Memorials and Tributes
Below are loving memorials for the pets Forever Memories has helped. Each is written by the family who loved them throughout their life.
Sharing our pet's story can help us begin to process the grief that comes with such a loss. If you would like to add a tribute for your pet, you can do so by filling out the
Abby
She is missed, our grandchildren grew up with her. This is the day we adopted her. Whenever I would try to take photos of her, she would get up and walk away.
Sugar Plum
I suppose every rescue pup comes with story. Not sure they all have as many chapters as Sugar's. It seems the longer I spent as a volunteer, I realized that when plans don't work out there is a bigger plan. Sugar was an unwanted Father's Day gift. The unhappy Dad called wanting to give up the screaming pup locked in his bathroom. By the time our administrator had made the trip to pick her up, he thought he should keep her to breed. Words no rescue person wants to hear. Being a fabulous negotiator, Sugar was secured for the price of a power drill and a case of beer. Little and cute, what should have been an easy adoption turned into a lengthy process. Three potential adoption s fell through and six months had passed. Our lives and the lives of the resident dogs were in chaos. Then came the morning that Quinn Dylan had enough of her terrorizing. He bit her ear so hard she carried the scar for her lifetime. However, a level of respect had been instilled and we all became grateful. Sugar never met a stranger and she was a special foster sister to many pups. She remained a bit naughty and loved to push our buttons but she kept life fun with her antics.
Life seems very empty without her but we are so grateful for fifteen years of love.
Poppy
My mom and Step-dad got me Poppy and her sister Millie when I was in 6th grade; now at the date of Poppy’s passing, I have been graduated from high school for over a year now. And those years with her are ones I will always cherish in a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, Poppy’s sister Millie passed very suddenly within less than 2 years of getting them both. But to everyone’s surprise, as guinea pigs are herd animals, Poppy was behaving much happier being by herself. As I grieved Millie, Poppy was there to put a smile on my face with her wheeks as she bounced around her cage. And while she never liked cuddles, she comforted and soothed me by letting me sit on the floor next to her cage and listen to her crunch on some lettuce and letting me hand feed her. It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning without her wheeks, which we have best translated to mean “Hey mom! Stop sleeping and get up! I’m hungry for breakfast!”. And I will miss watching her try new fruits and vegetables for the first time, and the accelerated chomping when she finds out it’s her new favorite (that is why I chose that picture, it was her enjoying one of her favorite apple flavored treats). I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to be able to spend all of these years of growing up with her; it feels like a gift. Poppy- my baby, my sweetheart and my little sidekick, Mommy misses you.
Melky
Melky was my favorite companion. He was such a large presence in a small body. We will miss him so much. Run free forever my boy
Olivia
Miss Olivia was a handful from the beginning. She had quite the personality. Everything was on her terms. She wasn't much for toys, but get a plastic spoon out and she would play fetch with you. If any other pets would visit she would hiss and swat at them, but never with her nails out. She wanted to be sure they knew it was her home. If anyone left a suckered on the table, it became her toy. So many memories. She was very loved. Thank you for your kindness and care. Your compassion made a big impact on me.
Lucy
Lucy was found in a barn in southern Illinois, and we adopted her when she was approximately two years old. When my husband started working midnights, I decided I needed a guard dog, and I chose Lucy. Little did I know she was definitely not guard dog material. Instead, she became something so much better: a deeply loved member of our family. Lucy loved food, especially pizza crusts. For the next eighteen years, my husband rarely got to eat the crust from his own pizza because Lucy was always waiting for it. It was hers. No question. She may not have been the guard dog I thought I was bringing home, but she stole our hearts instead. We were lucky enough to have nearly eighteen years with her, and somehow, even that wasn’t nearly enough. ❤️
Ace
On June 26th, 2026, at 1:29 pm our beloved Ace crossed the Rainbow Bridge in his home surrounded by his family. Arrangements entrusted to Forever Memories Pet Care. Ace had a rough start to life. He was found on the streets of Chicago where he was placed in a kill shelter. A young man who had a soft spot for Chihuahua's saw his big brown eyes and decided to foster him. 15 months later Jeff and Sylvie came across his photo and profile on Pet Finder.com Needless to say they fell head over heels for him and adopted Ace in 2020. Ace was very spunky, sassy, and mischievous, and he always got his way! He absolutely loved road trips with mom and dad. He went to the mountains of Montana, the beaches of South Carolina, to the Canadian border in Minnesota. He finally had the life and family that he deserved to have and that loved him immensely. Ace is survived by his human mom (Sylvie), dad (Jeff), and his fur brother (Freddy). The Heller's would like to thank Grandma and Grandpa for puppy sitting over the years. Ace loved going to run free in their fenced back yard. Special thanks to Dr. Julia and Dr. Kevin Sugden, and all of the staff bat Blackhawk Veterinary Services. They provided his care since he moved to the country. Ace was a little sweet guy with a huge heart of love. He was resilient, gentle, loving, and will be missed greatly. He truly lived a great story!
Maggie Mae
Maggie Mae was more than just our dog — she was part of our family, our constant companion, and one of the sweetest souls we’ve ever known. She was incredibly smart, full of energy, and could play catch for hours without ever seeming to tire. Some of our best memories are of Maggie outside with our son, faithfully following him everywhere, always ready to run, play, and be by his side.
As the years went on, Maggie became my shadow. Wherever I went, she was never far behind. Whether I was walking through the house or sitting quietly, she was there beside me, loyal and loving in a way only a dog can be. She slowly became “my dog,” and the bond we shared was something truly special.
Maggie brought joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love into our lives every single day. The house feels quieter without her, and we miss her more than words can say. We will always cherish the memories we made with her and carry her in our hearts forever.
You were deeply loved, Maggie, and you always will be.
Planxty
When Planxty joined our family he was 6 years old. We were concerned that we wouldn’t get to share our lives for as long as we wanted because of his age. But he gave us 9 years. We like to believe it was his best 9 years. He was goofy and gentle and loved every creature he met and every toy he ever had was cherished. He was cautious getting to know new people but once he knew you, he knew you were his friend. For life. He was easily bribed with food and let us know everyday at 4:00 that it was time for ice cream. He was weird and quirky and he was our best friend. We miss him tremendously but know he completed his heavenly work on earth and had to move on to where he was needed next. We were so lucky to have known him and loved him for so long.
Aero
Aero was an absolutely beautiful and gentle lady. She was a champion breeder with 18 champions in her family line. We got her before her 7th birthday when she was retired from breeding. She was so smart, so gentle and the most obedient and well behaved Sheltie out of the 5 we have had. I still cry. She is missed and forever loved.
Seamus (Shames)
Seamus (Shames) was a beautiful soul. He was timid but would come to you for kisses when he wanted to give them. It was an honor to care for him and love him. In his younger years he enjoyed playing with the other dogs, running in the yard, and laying in the sun. In his elder years he enjoyed lounging with us while being pet and eating treats. He was such a good boy and will be missed so very much. 💙🐾💙
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Potato
Potato came to me during my short stint at Animal Emergency Clinic. Her owner loved her dearly, but during her stay at the hospital they experienced their own health crisis and could not take her back. I volunteered to be her home and caregiver for her golden years. Since she was already an old lady, she was fairly set in her ways - which included demanding breakfast at an early hour with ear piercing barks. She never met a rug she didn’t also think was a potty pad and had a comical waddle that I never really knew if it was from arthritic changes or just how she was put together. Her favorite hobby was sleeping on one very specific square of the couch and no one else was allowed to sit there or they would get barked at while her abnormally long tongue flopped about. She liked laying RIGHT next to you, but not on you. She hated the car. Her decline was gradual - her fun waddle outside turned into laying next to me while the other dogs ran, she stopped waking up to use the bathroom, and her seizures were less controlled. She passed on her favorite spot on the couch, after eating a giant spoon full of peanut butter. I’m glad I was able to share part of my time in this life with her.
