and playing with of his millions of toys.  Although we only were blessed wit Wink for three wonderful years, his memory will stay in our hearts forever.

My precious tuxedo kitty, Lola, I brought home from the shelter when she was one year old.  Had her such a short time, 7 years.  Lola was perhaps the sweetest, most loving kitty ever-And I was indeed her person.  A lap cat from the beginning.  I could pet her forever and she never had a problem. Loved the attention.  So many times I would fall asleep close to midnight on the couch and Lola always positioned herself in front of me.  If I did fall asleep, there were many times where she would take her paw and touch my nose, evidently to wake me up!  Also, loved her fishing poles, strings and of course boxes!  Most recently has enjoyed the lasers.  As so very difficult as it is to lose my bright shining little star so soon and so unexpected and suddenly, I would not trade the time with her for anything in the world.  I always took pictures of Lola.  As soon as Lola would see the camera or iPhone, she would immediately turn away.  So I would have to do tricks to have her look at me.  She did not like the "paparazzi".  But she was indeed a beautiful model nonetheless.  I love her so much.  Will always love her.  Forever in my heart.

Our hearts are filled with sadness as our sweet boy, Bailey Lane Ackerman, crossed the rainbow bridge on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.  We know that he was met with lots of love and kisses from his sister and littermate, Nala Lynn Ackerman and we take comfort in knowing they are reunited again.  Bailey loved swimming and would be in and out of the pool all day.  He also liked going on Ranger rides, hanging out in the garage with his Dad and brother Treyvin and walking to the neighbors to play with his friends, Cash, Mila and Beaux.  He had a toy moose that he took to bed with him every night.  He looked forward to when Treyvin and Kiara would get home from school.  Bailey loved getting treated and would anxiously wait for Kiara to get home from work because he knew she would bring him home a pup cup.  He loved his Mom, Treyvin, Kiara, Mama and Papa but his Dad was definitely his favorite person and Bailey was always by his side.  Bailey was loved with all of our hearts and he will be missed every day.  

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Our family would like to thank Dr. Hannah Beers and all of the staff at Clarion Animal Hospital for taking excellent care of our boy for the last 11 years.  We would also like to thank Dr. Hoover with Peaceful Paws Clarion for making it possible for Bailey to remain at home where he was most comfortable until the very end.  

Hector James Johnston, our sweet Australian Shepherd.  Born June 27, 2016.  He was our first pet as a couple and has been through so many ups and downs with us.  His papa always called him whiny because of his need to whine rather than bark.  And this mama was more than ok with him bing her whiny baby.  Sweet as could be, always!  He never met a person he didn't like.  Same with most foods.  As much as I wanted him to be a cuddly little guy, he tended to have a streak of independence in him that stood true.  Although his sweet nature regularly allowed me my cuddles when I need or wanted them most.  He spent many, many hours having Star Trek or Twilight Zone marathons with papa when he couldn't sleep from night shifts.  Rolling around in the first and leaves, fish cut grass or sand after playing the water.  Hector was my saving grace.  He came to us when I needed him most and healed a part of me that was deeply broken.  If I could give that back to him and let him live forever, I wouldn't even think twice.  We'll desperately miss playing fetch with him, taking him swimming, walking in the woods.  Watching his little nubbins tail start to wiggle like crazy when he sees hi papa, has always been one of my favorite things to see.  we'll miss him always. And love him forever.

We said goodbye to our cat, Niko, in January 2025.  At the age of 10, he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.  We were able to have three more good months with him after his diagnosis. I'm thankful we were able to welcome Peaceful Paws into our home for his passing.  Our family was able to be by his side, and his litter mate brother was able to cuddle with him during the procedure. My dad and I raised Niko as a bottle-baby from our feral colony.  Niko had a pretty exciting life which started out living with the colony, then moving into my grandparents' office as a self appointed office cat, to spending the last 5 years living with my husband and me.  Niko loved food, naps, jingle balls, and was always up for an adventure, no matter how small.  He lived his life based on a schedule for all of his favorite things and never missed sitting on my husband's lap for our meals, watching movies in the evenings, or bed time right between our pillows.  All of his favorite spots are empty now-my desk during my work day, his/my spot on the couch we fought over, the rug by his feeder.  Niko was my soul-cat, and a part of me feels empty now, too. Until we meet again, my sweet boy

My Boxer,Ruby, and I rode in our side by side everyday looking for deer, she will be sadly missed by my whole family and her daily "babysitter", my mom.