We are so Thankful for Hemi

On March 30th we had to put down our 16-year old dog, Hemi. Hemi began her life as a stray but then had the good fortune to end up in your facility. It was in March 1994 that my husband and I, as newly weds, came to the Newport News SPCA to adopt a dog. As soon as my husband saw a young, orange mutt he knew he wanted her (I wanted the Brittney Spaniel).

Well, we decided on the young, orange dog and our name was first on her waiting list. We had to wait just a few days, then she was ours. As a young couple we traveled frequently by car and plane and Hemi was the perfect travel companion. We lived in Virginia, Texas and then Florida and our Hemi enjoyed every move and every adventure. She was so very independent and confident, no matter where she went, she knew that we would be near.

Over the years Hemi fought many battles with her health. The largest of her problems proved to be a tumor growing on her front leg. The tumor turned out to be cancerous, and inoperable. Luckily the cancer did not spread and a specialist suggested we remove her leg. So in the summer of 2006 Hemi became our three-legged dog. She did so well in the beginning and it was like she felt refreshed and strong without the tumor. As the years went by she simply became weaker and weaker and required rides in her wagon to go any distance.

Hemi had such a strong spirit and really loved life. Even when she was virtually immobile it was her love of dinner and treats that kept her going and was the highlight of her days!

Hemi taught us so much about life, perseverance and patience. We are so thankful to you for bringing Hemi into our lives so many years ago. Click here to view Hemi Memorial Video.

~ Thank you for all you do, Carrie, Ben, Madison, and Dana Eytalis


It's Magic
My husband and I adopted Magic (part Lab and Doberman) when was just 6 weeks old from the Peninsula SPCA, and what a handful he was. He already had a attitude and could get aggressive if he didn't want to do something. We were very concerned about the aggressiveness in him, but decided with love he would grow out of it, which he did when he learned that we only had love for him. My husband walked him up in Colonial Williamsburg everyday from the time he was 3 months old to his last walk at 16 years old. Magic had his picture taken by people from all over the world, and he had a special place in his heart for children. If the child was too small he would get down on his front legs so he would not tower over the child. He was my fishing buddy, he would sit on the bank as long as I had a pole in the water. When I would catch a fish and it was too small, I would call it a Magic fish. He knew I would throw it back in the water at which time he would drive in for it and sometimes he came up with it in his mouth. We would drive to Michigan once a year, and he would sit in the backseat the whole ride, looking out the window, never once would he lay down until we reached my mother's house. Their are so many fond memories of our beloved Magic he has been gone for two years but we think about him all the time. I want to Thank the Peninsula SPCA for giving us such a great friend.

Thank you!
~ Debra & Richard Harrod