R.I.P. Lady - 1993-2011

'The guardian at the cross-roads'

xx Lady, a Swiss Mountain Dog cross who was the 'Gran Dame' of the PAWS Shelter dogs, died peacefully on Monday 24th January 2011. She had had a heart problem for some time, but she was active right until the end. However she had a stroke on Monday morning. She was rushed to PAWS vet, but reluctantly the decision was taken to put her gently to sleep to spare her any further suffering.

Lady was by far PAWS oldest and longest-standing resident. Born in 1993, she had been in PAWS' care since late 1995, when she came into the old make-shift shelter adjoining Vera cemetry.

Most dogs who come into PAWS' care - particularly those who have lived with a family - are desperate to find a new home. Lady was the exception. She seemed to find her family in the community of volunteers who have worked at PAWS over the years, and a decision was taken after 18 months that she should become a permanent resident and unofficial PAWS Mascot.

When the Sponsorship scheme was introduced Lady was PAWS first sponsor dog, and hundreds of supporters over the years have given us money in Lady's name. Latterly she lived in the Shelter Office, either on a bed next to the shelter Manager's desk, or if the office was crowded she would slope off to a basket in the corner furthest from the door.

But she was active right until the end, despite her discomforts. She belied her name in one particular respect - she was a champion rat-catcher! No rat-terrier could hold a candle to her when it came to decimating the local vermin population. She showed the way to successive generations of Sponsor Dogs, and was always to be found in later days with Henry and Kiri, with whom she formed the triumvirate of PAWS Elders who came from the old Vera Shelter in 2002.

Karen Polansky, Paws President, writes: " Lady occupied a position of real importance at PAWS - she was the guardian at the cross-roads for all who entered or left, particularly at the old shelter. She would greet each new dog coming in and show them where to eat and drink. She took them under her broad wings and took away their fear and uncertainty. She even showed them the secret sleeping places.

She (and Henry) symbolize so much of what we are about. I know there will be others to represent PAWS but none like Lady, our best ambassador and ratter, and the one who returned over and over to her favorite place...PAWS."

Lady's passing will bring a pang to the heart of every volunteer who worked at the shelter over the past 15 years. She was well-named, because while universally friendly to the other dogs she didn't rush to visiting humans demanding attention - she checked everyone out carefully and if she decided you were OK ... only then could you be her friend.

She will be sadly missed, but never forgotten by everyone who knew and loved her.