Hello Celebritys

I opened an email headlined
Rose Caldwell 2001-2009 early this morning and was confused for a few minutes. Who died?

My bleary brain started working as I read on. Rose - our little Rose. She was one of our all time favorite dogs. She lived with us for the good part of a summer while recovering from a rough beginning. Her adopter attached BR's Happy Ending bio for Rose to this sad note as part of her eulogy:


Miss Rose
'This beautiful creature achieved a sad form of celebrity status when she was removed from 3 Oakland youths who later pled guilty to setting another pit bull puppy (Theo) on fire. True to their brave and hardy breed, neither the hairless (mange infected) Rose nor the severely burned Theo showed any lasting ill effects from their crappy beginnings. Like a Little Elfin Queen, Rose kept her impish personality and tomboy confidence, and never failed to offer cheerful greetings to an adoring public wherever she went -even (and especially) children. She embodies so many qualities that are classic pit bull that having her around made us fall in love with the breed all over again. Rose is a VERY smart, responsive little dog ever eager to show the world how incredibly vivacious her pit bull kin folk can be. She was adopted by an active SF couple and their pit mix male. She gets to jog with her athletic 'daddy' and anxiously awaits her opportunity to play Nanny's Helper to the couple's soon-to-be-arriving first child. Congrats to everyone in this busy, loving family.'

Attached to the email was over a dozen photos outlining Rose's life with her adopters: Camping adventures, a pregnant belly being inspected by a gentle Rose, heaped on the sofa with a new baby, a car ride next to a toddler, dress up parties, endless cuddling sessions by an affectionate family. My eyes burned with tears. This former cruelty victim's new life had been meticulously recorded as she participated in every important family event. She was family, no doubt, and will always be a part of the Caldwell's memories. We couldn't ask for a happier ending to the story of Rose.

From her human mom:

Dear Friends

I just wanted to let you know that our beloved Rosie was put to rest this morning around 8:30 am. Rosie was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer and a tumor in her abdomen which had likely spread to her lungs. Our family is very sad. Rosie was truly one of the best living creatures I have ever known. A wonderful family dog from beginning to end, Rosie endured countless "riding" and dress up by toddler girls. A wonderful companion and friend, she is terribly missed in our home.

Best

Kristin, (Robert, Lola, and Skye Caldwell)

Our heart goes out to the Caldwell family for their painful loss.

Rest in peace little prick eared Rosie. You did such a good job here on earth.