Memorials

Since House with a Heart opened in 2006, we have said good-bye to over ninety of our cherished residents. They will always remain in our hearts and we are eternally grateful for the time we had them in our lives. We find comfort in knowing we fulfilled our mission by providing them all with a loving home for the last years of their lives.  On this page we honor some of these special friends.

• 

  Sissy – Memorial

  Age: 18

  This little girl was adopted and stayed with her people for many years.  They moved and couldn’t take her with them, so they gave her to a friend.  She was petrified when she came, but in a day, she started to relax. Four days in, and she is running with the pack! We were told she is between 16 – 18 yrs old.

  The Doctor just saw Sissy and said that her glucose was alarmingly low and that it could be caused by cancer and a few other really bad things. She had several other bad blood work results as well and something showing up in her intestines that was not normal and one side of her heart was enlarged. The only way to know exactly the cause or causes would be to do a lot more diagnostics and spend several days in the hospital to find out and she would have to have a tube put in through her nose and down into her stomach and even after all that the prognosis wouldn’t be good so Maria chose to stop her suffering and is with her now to let her go. (April 5, 2025).

• 

  AJ – Memorial

  Age: 14

  AJ was found on the streets in Virginia in horrible condition. He was matted so terribly that it had caused sores and bruises all over his body. His mouth was seriously infected, his toe nails turned into his pads causing infection and he was scared and hungry! Likely due to all of the horrors he had to face he could sometimes have behavioral issues. While trying to adapt to life with people again, AJ lost his first adoptive home, and didn’t do well in his first foster home.

  Our sweet Aj is now at peace.
  Despite all of our efforts, it became clear that his little body was fighting too hard, and we couldn’t let him suffer any longer. It was the kindest and most loving decision to let him go before his condition worsened, but it doesn’t make the heartbreak any easier. (Dec 2, 2024)

• 

  Dewey – Piper’s Pal

  Age: 15

  “Dewey, had a full work up and dental in September, His mouth was one of the worst we’ve seen. The cost was almost $3000, but he will now be out of pain.”  From Mid Atlantic Scottish Terrier Education and Rescue – M.A.S.T.E.R

  Another new fospice boy, Dewey, from Mid Atlantic Scottish Terrier Education and Rescue! Doesn’t he have such a great smile?  He was end of life with Cancer almost 15 years old.  Dewey was such a happy pup. Interested in absolutely everything especially bully sticks.

  1-22-25: Our sweet boy Dewey went to heaven today.
  Over the last couple of days, he wasn’t feeling well, and his bloodwork showed severe anemia, likely from internal bleeding caused by his advanced lymphoma. We knew our time with him would be short, but we made sure every moment was filled with love, comfort, and care.
• 

  Bella – Memorial

  Age: 17

  Bella and her two sons Hudson and Ciroc lost their home when their owner died. They were scheduled for euthanasia when someone called House with a Heart to see if we could take them. With just hours to spare, we made room for all three senior pups.

  Bella, who wass 16 years old was a mellow senior lady who was never far from her two sons. She was an attentive mom to her boys and has a sweet disposition with anyone who wants to spend time with her. Bella had an enlarged heart, dental disease and a bad cough.

  Our hearts are hurting tonight.. we had to say goodbye to our mama Bella. She was doing well right up until she wasn’t. We noticed her breathing was a bit off, so we rushed her to the vet. X-rays showed a significant amount of fluid surrounding her lungs, which made it very difficult for her to breathe. Given how much she was struggling, we decided to end her suffering and to let her go peacefully. (Oct 2, 2024)