We recently heard that Jerry “Sad” Eyes has passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Jerry was a staff favorite here at Pets Alive and we wee sad to learn of his passing, but oh so happy to know that his final year of life was spent in the loving arms of a wonderful family that loved him. Below is their kind letter to us to let us know that he had passed on, and below that is a write-up that Janet (pets alive staff) had written about him some time ago. I hope you will read this and recognize how much every dog deserves a home and a chance at a loving life. I think if you are here, reading this, then you probably already do. In that case, help us spread the word…
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It is with a broken heart that I am writing to tell you that Jerry crossed over the rainbow bridge yesterday. In the last 2 weeks he has been getting weaker in his hind quarters and then his front legs began to get weak as well. I had called a vet to come to the house on Wednesday so he could pass on while at home in his own bed but by Saturday morning he could no longer get up at all, no pain – I think he was just all worn out. I made an appointment to take him to his vets and in the meantime Victor and I lifted him, bed and all, out to the patio because it was such a beautiful day. This gave our other canine children a chance to say goodbye. One by one each came and lay beside him for a little while. The birds were singing and there was a lovely gentle wind blowing. When the time came we took him in his bed to the vets and he died peacefully in our arms. We miss our gentle giant so much that words cannot express. There have been many tears shed in the last few days and I know there will be many more but I try to console myself with the thought that now he can truly run and play.
We are having Jerry cremated and I have asked Best Friends if we can take him to Utah so his final resting place can be at Angels Rest. He was an angel on earth and I think the setting there would suit him very well. I hope that this will be okay with you – if you have any objections please let me know. Thank you and all of the Staff and volunteers at PetsAlive for the work you do for the animals. And thank you for the honor of allowing Jerry to be a part of our lives if only for what seemed a fleeting moment. Please know that he was happy while he was here – he even got into some mischief like pulling over the trash can and taking groceries out of the bags. It took a while for his character to come out but what a character he was. We humans we could all learn a lesson from dogs like Jeremiah – he seemed to have a heart as big as all outdoors and despite whatever trials he may have endured in his life he was a gentle, patient soul – we loved him dearly and miss him as much.
Please let everyone know.
In deepest sorrow,
Jennifer & Victor
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The below is written by Janet:

Being that we are ALL animal lovers, each of us knows the feeling when we look deep into the eyes of a pet. We do not see just another living creature, but a Being unique in each and every dimension. Emotions that compare and even supersede those of many humans we know. But those loving eyes that we are envisioning at the moment can not even equate to the eyes of one particular dog who was unfairly forced to linger here for all too long. Rightfully earning the name “Jerry Sad Eyes”, this dog has the eyes of a child meeting Santa for the very first time. Although one might initially mistake his glare for that of fear, every person is quick to learn that Jerry consists only of ultimate pureness. His body is misshapen. Weighing about 80 pounds with a substantially weak hind end, Jerry was unable to get around well. He had trouble getting up on the slippery floors of the geriatric ward, and found himself toppling over when walking along the sloped driveway. Most of the day, you would find Jerry lying on a bed in the senior room staring up at you…begging for any sort of attention one could afford at the moment. Worst yet, being so compromised, Jerry would sometimes get picked on by more dominant seniors who didn’t feel that they should share their human counterpart with such a disabled soul.

Jerry had visited the vet several times, and was placed on high doses of glucosamine and anti-inflammatories for pain. But what Jerry really needed was a special home, somewhere where the floors weren’t so slippery, the driveway wasn’t so sloped, and someplace where he didn’t have to worry if another dog wanted to displace his anger on him. And all we needed was for SOMEONE to look at Jerry….in those beautiful sad eyes.

Then came an email from a lovely couple residing in Delaware. They had read his story (and apparently seen his picture) and wanted to open their home to Jerry. They received a home check, and drove all the way up the east coast to Pets Alive where it no doubt was love at first site. Jerry was more active that particular day meeting his new parents than he had been in a long time. It has now been a few weeks, and Jerry is undergoing acupuncture treatment at his new vet. They are even discussing chiropractic or massage therapy at some point in the near future.

To finish this endearing story I think I will just quote his new mother by saying “Jerry is doing a little better everyday. He is now spending almost a half hour in the yard in the morning—and more and more he follows us around the house. He looks the most delighted (and I mean delighted) when he stands at the back door and someone opens it for him to go in or out. He can’t seem to get over the fact that he has the option to come or go as he pleases. His ears go up, his tail wags and he just grins from ear to ear.”

On a side note, I heard that Jerry is finally contending the use of his full name. “Sad” is not the sentiment seeping from his eyes any longer.