To the Editor:

We lost our fur baby, Rosie Filkins. Believe me when I tell you our hearts are broken. We never loved a dog like this one.

She was 10 years old and she died surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness in April. Rosie was born on Christmas Day, abandoned, rescued then adopted from her loving family at the Joyful Rescue in Cuba New York, in February 2007 after I found her online and fell in love with her loving face.

Rosie grew up in Westerlo and loved running and chasing the squirrels who were tormenting the birds at the feeder by sneaking around the corner and surprising them. Rosie loved her  bacon snacks and would sit and beg every night, waiting for Mom to come to bed and again in the morning when Mom was leaving for work. Then she would jump back in bed with Dad.

Rosie’s favorite vacation was going to Fish Creek in Tupper Lake every spring and fall and riding in the bike basket with Mom out to get a Slim Jim at the Trading Post, or walking the bike trails two or three times a day plus taking a dip in the lake upon return.

In 2013, Rosie went cross country with her Mom, Dad, and sister Sparky Barky all the way to the Pacific Ocean where she took a look and said, “No, it’s not like the Upper Saranac; I’m not going in. It keeps moving.”

Rosie was loved by all who met her across the USA as she was so adorable. She would get so excited when we went to Ohio to see our daughter Pam and her family. And the minute we pulled into Pam’s yard, she was thrilled as she knew where we were. She loved spending time with our daughter Kim and her family when Mom and Dad were away.

Rosie is survived by her Mom and Dad, Betty and Richie Filkins; her sister Sparky; her step sisters, Pam Brush and Kim Stempel; her good friend and playmate, Shadow Seymour, along with other wonderful friends. Rosie has been cremated so her ashes can be spread in her favorite spots with a little left at home to be lovingly remembered.

Special thanks to Dr. Diane Biederman-Brynda and Dr. Kim Ellis at the Schoharie Valley Veterinary Clinic and their wonderful staff, as well as the Upstate Veterinary Specialties who helped us keep Rosie for an extra three months after she fell severely ill in December.

Donations in Rosie’s name may be made to Joyful Rescues in Cuba, New York, online at: http://www.joyfulrescues.org/.  A memorial service will be held in Fish Creek on June 11 and family and friends are welcome to join us to celebrate the wonderful life of our fur baby and amazing doggie,  Rosie Filkins.

Betty and Rich Filkins

Westerlo