The 7th Annual Tribute to Tails drew dozens of pet parents from across San Antonio on December 5, 2009. Pet parents filled the Parish Hall at St. Francis Episcopal Church, as they honored the memories of their cherished family pets.

Join us for the 7th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight Memorial

SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
6 - 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Episcopal Church
4242 Bluemel Road
San Antonio, TX
Contact: Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920

Free to the Community

If you have questions about our event, please call us at (210) 216-0920 or e-mail to Tribute2Tails@yahoo.com.

FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLIER AND SHARE WITH YOUR PET LOVER FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Also, be sure to join "Tribute to Tails" on Facebook.

In Memory of My Sappy

(May 13, 1989 - August 4, 2003)

I can still remember the day I welcomed Sappy into my heart. I was fresh out of college and starting my career when Sapster joined me on this journey of life.

He brought so much joy into my life. I will never forget my fur boy! Sappy was tiny when I first laid eyes on him. He was so very precious. He was fast asleep, covered with a small blanket inside a basket decorated with ribbons. He was my college graduation gift. He was the BEST gift of all. I received money, clothes, furniture and jewelry from family members. But, none could compare to my new little dog name Sappy. He quickly became my roommate. How he got his name is a long story.

Today marks six years since he left for his own journey to Heaven. I know without a doubt that he's there! And, I know that someday I will see him again. I will join him on the most awesome journey of all - eternity with God! I look forward to that reunion. For now, I will wait and continue to serve God each day because I know He has more for me to do on earth. Today, Jim and I pay tribute to our little Sappy. We will honor his memory today and always! He lives deep within our hearts and we will never forget him. That little dog changed our lives in a HUGE way. He was truly a gift from God. So we Thank God for allowing us to love this precious creature for 14 years. He's now fully restored and in perfect health. We can't wait to see him again! -We love you, Sappy. Rest in peace. Your pet parents, Julie & Jim

In memory of Sappy. We invite you to join our network of pet parents at: http://tributetotailssanantonio.ning.com/

Below is one of our favorite poems.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Blessings of the Animals

Bring your furry friends for a special blessing today!

Saturday, October 3
9 - noon
St. Francis Episcopal Church
4242 Bluemel Road
San Antonio, TX

For more information, call (210) 696-0834
or visit http://www.sfcsa.org/

Receive a Certificate of Blessing and St. Francis medal for your furry friend.

Visit with various local animal groups and organizations, including:
Over the Top Agility, Tribute to Tails & SAPPY Pet Loss Support Group, Pampered Pawz n Paws In Heaven, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Animal Welfare Society for Cats, Camp Bow Wow, Paws In Heaven Pet Crematory and Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique.

—Free to the community—

ATTENTION: Girl puppy needs a good home
Another precious fur baby needs to be placed in a good, loving home. There are so many of them. It breaks my heart to learn about so many wonderful stray/homeless dogs who are being dumped across our city. Please help spread the word about this baby who needs a good, forever home with pet parents who will love and treat her as part of their family.

This female puppy is a larger dog but still pretty young, probably under a year. She knows how to sit and is sweet but we think she was dumped two or three weeks ago and has been too scared to come to anyone until now.

She was pretty thirsty and hungry - poor thing. She is so cute!!!!

If you know of anyone who would be interested in adopting this sweet girl, please let me know and I will provide you with the contact information.

Please call us if you are interested at (210) 216-0920.

Thanks for your help! God bless you.

Jim & Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920

When Grief Comes

Whether you've had a pet companion for one week, six months or 15 years, it hurts deeply when the time comes to say farewell. When my husband Jim and I released our precious little Sappy boy to God in Heaven, it was devastating. Euthanizaton was the most difficult decision we ever had to make in our lives. But thank God for our faith and hope! We know that all of God's creatures are in His care, and that He is in control of everything.

If you find yourself grieving the loss of a faithful furry friend, please know that you are absolutely not alone. Jim and I organized a group for pet parents in need of support. We started the group gatherings in September of 2003, a little more than one month after we lost Sappy to bladder cancer. The group has been meeting since then. We even organized a special candlelight service to pay tribute to our furry friends. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. We usually hold this event in early December. This year will mark the 7th year. We look forward to celebrating Sappy again, along with hundreds of other animal friends at the event.

This year's Tribute to Tails will be offered on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in San Antonio, TX. Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions about our support group or Tribute to Tails, please contact us at (210) 216-0920. We are here for you!

Thank you and God bless you,
-Jim & Julie Wiley

"RED" Needs A New Rainbow of Color in Her Life
Abandoned dog needs good, responsible pet parents

May 29, 2009

Imagine your family packing up their suitcases and loading their car with all of their keepsakes, then driving away without you. That's what happened to Red.

Red is a beautiful dog who was recently abandoned by her family - (See attached photo of Miss Red).

Red's family moved three months ago and left her behind. She was running the streets during the day and returned to her family's vacant home at night. Karen Hilo, a very special and compassion lady noticed that Red was homeless and probably thirsty and hungry, so she started feeding her.

It was a challenge for Karen to get near Red, as Karen wanted to take her home. But at the right time, Red began to trust Karen. Finally Karen was able to connect with Red. Karen now has Red in her home where she lives in the garage. Karen says, "As you can imagine, I had no idea what this dog was like but knew in my heart it was for the best. I opened the cage in my closed garage and out she came."

Karen says while scared, Red didn't show any aggression. When Red saw Karen's other dogs, she quickly became "alive" and started wagging her tail. She also started playing right away with Karen's other fur kids. "I have had her for three weeks. She is coming along, getting use to me. She has had her shots and is getting fixed next week," explains Karen. "I am sure she would make a wonderful dog for a family that has at least one dog in the home."

Karen says that Red likes and plays very nicely with others dogs. Red is also house trained and is a really sweet dog. She adds, "I also had her seen by Haley Cyr, the dog trainer at Animal Defense League (ADL), who had very nice things to say about her." Karen would love to see Red placed in a good, loving forever home.

If anyone is interested in adopting Red, please contact Karen Hilo at by e-mail at khiloaloha@aol.com

NOTE: Karen isn't interested in placing Red in a shelter. She really wants to find a good home for her, a home that has at least one other dog. In the meantime, Red will remain living with Karen until someone adopts her. Karen already has several dogs of her own, so she really can't adopt Red. If someone is interested in adopting her, it would require a slow move between both homes and for a few weeks so that Red does not feel abandoned again. Karen wants the BEST for Red.

Background information about Red:
- She seems larger in the photo. She is actually only about 30 pounds, full grown and 1-2 ys. old
- She is Well behaved, but shy around people
- Mixed-breed (not sure?). Has Red hair
- Loving personality
- Gets along with other dogs
- Is a bit shy
- Has shots
- Will be getting spayed by foster parent
- In good health

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting Red, please contact Karen right away by email at: khiloaloha@aol.com.

Please feel free to forward this email to ALL of your pet lover friends and family. And, please keep Red in your daily prayers.

Thank you and God bless you.

Your friends,

Jim & Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920
S.A.P.P.Y. Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio (Since 2003)

Forgotten Friends Need YOU!

Dear Pet Parents & ALL Animal Lovers,

The following is a message from Deborah Ullrich, the founder and manager of Forgotten Friends-Mixed Breed Rescue (FFMBR), a shelter located in the Austin, Texas, area. This is a wonderful rescue group and shelter. Please consider making a donation to help keep our furry friends cool and comfortable this summer.

"Through the help of many generous donations we have been able to build a small, 14x24' kennel building and new pens on each side for exercise! But with Summer here one side especially is way too hot for the dogs. We are wanting a Carolina Carport (this is an example of one but much larger) to cover the hottest pen first to help with rain and the sun. The smallest size available is 12'x21' and is $695. This will not cover the whole pen but allow a comfortable area for the dogs to get out of the direct elements.Then later one for the other side. If you can help in any way, either by donating by Pay pal at our PAW or forwarding this e-mail, everything will be greatly appreciated." -Deborah Ullrich, Forgotten Friends

If you would like to make a donation, please visit their Web site at www.mixbreedrescue.com

About Forgotten Friends:
Forgotten Friends is an 501 c (3) Austin-based rescue group that was started ten years ago to help reduce the number of sweet, loving dogs that die everyday in area shelters for lack of a suitable home. We are supported solely by volunteers and donations from the community.

We are volunteer-based and all of our funds are used for the care and maintenance of our rescued dogs. Puppies and dogs enter our program from area shelters and stay at a private mini shelter until foster homes become open or new fosters sign on. Then they can be moved out to a foster home for training before going to new families. If there are no available fosters, the dogs reside at the shelter until they are adopted.

Our mission is to rehome our puppies and dogs into homes who are fully committed to their lifetime care.
We are committed to finding the very best match between the needs of our adopters and our dogs by carefully screening applications, meet & greet sessions, home visits and vet checks.

Thank you for choosing rescue, please do not breed or buy while shelter pets die!
-Deborah Ullrich

www.mixbreedrescue.com

Phase I of the Building Project is Complete! Phase II, a large building for the big dogs is underway!

Please consider making a donation to help Deborah at Forgotten Friends to provide these furry creatures with a cool, comfortable and loving environment this summer, and all year long.

God bless you.

Jim & Julie Wiley
(210) 216-0920

S.A.P.P.Y. Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio (Since 2003)

Group gatherings: 4th Tuesday of the Month, 6:30-8 p.m.The English Tea Shoppe, 6877 Bandera Road (In Leon Valley)(Between Grissom & Huebner Roads)

Group gatherings are held in a quiet space for privacy.

JOIN OUR ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK OF PET PARENTS:

http://tributetotailssanantonio.ning.com

FREE TO COMMUNITY. PUBLIC INVITED.

"Our pets didn't leave us, they only moved closer to our HEARTS."

-Julie Wiley

Visit Our NEW Social Network for Pet Parents

Welcome to the SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio blogspot. This year will mark six years since we've started our pet loss support group. We are happy to share our new online social network, "Tribute to Tails: A Candlelight Memorial Honoring the Pets in Our Lives." This new site is just one more way of celebrating those special four-legged furry friends who made a HUGE difference in our lives. We will never forget them, nor the fun and loving memories we made together!

This year, we will sponsor our 7th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight Memorial on Saturday, December 5 at 2 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Antonio, TX. We hope to see you there!

Please take time to visit our social network online. Simply click on this link,
http://tributetotailssanantonio.ning.com/ and join us today!

Be blessed,
Julie :)

Visit Our NEW Social Network for Pet Parents

http://tributetotailssanantonio.ning.com/

S.A.P.P.Y. Pet Loss & Grief Support Group Schedule for 2009

Our support group gathers on the 4th Tuesday of the Month, from 6:30-8 p.m. at The English Tea Shoppe, 6877 Bandera Road (in Leon Valley), right in back of Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies and Jack in the Box.

The group gatherings are held in a very quiet setting to allow for pet parents to express themselves openly with other pet parents experiencing the loss of their animal companions.

You are welcome to attend any or all of these gatherings, designed especially for people having a difficult time with the loss of their furry friend. Your pet was more than just a dog, cat, horse, hamster or bird, your precious pet was part of your daily life and a HUGE part of your family. We understand how difficult it can be to lose a precious furry friend. We respect and understand your time of mourning and we would like for you to know that you are not alone during this very difficult time of loss.

Please feel free to attend our upcoming group gatherings, free to the community and open to the public (pet parents). You are welcome to attend any or all of the following gatherings: 4th Tuesday of the Month, 6:30-8 p.m.

January 29 (We will gather on Thursday this month due to conflict in facilitator's schedule)

February 24

March 24

April 28

May 26

June 23

July 28

August 25

September 22

October 27

November 24

December 22

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. You can reach us at (210) 216-0920 or e-mail at SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net.

Thank you and God bless you.