K-W Humane Society | Saying Goodbye

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Wilfred passed away yesterday morning. In the last week he hadn’t been himself and was having considerable trouble walking on his bad leg. He went peacefully at home around 7 a.m.

He was an absolute joy to have in our lives for the last 4 years. He touched everyone who met him. A truly great dog! It is impossible for me to understand how someone could abandon him in his time of need. I take comfort in the fact that we made his last 4 years happy and comfortable.

Thank you both for giving us this chance! I include a picture of Wilf taken this Christmas.

Take Care,
Tracey and Ken Sims

Note: Wilfred is the dog who courageously survived being hit by a car and left to die in a ditch. His story inspired so many to help injured and homeless animals. For more on Wilf, click here.

On Saturday, April 14, 2007 Wilf’s family came to the Centre to help place a plaque in honour of this special dog. Pictured here is Kelly, the person who found Wilf when he needed help most, her son, Tracey and Ken Sims and their Daughters. The plaque, now placed in the Atrium at KWHS reads,

WILF
A symbol of hope and perseverance.
He was a wonderful dog!

WILF, the stray dog that had been hit by a car
and left to die, inspired a community to care
for homeless and injured animals,
died February 14, 2007.

In loving memory of the extraordinary dog
that touched the hearts of this community
with his courageous story.

On behalf of:
Wilf’s Adoptive Parents, Tracey and Ken Sims
The Staff, Board and Volunteers of K-W Humane Society

We found Rocky at the Humane Society in August 1997. He was huddled in a kennel, scared and shaking. He was almost full grown, maybe two years old they told us. He instantly bonded with my husband, giving him “high fives” through the kennel door. He had run away from home one too many times and his owners were not coming to claim him. We took him home, cleaned him up, and he never left my husband’s side.

He was a happy boy. We never questioned his temperament. Kids were not afraid to pluck at his huge ears or even pull at his tongue. When we tried to walk him though, it became clear that he had never been socialized. He lunged at bikers, skateboarders, joggers, buses and motorcycles, anything that moved. He leaped at trees, biting at their branches. It seemed to be his way of releasing energy. This 85lb German Shepherd “puppy” was a lot to handle.

We signed up for Obedience classes. To our salvation our instructor saw past his brash exterior and he became a special project. Thank you, Marney for helping us through when others may have given up on him.

My husband worked with him constantly. Soon the dog that people crossed the street to avoid, would sit politely and receive compliments on how well behaved he was. But he still had trouble relating to other dogs. So in 1998 we got him his own “pound puppy”. He took to him in minutes and learned how to be gentle with him. They grew to be great friends.

Rocky had a vibrant personality. Even in his eleventh year he never lost his enthusiasm for life.
He danced and did circles at the mention of a walk up until his last day.
He snubbed peanut butter and toast, holding out for Cheez Whiz.
Forget expensive toys, he stole empty water bottles from the recycling and pranced proudly with it dangling from his mouth.
He’d grumble and huff if he was told to lie down, or balk if you made noise when he was trying to sleep.
He’d terrorize the cat, but loved her dearly.
He sang when he heard fire engines go by.
He growled at hot air balloons and was reduced to a shaking mass when he heard fireworks.
He would have given his life for anyone of us.
He was one of a kind.

He opened our lives to a whole new world filled with dogs and people who care deeply about dogs. I’m sure there will never be another like him. But one day when we are ready we will open our hearts to another “pound puppy”. They truly are the most loyal, best friend anyone could hope to have.

I Only Wanted You

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

...I shall see beauty

but none to match your living grace.

I shall hear music

but none as sweet as the droning song

with which you loved me.

I shall fill my days

but I shall not, cannot forget.

Sleep soft, dear friend….

Michael Joseph

If you are interested in including your pet on this page, click here. Wilfred - February 2007 It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Wilfred passed away yesterday morning. In the last week he hadn’t been himself and was having considerable trouble walking on his bad leg. He went peacefully at home around 7 a.m. He was an absolute joy to have in our lives for the last 4 years. He touched everyone who met him. A truly great dog! It is impossible for me to understand how someone could abandon him in his time of need. I take comfort in the fact that we made his last 4 years happy and comfortable. Thank you both for giving us this chance! I include a picture of Wilf taken this Christmas. Take Care, Tracey and Ken Sims Note: Wilfred is the dog who courageously survived being hit by a car and left to die in a ditch. His story inspired so many to help injured and homeless animals. For more on Wilf, click here. On Saturday, April 14, 2007 Wilf’s family came to the Centre to help place a plaque in honour of this special dog. Pictured here is Kelly, the person who found Wilf when he needed help most, her son, Tracey and Ken Sims and their Daughters. The plaque, now placed in the Atrium at KWHS reads, WILF A symbol of hope and perseverance. He was a wonderful dog! WILF, the stray dog that had been hit by a car and left to die, inspired a community to care for homeless and injured animals, died February 14, 2007. In loving memory of the extraordinary dog that touched the hearts of this community with his courageous story. On behalf of: Wilf’s Adoptive Parents, Tracey and Ken Sims The Staff, Board and Volunteers of K-W Humane Society Rocky - June 2006 We found Rocky at the Humane Society in August 1997. He was huddled in a kennel, scared and shaking. He was almost full grown, maybe two years old they told us. He instantly bonded with my husband, giving him “high fives” through the kennel door. He had run away from home one too many times and his owners were not coming to claim him. We took him home, cleaned him up, and he never left my husband’s side. He was a happy boy. We never questioned his temperament. Kids were not afraid to pluck at his huge ears or even pull at his tongue. When we tried to walk him though, it became clear that he had never been socialized. He lunged at bikers, skateboarders, joggers, buses and motorcycles, anything that moved. He leaped at trees, biting at their branches. It seemed to be his way of releasing energy. This 85lb German Shepherd “puppy” was a lot to handle. We signed up for Obedience classes. To our salvation our instructor saw past his brash exterior and he became a special project. Thank you, Marney for helping us through when others may have given up on him. My husband worked with him constantly. Soon the dog that people crossed the street to avoid, would sit politely and receive compliments on how well behaved he was. But he still had trouble relating to other dogs. So in 1998 we got him his own “pound puppy”. He took to him in minutes and learned how to be gentle with him. They grew to be great friends. Rocky had a vibrant personality. Even in his eleventh year he never lost his enthusiasm for life. He danced and did circles at the mention of a walk up until his last day. He snubbed peanut butter and toast, holding out for Cheez Whiz. Forget expensive toys, he stole empty water bottles from the recycling and pranced proudly with it dangling from his mouth. He’d grumble and huff if he was told to lie down, or balk if you made noise when he was trying to sleep. He’d terrorize the cat, but loved her dearly. He sang when he heard fire engines go by. He growled at hot air balloons and was reduced to a shaking mass when he heard fireworks. He would have given his life for anyone of us. He was one of a kind. He opened our lives to a whole new world filled with dogs and people who care deeply about dogs. I’m sure there will never be another like him. But one day when we are ready we will open our hearts to another “pound puppy”. They truly are the most loyal, best friend anyone could hope to have. Debbie & Richard Nuhn, little brother Theo, and Kitty			I Only Wanted You 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 ...I shall see beauty but none to match your living grace. I shall hear music but none as sweet as the droning song with which you loved me. I shall fill my days but I shall not, cannot forget. Sleep soft, dear friend…. Michael Joseph