He came out of the Triple X Kennel in Florida. The trainer left the kennel and all of the dogs in February 2008 and the kennel closed down. When the trainer left, there were lots of reports about the conditions at this kennel. A lot of the dogs were taken in by rescue groups (our heroes) and the rest were either returned to owners or sent to other kennels.

Apache was a baby! He was so beautiful with his white coat marked with blue brindle spots and eyes that appeared to be green at times. He was a happy bouncing dog and so full of energy. He turned two years old March 27. He was a happy handful, always getting into things and starting something with the other dogs. He would be fine in his crate as long as he could see us, but if we walked out of the room, he’d send out such a bark and gravelly howl that you could hear it down the street. He didn’t want to miss anything! He just happily bounced everywhere he went. We knew that this dog had to have kids in his life!

He tested positive for Erlichiosis and soon started to have symptoms and when it hit, it hit hard. He started limping and he actually began doing a bunny jump rather than to trot along. He was a dog that could take stairs in a leap and bound and within one day he could no longer walk up a step. At first, we thought that he hurt himself because of his energy and the way he seemed to race everywhere and bang into everything. But it soon became apparent that something was going very wrong.

He dropped weight so quickly that it became alarming. He went from 68 pounds to only 56 pounds in two weeks. It was clear that he was very ill. But he never lost his spirit. He would look at us with those loving eyes and we knew that no matter how badly he felt, he was still ready to go as long as he could stand.

He spent four days at our vet’s office being monitored and we all realized that he was not improving but getting worse. We let him go April 28, only three weeks after he got sick. Bill and I adopted him because we wanted him to leave this earth as a part of a family. He was not going to go alone. What was so heartbreaking about this is that he was so young. And he did not need to die from a tick borne disease as it could have been prevented by treating him to keep the ticks off him (or his mother who may have passed on the disease to him and his littermates).

When we think of Apache, we can only put our feelings into the words of this poem that we found on line. Thank you all for caring, praying, putting your feelings into actions by raising funds for him, and for sending us such wonderful kind thoughts:

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

Author unknown


Thank you all so much for being a part of Apache's loving family and caring so much for him. We can take comfort in knowing that so many loved him as he so deserved.

Hettie

Run with all our angels sweet prince

Hettie I feel as if I have lost one of my own.

I am sadden. I know Apache is free and at the bridge. I am sure he met our Zeus and Annie at the bridge and they are playing with him.

God speed little angel.

Goodbye Apache .

I am so sorry for the oss of Apache Run free at the sweet boy.
Tara

I am so saddened about the loss of Apache He was so young and so beautiful. I had been raying for him. I am glad to hear that you and Bill gave him a Forever Home even just for the feeling. I hope that is gives you some piece to know that he is running free on the other side of the rainbow with no pain.

My heart goes out to you for the loss of Apache.
Heaven holds a special place for those who give of themselves for one of Gods creations.
May God and St.Francis watch over Apache until you meet again at the bridge.
With sympathy
F.D.

Apache will live on in our hearts

I understand...
It takes so little time for them to become firmly entrenched in our hearts.

L.

I am so sorry.