Ostrander Veterinary Clinic

In Memoriam

Along with the joys of pet ownership comes the eventual sorrow for the loss of our companions. One of the ways we commemorate our precious pets is by sharing our special memories of them with others.

Please feel free to send us stories and photos of your special pet that can be included on this page.

Ontario Veterinary College Pet Loss Support Hotline

Champ June 9 1995 - April 29 2008

Champ was an amazing person because to us he was never just a dog. Everyday he led us by example with his love, loyalty and joie de vivre. He became a member of our family in August of 1995 and we never looked back. The puppy years went by in a blur of walks, romps and playtime. There wasn't anyone Champ could not charm, man, woman or child. Everyone that entered our home was given his full attention and warm greeting.

In 1999, while on a walk with me, Champ went toe to toe with a dog 5 times his size and although he was injured made a full recovery. Due in large part to the excellent care he recevied at Ostrander Veterinary Clinic. I will be forever grateful to all the staff who worked so hard to make him well and calm my fears.

As time marched on and we all headed into our middle years Champ was there for us through all of our trials and tribulations soothing us with his presence. For myself I will always be thankful for his loving care as I recovered from surgery and back problems. I could not have wished for a better nurse.

Bill and I were totally blessed to have hime for thirteen wonderful years. Sadly we lost him several weeks ago. We will miss him forever but I truly believe that a little of him lives on in everyone who met him.

Sandy - May 1996 to November 2007

I’ll never forget the day I first met Sandy. I was 15 years old, and Sandy was the first dog for my brother and sister and I. She was a friendly little pup and she couldn’t have fit into our family any better!! As a young dog she loved to accompany me on a trail ride with our horse, or with my brother and his dirt bike, or with my sister running. Her energy and enthusiasm for the adventures of teenagers on the farm was endless and I know she loved everything about growing up with us. Whether it was just doing chores, or working with our 4H calves, or relaxing outside, Sandy was always with us.

As we all grew up and pursued our various careers, Sandy was always the first to greet us when we came home, with a smile and a tail wag. If we didn’t open our car door quite fast enough to pet her, there was often even a friendly bark to remind us that she was waiting!
In her senior years, Sandy started to slow down a little. With the teenagers now into their twenties, her new favorite activity became “helping” Mom and Dad with their gardens. She always seemed to just want to be with her family, even if she was just watching them work. When we would walk around the gardens at home, she was always there leading the way to the next one!

Sandy was a once in a lifetime kind of dog, she will never be replaced in our hearts. She was a perfect first dog, especially for an aspiring veterinarian. We will always miss the big white dog and her warm welcome home.

Sadie Rose

Sadie Rose

Heartbreak can happen, when we least expect it! Sadie Rose had a very special place in our hearts for a very short period of time. We purchased her from Grandview German Shepherds in Erin, March 2005 at a young age of 10 weeks. We were only allowed two months with Sadie as we had to put her down in May 2005 due to serious kidney issues at a very young age of 4.5 months old. She was an intelligent pup and learned quickly.

Always wanting to please us in every way and such desire to be near us everywhere we were. Sadie made herself known wherever she was; she would just bounce into every situation.

When the crucial time of the euthanasia, Dr. Karla cried with us as she knew the pain and suffering we were experiencing because of the love that had grown for Sadie Rose. Her loss also broke our hearts and still continues to do so forever

Zoe

Zoe

I was fortunate when I got the opportunity of having Zoe in my life at the young age of 6 months old. The previous owners said they could not do anything with her. We bonded closely and I knew she was from a working line, so we enrolled her in a class where they taught Search and Find, Smoke and Fire, climbing “A”frames, walking planks and so much more. Zoe excelled in all categories and the trainer stated that she should have gone to the police or RCMP as she had outstanding qualities. It is fortunate for them, but I was thrilled she was part of my life.

As a devoted part of the family, she protected us with her life. She was a quiet girl and observed situations, knowing when she needed to be at the forefront. I did not think she had it in her, but the trainer showed me another side of Zoe that I did not know existed. He did not even raise a hand to her, but his facial expressions let her know that she needed to be protective. After several years her hips giving her difficulty, they failed for her in December 2004 at the age of 9 years old. They gave out very early one morning and with a distress call to Ostrander Vet, we rushed her in, only have her taken out of her pain. It still hurts to this day, but she will live in our hearts forever.

Mighty - Dec. 1993 to Sept. 2005

I have been lucky to have many dogs in my life but I Was specially blessed with Mighty. Mighty was an intelligent dog with boundless energy. He would play ball and fetch for hours with anyone who would play with him. Although he would play with anyone he did not give his affection easily. You had to earn Mighty's love which made it all the more precious. Mighty was originally destined to be a service dog so after we raised him for the first year he had to return to the Lion's Foundation for final training. After a month they called us to take him back because they could not teach him anything. He came home and settled right in, he had really chosen us and became an integral member of our household. There is a lot of pain associated with the loss of such a well loved dog, but all the joy he gave us has gradually become what we think of most.