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Thursday Morning October 11, 2018
Gem of the Day: Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may
fail, but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
We have lost two dear, dear Small Paws friends
over the past three weeks.
I didn't tell you sooner as I was waiting
on obituaries and online guest books for
you to see and be able to sign.
In both cases, I've just learned that both
of them did not want an obituary, guest book,
or a memorial service.
But their families said it is ok for me to
come and tell you.
On Sept 16, 2018,
Brant Cramer went home
to be with the Lord.
Brant was my friend
and mentor. He served
on our Board of Trustees
from 2003-2011,
when he retired due
to health issues.
He was very ill in April, and I flew to Leesburg,
Florida, to say goodbye. This was the picture
taken when I surprised him by walking into
his hospital room. Amazingly, he rallied
and lived five more months.
Brant turned 85 years
old in July.
He is survived by his wife, Edie, and a son,
Michael.
I loved this man. This man loved Small Paws
Rescue with all of his heart.
I remember one morning early, at a kill shelter
in Florida, a couple of hours from his home,
a young healthy BICHON GOOD LORD was scheduled
to be euthanized.
Brant was our Florida Team Leader at the
time. It was 0:00 Dark Thirty, and Brant
himself drove to the shelter at 4:30 in the
morning, to make sure he got there before
ANY employees.
The "guy" came in at 6:00 A.M.
to complete euthanasia.
Brant wasn't taking any chances. He got on
the road EARLY.
But first, he stopped
at a local donut shop
and got a dozen donuts.
Then he drove to the local police station,
explained that he was from out of town, what
he was doing, and that he didn't know if
he felt comfortable sitting in the shelter
parking lot, in the dark, all alone. (Yeah,
right. He told me he had his two best friends
with him. Smith and Wesson. Hey. That was
Brant.)
So the police went
with him and together
at 5 in the morning,
they sat in the parking
lot, eating donuts,
until THE GUY arrived.
With lights flashing, the police car pulled
beside his car, and Brant almost jumped him,
right there in front of God and everybody.
Brant left that morning with that dog and
two others, (for other breed rescues) and
the "GUY" didn't get to do his
job THAT morning on ANYONE.
That was Brant.
Brant wasn't a man
of faith, until nearly
the end. He thanked
me for telling him how
to let God into his
heart, along with sending
this picture.
Brant Cramer (1933-2018)
Trustee Emeritus
Leesburg, FL.
Brant held the title
of Trustee Emeritus.
Brant spent several
years in the military,
stationed in the
Far East and in Europe.
He worked in the
automotive industry
for
many years. He retired
from a project management
assignment. Brant
has proudly served
Small
Paws Rescue for more
than 13 years before
retiring again. Brant
instigated the concept
of "Team Leaders"
for Small Paws,
many years ago. His
wisdom and guidance
are
still appreciated,
daily.
Brant wrote this on August 12, 2018, for
me to send to you.
"This is an open letter to all Small
Paws Members, Trustees, Volunteers, and especially
those of you who have never
fostered.
In my last days, I reflect on my adventures,
and accomplishments. The thirteen years I
spent fostering and rescuing stand out as
the most rewarding. I urge all of you reading
this newsletter to foster one of our Bichons.
You will find it to be one of the best decisions
you have ever made.
My best regards to
all the Small Paws
family
Brant Cramer"
We will see you again, Brant. Our prayers
are with Edie and Michael.
Many thanks to Pat
and Chris Smith for keeping
me updated daily,
during those last months.
~~~
Jane McDonald (1943-2018) of Fairview, TX.
and "Irving" back in 2007.
Jane McDonald, of
Texas passed away on October
8, 2018 after a nearly
year long fight with
cancer.
You will remember Jane as the Mom of the
infamous "Irving" of Irving, Texas,
from back in September of 2006.
Read About How We
Fought City Hall and WON
for Little Irving
Jane was a good friend
to Small Paws Rescue.
Upon hearing of her diagnosis last November,
I drove down to Dallas where Vicki Furstenburg
and I took Jane to lunch. We were all still
in shock. She had just been diagnosed with
lung cancer, though she never smoked. A persistent
cough made her go to the doctor. She was
supposed to leave on a cruise in just two
weeks.
She seemed very healthy
on that bright November
day in 2017.
But things began
to decline. I went back
to see her last summer,
but the cancer had
already gone to her
brain. I wasn't 100%
sure that she knew
me at that lunch, but
she always seemed
happy and never complained.
Jane wasn't married and didn't have any children.
She is survived by a brother and two nieces.
She fought the good fight and she won that
fight. I know where she is, and now she is
no longer in pain.
The older we get, the more loved ones pass
away, it seems.
These two within
three weeks was hard for
us, but glorious
for them.
Brant is with Duffy
and Charlie and Jane
is with her beloved
Irving.
Jane requested to
be cremated with
the ashes
of her three previous
dogs, including Irving.
There will be a day
when each of us will
close our eyes for
the last time on this
earth.
Do you know that
you know that you know,
where you will open
them?
It's time to think
but these things now,
as Brant and Jane
did.
You all know that you always have all of
my love, Robin
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