The day I went to pick up my boxer pup I had no intentions on bringing home a girl. She picked me. Following me around whining because she wanted to be picked up. I couldn't resist her. She was the perfect fit to my family that consisted of me and my french bulldog Riley. From the moment I walked through the door with her it just worked. Riley and Lucy had the perfect brother sister relationship. They went everywhere together and experienced life together.

The only way to describe my Lucy Bear is loving. She never met a person or animal that she didn't love. She never held back how she felt about anyone either, giving kisses freely to everyone. There wasn't one day of her 5 year life that she wasn't following me from room to room. She frequently would check on me when I was in the shower or closet just a little too long. She always kept a close eye on our whole family. She was a very loyal dog, but less like a dog and more like a person. She was a happy girl always giving us the boxer wiggle. No matter if I was gone for 5 minutes or 5 hours she was always so ecstatic to see me. She was the one to see me off in the morning for work and would be the first to greet me when I returned. I always felt as though she was my biggest fan. She never went a day without giving the most love she could.

Lucy's favorite thing was going for walks and running through the field at my parent's house. She also loved going for rides in the car, going out on the boat, and she also was a great swimmer. She never showed any fear in the water. Where ever there was water she would be the first one in. She always was happy as long as she was with someone. She never liked to be alone.

Lucy was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy two weeks after her fifth birthday. With no symptoms until then it was a total devastation to the family. Little did we know that she would be gone two weeks after the diagnosis.

Riley misses your companionship. He still turns to look for you when he goes outside and checks the bedroom to see if your in there on your bed. He lays next to your bed frequently as though he is waiting for you to just appear. I can tell he misses you beyond measure.

Our lives will be forever touched by you Lucy. There will be no replacement to you as you hold a huge part of my heart. I still feel you here with me and I know that some day I will see your sweet face again. Until then my life will not be as complete without you here by my side. I love you my sweet girl!

Brian, Lisa, and Riley Woodward

April 1999 - December 23, 2011

The twelve wonderful years Saydee has been with us will never be forgotten.  She was one of those companion dogs that owners would cherish for a lifetime.  Any new pet that came into our home, Saydee would let them know who was the boss!

Saydee loved to go for car rides.  It didn't matter if it was a ride to town, or a trip to Texas.

Losing Saydee to a tragic and unexpected death two days before Christmas of 2011 was very hard on our family.  We think about you a lot Saydee.  We love you Saydee and we will miss you.  You will always be close to our hearts.

Love, Buentello Family

Gracie Long

July 16, 2007 ~ August 30, 2011

With beauty and elegance her name said it all..."Gracie." Born on July 16, 2007 she came into this world with so much love, care and affection for her owners. From the day Shelly, Alyssa and I brought her home on September 1, we gave her all that she came to give to us. When we went to pick her out she was the last puppy in the litter and now we know the saying "save the best for last" is true. 

From that first day in September until her last, she just had to snuggle up to something. Whether it be the legs on the kitchen table, the large rocks we have in our landscaping, or our feet. She always had to be touching us, showing her affection and loyalty to her family. We always had smiles on our faces when we would come home just knowing that she would be on the other side of the door waiting to greet us with a stuffed toy in her mouth. Most of the time it was not one toy, but two or three! She wanted us to be proud of what she could accomplish. We couldn't be more proud of everything she did for us. She brought so much joy, laughter, love and memories in a short period of time.

Gracie was diagnosed with malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer) on June 25, 2011. We were going to do whatever we could to help her beat this horrible disease. After many visits to her vet, MSU and three surgeries, Gracie lost her battle on August 30 and she was barely 4 years old. She came into this world showing her unconditional love and she continued doing that until her last day.

Gracie, we love you unconditionally and will always protect, care for you and keep you comfy. Until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge we love and miss you tremendously, Our Sweet Gracie Girl.

ARNO

2-1-97 TO 8-18-11

ARNO VAN LAMMERSBEEK GILES WAS BORN FEBRUARY 1ST 1997 IN THE
NETHERLANDS. HE WAS TRAINED IN NARCOTIC DETECTION AND TRACKING.
HE GRADUATED FROM MID-MICHIGAN KENNELS IN 2000. HE WAS CERTIFIED IN
NARCOTICS DETECTION BEGINNING IN 2002 THROUGH THE UNITED STATES
POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION. HE WAS ALSO CERTIFIED THROUGH THE
INTERNATIONAL POLICE WORK DOG ASSOCIATION IN 2005. HE WORKED WITH
OFFICER MARK GILES FOR THE SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHILE IN SERVICE, MACʼS LANDING DONATED ANY VET SERVICES THAT ARNO
NEEDED. ARNO VISITED MANY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS FOR CAREER DAYS
AND D.A.R.E. CLASSES. HIS LARGEST SEIZE OF DRUGS IN ONE CASE WAS 50
POUNDS! ARNO OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM SDPD ON APRIL 16TH 2007 AT THE
AGE OF 10 BECAUSE HIS VISION AND HEARING WERE DETERIORATING.
AN INTERESTING FACT IS THAT ARNO OUTLIVED ALL OF HIS GRADUATING
CLASSMATES BY YEARS! HE WAS A FAITHFUL PARTNER FOR MARK AND A
VERY GENTLE , LOVING, AND KIND FAMILY DOG TOO.
ARNO ENJOYED EATING PIZZA WITH THE FAMILY, CAMPING, CAR RIDES,
FRISBE, SWIMMING, AND PLAYING WITH TENNIS BALLS. HE LIKED TO SCARE
PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CAR BY WAITING UNTIL THEY WERE CLOSE AND THEN
BARKING WHEN THEY WALKED BY! NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE HE WAS NOT
ABLE TO GO ON CAR RIDES, CLIMB STAIRS, OR GO ON ANY TRIPS WITH THE
FAMILY ANYMORE. HIS WALKING BECAME DIFFICULT AND FALLING HAPPENED
CONSTANTLY. WE HAD TO PUT ARNO DOWN ON AUGUST 18TH 2011. HE WAS
14.5 YEARS OLD!
WE WERE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD ARNO FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT
WE DID AND WILL MISS HIM TERRIBLY. GOD SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DOG! SO
WE ARE SURE THAT ARNO WILL BE WAITING FOR US-HIS FAMILY.

It is with sadness that Toni & Raven announces the passing of another beloved member of the family. Serendipity kitty passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

 A few months after my kitty compantion of almost 15 years passed away (Lonely) in 2008, I happened to catch a lucky phone call that led me to adopt Serendipity who was a stray kitten in need of a good home. I knew she and I would get along when I saw how bossy and independant she was, even as a 3 month old kitten. Raven and I brought her home to meet Scamper & Da Vinci, and trio set to setting up the pecking order, then getting down to playing.

 Serendipity was very vocal when she wanted attention and would butt her head against you when she wanted love. We called the rug in front of the kitchen sink her "love spot" because the minute we got up, she would rush to that spot and loudly proclaim she was ready for lovin'. She hated to be picked up, but loved petting and belly rubs. While she had her "princess chair" in the dining room and her spot at the top of the stairs in the window, her favorite place to be was in the kitchen, constantly underfoot, or up in the back window overlooking the vast backyard. I always thought of her as a little bit wild, having been born a stray, but I believe we gave her a good and comfortable indoor life with a view.

She was what the vet called a "roly-poly" cat, but my friends jokingly called her "Jabba the Kitty". Though we eventually took on another four kitties (rescued from a flooded house), I always secretly told Serendipity she was my favorite, because she was mine and I was her human. She was the only kitty in the house I let get away with refusing her wear her collar. It had a safety break away and she would pop it off minutes after I attempted to put it on her.

 She was only able to share with us 3 years of her life and while I am grateful for what she was able to give us I was angry at the universe when that was suddenly taken away without warning. One evening while Raven & I were home, Serendipity jumped off the table in the other room and staggered into the living room, giving off strange sounds. She went limp and was immediately rushed to the Kalamazoo Emergency Animal Hospital. After the excellent care by the vet and his assistants, it was discovered that she had suffered a stroke and was most likely dying. Again, the folks at the Animal Hospital did their best to make Serendipity comfortable and accommodate an upset pet owner. Serendipity passed away in my arms at the hospital.

While I did have reminders of Lonely's passing as I was mourning Serendipity, I am grateful for the animals I have had, and still have, in my life along with my ability to provide a home for them. Serendipity will be missed.