In the summer of 2007, my husband and I and our 2 poodles were shopping in Pet Smart in Dale City.  A PAL volunteer came up to us with a beautiful white standard poodle, saying she needed a home.  Her story was that she had belonged to a breeder but that once she was too old to have puppies (make money for the breeder), she was dismissed.  She was full of fleas and ticks and dry marks on her limbs from laying on a hard surface.  The Pet Assistance League took her and cleaned her up and were now looking for a home for her.  I was interested but with 2 poodles already didn't feel that I could afford a third.  We left the store but Lucie plagued my mind.  Two weeks later I called PAL and was happy to hear that she was still available for adoption and I arranged to pick her up.  I was so excited going to get her and bringing her home.  Our family was now complete.  She'd had her voice box removed but still let us know she wanted her breakfast each day.  She got along well with our other "kids" and soon got used to sleeping on the numerous dog beds and even on our bed.  She survived breast cancer and a partial mastectomy; an enlarged liver, a heart murmur, blindness and deafness.  She enjoyed her birthday "Bone parties" and her special poodle stocking filled with delicious treats at Christmas.  She loved the attention and treats she often got.  Unfortunately, Alzheimer's got hold of her and after watching her deteriorate we realized we needed to say goodbye to her.  On October 27, I held her as she took her last breath at our vets office.  She may have started her life as a "working dog" but left this world a very much loved member of our family.  We miss her and can't imagine our lives without her.  But I know that now she is running, and barking at Rainbow Bridge and I can't wait to see her again.

Sharon and Larry Levy

Woodbridge, VA

We like to pay our respects to those PAL alumni that have crossed over Rainbow Bridge.  We realize it is a very painful time, but when you are ready, we'd be honored to receive a picture and brief narrative to include on our "In Memory Of..." page, our Twitter feed, and/or Instagram.  Please, email it to our social media volunteer at 4PALpets@pal-va.org.

Lucie Levy

PAL lost Kevin on August 10, 2014.  Please click on the image below to visit his Rainbow Bridge Memorial Residency.  Please feel free to sign the Guestbook while you're there.

​​The Pet Assistance League (PAL) of Virginia