Our foster beagle Buttercup was a beautiful old soul. Her time with us was short, but we will love her forever. Buttercup had a hard life, living outside in a kennel or at the end of a chain for most of it, having litter after litter of beagle puppies for family after family, only for them to be sold to earn her keep. When she couldn't make puppies anymore, her owner said that he would "sell her or shoot her." A very kind volunteer purchased her and brought her to BREW. We were lucky enough to foster her after that, and to bring her home.

Buttercup had a gentle spirit, loving and trusting, despite her rough life. She learned to run and play with the bigger dogs at our house, to come when called, and to find the softest dog beds or the warmest lap for cuddles. Boy, did she love to be cuddled. She was a friend of everyone, and approached even the tiniest toddlers with her gentle eyes smiling and tail wagging. Everyone who met her loved her.

One Saturday, Buttercup became very sick. She wasn't interested in food or treats, and she seemed very tired. When we learned that the veterinarian couldn't help her, we brought her home to spend the afternoon and say goodbye. Our boys kissed her when we walked in the door, and she nosed around the yard a bit with them. When she tired, we took her upstairs for a group nap on the bed. Then we took her to a second vet, who told us that either her liver or kidneys had failed, and it was her time. The vet was very kind, and offered Buttercup a handful of turkey and cheese. Like a true beagle, she snarfed down the turkey (the first she'd eaten in a week), then told us she was ready. At the end, she made one last grab for the remaining turkey, and passed on, snoring, with two pieces of turkey hanging out of the edge of her mouth. We think she was trying to take it with her! We imagine that Buttercup is now a healthy, happy, - and popular - beagle at the Rainbow Bridge. In her honor, and that of our beloved beagle Obie who passed away at age 14, we will always have room in our hearts and home for the white-faced seniors that come to BREW.

- Susan & Curt