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In Memory Of
Our big girl Dreama. Why do the good ones always have to leave so soon? The picture of you with your ball forever in your chubby cheeked jowls will remain with us forever.
Ole Rocky boy. You've been with me from the very beginning. The OG: The Original Gangster. From the streets of Los Angeles, to the silver screen of stardom. You will forever be "my star".
Rambo, Rambo, Rambo. Boy oh boy did we have a rough start or what? You came here a tough guy and left here an angel. How many times did you bite me? Too many. But when you got stuck in the jacuzzi, well that's when I saw your silly side. But you came around and became a true family member. Damn the house feels so empty without you.
You've been called many things in your 18 years with us. The old crone, the bitch, the queen bee, but to us you are the true Spirit. You trusted me enough to travel around the world with me when you had your big break at stardom in "The Jungle Book". Your boys Lobo and Nashaka miss you terribly and your Cheshire Cat smile will always be remembered. Go with the wind lady. Damn I miss you too.
Sara the ultimate queen herself. Never has there been such royalty to grace us. It was an honor to have ever met her let alone have her reside here with us. Every day was a day of sunshine in Sara's eyes. I don't think she ever woke up on the "wrong side of the bed". She was loved by so many and her reign will live on.
Poor Billy Bob, when you came to us 7 years ago, a dog from a shelter full of scars, we hoped and wished for a different life for you. For 7 years you were loved here at Villalobos, while awaiting a loving home. Someone sure did miss out on you Billy Bob. It's a shame dogs over the age of 3 aren't given much of a chance now a days. We will never forget you, and loved each and every moment we had with you. From chasing after you, when you went to go tell all the cats who was boss, to your very last night with us.
SHAVAR came to us August 2001. She was one of my first abuse cases. I noticed her when I was doing a routine walk thru the South Los Angeles animal shelter. She was a skeleton draped in black skin laying on the concrete floor, barely able to lift her head up, not able to walk. She had been brought in that day, confiscated from someone's yard, starved almost to the point of death. I knew she didn't stand a chance at the shelter so I decided to take her. We had to carry her to the car because she was literally too weak to stand. On the way home, we shared a burger at Burger King and made the trek up to the rescue. She was very un-trusting at first but it didn't take long for her to realize that I was here to help....especially after seeing that she was now sleeping in my bedroom. Her crate became her safe haven and she reluctantly came out to stretch her legs and do her business. It took years for her to trust anyone besides me. She finally discovered that being a part of our volunteer program meant going out for walks and laying in the sunshine. This is where she met Connie. Connie would sit with Shavar for hours just to let her relax and get belly rubs. This is what Shavar lived for. She now began to enjoy life. But all good things must come to an end. And this past week, I noticed that Shavar was having a hard time walking and when we rushed her to the vet, he said that she was having neurological problems due to tumors on her spine, probably cancer. And because she was now very old, any type of surgery or even trying to fight the cancer would be too hard on her. So we made the very difficult decision to let her go. Jessica was there by her side making the journey to the life beyond, just a little easier. But the pain still lingers with us all. Another great friend is gone.
When stanley was at the rescue I didn't really care for him much. He seemed to lack personality and life. Little did I know when I brought him into my home that he would be so silly and have such great organizational skills. But more than that, his gentleness and sweet kisses are what made me fall in love. I haven't had my heart so filled with a dogs love since my previous dog rambo had passed. I miss coming home late at night and not having him do doughnuts around my tiny room. I miss not being able to sleep because he was standing over me breathing in my face. I miss his mushy mouth. I miss his clumbsiness. He meant alot to me and I will never forget him. I miss him everyday. Stanley defintely took a piece of my heart.
He came to me as the "renegade of L.A. City". Deemed "L.A's Most Wanted" due to his wild ways, he was banned from the area and brought to Villalobos to live out the rest of his life. But I saw something in him, that others didnt. He was so unassuming, so grateful for whatever attention I could give him. He never caused a problem here and always had great things to offer. I miss him very much and so will his friend the Renegade Squirrel, who lived for each afternoon to come over and tease the hell out of him thru the fence. It was a game they both enjoyed. The day Apache passed on, the squirrel didn't show up. He never came again. I don't know how he knew, but he did. I guess he misses him too.
I'm so sorry that it had to end the way it did, Blue. Sometimes things happen that we just can't explain and no matter how hard we look, the answer doesn't come to us. You always were the one who not only marched to the beat of his own drummer, but you had your own marching band :) I still look under my desk to see if you're there, but you're goofy blue eyes are gone. I'm so sorry, Blue.
Brutus our "Gentle Giant" Having been with us for such a short time, it's amazing what an impact you made on our lives. Bringing you home to our menagerie of dogs could have been overwhelming, but your old soul fit right in. You were our protector, our peace keeper and our family man who perfected the "stink-eye" in the most endearing way.
You learned to swim, albeit reluctantly. The warmth of the spa was more to your liking. Your willingness to try anything was amazing and all you asked in return was a hug and a cookie.
Brutus, you came into our home a fat, barely walking old man and in a few short months turned into a slim, beautiful and happy boy. We will forever be grateful to you, and really can't imagine life now without you. The memories will be with us always and your paw print will be forever close to our hearts. We will miss you "Brut-dog"
To Potential Adopters:
We adopted Brutus in May of 2009. 11 years old and not in the best of health we knew we could make a diffrecence. These wise, old souls deserve to be loved and pampered and we have made that our mission. It can be a little challenging and maybe an extra vet visit or two, but the loyalty and love they give you in return is priceless.
If you are considering adopting please don't forget to look at the not so young ones. Your life will be rewarded in so many ways, and they will know they were loved........if only for a short time.
Carol and John Mallet
My dear sweet Grandpa. I am so happy to have had you in my life. Seeing your old grey face for the first time at the rescue, I knew I had to have you! I am so grateful for our time together. I loved your grumpy old butt. A house full of Pit Bulls and you were the only one that kept that damn Frenchie of mine in line. I hope you knew and felt loved for the short time you were with us. My room is so empty without you. I will miss you, my little shadow.
Though she will be very much missed by her owner Angela, she is being "remembered" by friends - Janine, Joan, Harriet, Marve, Paula, Sandy Thomas, Joanne and Dee.
You touched so many hearts. Letting you go was one of the hardeset things I've ever had to do. My little sheep in wolf's clothing, who were the kindest soul we've ever had here. Loving everyone and life itself, I only wish you could've stayed with us longer. I miss you so much, Howie.
He was our grumpy man, our sour puss, but what a character. We will miss his attitude and his cute smushy face. Why do the good die young? Hang in their buddy, we'll all be joining you soon.
Lost came to Villalobos October 10th 2005 with the last of the Katrina Dogs. The dogs that nobody else wanted. Lost was in the worst condition of all the dogs, she barely had any fur on her, was severly underweight and pregnant. Her skin was pink and raw from constant scratching from allergies that were made worse from the dirty hurricane water. Not a particularly charming or out going dog at Villalobos, and looking as ugly as she did there wasn't much hope for Lost to ever find a home. Then one day a friend ('Saint' Rita) called us looking for a dog. She had recently lost her pitbull of 13 years & said 'Give me the ugliest most pathetic dog, who needs a home the most desperately'. Lost & Rita's
lives were forever transformed. Almost instantly Lost blossomed like no other dog we have ever seen
before. She went from a depressed pink mess to a happy outgoing pleasantly plump fun-loving girl. Rita & Lost were soulmates, spending every day together at work and curling next to the fire at night. Rita found a miracle drug that transformed Losts skin and she grew fur for the first time. Rita
scratched Lost when she itched and gave her a life that Lost had never even dreamed could possibly happen. In return Lost never took her eyes off of Rita and lived to be by her side. Tragically August of 2008 Lost was diagnosed with bone cancer and on September 14th she lost her battle. She is now skipping in the clouds delighted for her year and a half of absolute heaven on earth. Lost is truly missed and her Cinderella story gives hope to all those ugly sickly dogs that nobody wants.
If ever there was a queen, she was the one. We will miss you so much.
THANK YOU TO THE WARNER FAMILY FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
Your owners deemed you "useless" and left you for dead in the animal shelter. For me seeing you for the first time, was like finding a treasure. It was love at first sight for both of us. Though you were labeled "too old" by the losers that dumped you, you were my King. But someoone of something up above, had better plans for you and in such a short time, took you from me. But our final night together, curled up on your doggie bed, was priceless. For this I thank you for all you taught me. I think about you all the time and you will always remain in my thoughts and heart.
Though you were a cross between Hannibel Lector and Freddy Krueger, you brought such joy and humor to my life. I thought because of your tenacity that you would never leave me. I was prepared to have you "torture" me for the rest of my life here in Earth. Yet the higher powers to be, decided that they needed someone with your fight, to join them. I will miss your drool, your crooked teeth and the disgusting way you farted and snorted. But most of all I will miss the way you loved me and as tough as you were on the outside, I knew the real Wally.
Twiggy (formerly Panda) was adopted in 2001 from us by the MacDonell family. Until January 2012 she was a much loved member of their family and had enjoyed a special bond with Eva in her later years. She was the fabulous friend of her boxer buddy but mostly, the MacDonell's miss their beloved Twiggy, they said she was a blessing for them all. Run free, Twiggy, you were loved.
Jan. 20, 2012 - this sweet five month old pup was cruelly poisoned and left his owner, Tiffany, broken hearted. Run free, little one, you are in good company now.
In Memory of Heather, who lost her battle with cancer on February 10, 2012 at the young age of 36. Heather was a huge fan of the show and is at rest now in her favorite Villalobos sweatshirt with her dog, Shadan, who passed before her. Heather is watching over her loved ones including fiancee, two children, two dogs and we send our condolences to everyone who loved her. May the great memories replace the sadness, Heather lives forever in the hearts of those who knew her.
Allan "DOGS RULE" Gifford
Harley (known as "Buster" at the AHS) was adopted through their pit bull program May 20th, 2011. He became my best friend in just one day. After a very rough year of battling cancer, open heart surgery and losing the best dad a girl could ever have, he taught me to open my heart again. That I deserved to be loved unconditionally. He was all sugar and puppy kisses. He was my life. Being disabled, he was my companion 24/7. Yes, he was a rescue dog, but he rescued me. He became very sick suddenly and passed away October 19, 2011. He was only 16 months old. I miss you so much baby...I know you're watching over me from the Rainbow Bridge.
Beloved member of the Victor family, Apollo lost his battle with cancer and was buried on March 17, 2012. He touched many lives and is missed by all who knew him. Run free, Apollo.
Beautiful Tripper was a beloved family member for 12 great years. Found wandering alone as a puppy, he was completely devoted to his rescuers and is dearly missed by all who loved him.