Nearly every week I have the good fortune to blog about goings-on at Corgi Connection of Kansas Rescue. The focus is naturally on the dogs, but behind their stories are the unsung human heroes who make it all possible.
Rescue is fraught with joys and sorrows both. As rewarding as they can be, rescue, fostering and transport are sometimes hard work. Those who work shoulder to shoulder undoubtedly form special bonds with one another. Last week, Corgi Connection of Kansas suffered the sudden loss of one of their own. Her name was Joy Cabe, and she will be greatly missed by many.
“Joy contacted me through my website” recalls Jeanette DeMars, CCK founder and director. “Not sure how and why she was looking at Corgis as she had never owned one, but she wanted to foster.”
“After much consideration, she took in her first rescue, an adorable little female Corgi named Ruby who was eventually adopted to a wonderful woman in New York. Joy was with Ruby at the First Kansas Corgi Gathering last October.” (Photo above).
“Then she took in a pair of siblings from a shelter in Missouri. Karen and Kelly and were terrified; with her quiet demeanor, Joy helped them to learn to trust humans. The girls were subsequently adopted together.”
“In between fosters, Joy helped with numerous transports. She also enjoyed quilting and met weekly with a group of friends to quilt together. Eventually the Corgi bug proved to be too much and in March she adopted 13 year-old Tilly, aka Matilda Peacock, when her previous owner could no longer care for her. Joy was quite smitten with the grumpy ol’ girl.”
“Joy did quite a bit of transport work for CCK, as she loved to drive and owned a big red pick-up. Her last foster was Dozer, whose adoption was finalized just this week. She met Dozer’s previous owner and kept him until we were able to place him in another foster home, where he failed as a foster! (They kept him).”
“In June, Joy and Tilly headed to Washington, D.C. area for a visit with her daughter and only child, LeAnn Cabe. After months of planning their once in a lifetime trip to Ireland, they were thrilled to finally be going. During her time away, Joy had Tilly boarded near LeAnn’s home, so her girl would be there when she returned stateside.”
Joy and her beloved Tilly were en route back to Kansas last week when their car tragically left the highway in Indiana. Both lost their lives in the accident.
Tilly, who bounced around like a bunny and insisted on following Joy everywhere, followed her to the very last — and beyond. Good girl, faithful Tilly. Good girl.
She sounds like a wonderful woman. Please extend my sympathy to her daughter as well as the Corgi Rescue.
A very beautiful and touching memorial for Joy and Tilly. Thank you for sharing their life story with us.
Beautifully written and heart breaking. What a story!
Beautifully written and heart breaking. What a story!
This story brought tears to my eyes. Although my first love it cats, I know that dog owners feel the same way I do about their pet.
oh this is so sad, but beautiful.
I'm so sorry for loss of both. Thank you for sharing their story with us. Joy will greatly be missed, but good to know Tilly was with her until the very end. Please let her daughter know how sorry I am for her loss. Thank you
Typing through tears. A beautiful story, beautifully told. Good girl!
Laurie,
This story broke my heart when I first saw it on FB.
I remember when Jeanette had Tilly up for adoption. Something about that beautiful face really touched me & I thought long and hard about adopting her.
But she was meant to be with Joy and now they are together forever, across the bridge.
Soft wags, woofs and arooos to Joy's family. She was a special person and I am sure she will be sorely missed.
God bless
Mary Kaminski
Philly, PA
Mary Kaminski,
I too was touched by Tilly's story and photos last year. And very happy when she got adopted.
I never met Joy but feel I know her from what people have told me about her. Joy was a fitting name :).
Together forever — I hope with all my heart they are.
Rescuers in Maryland feel your loss. Today my foster family will attend Joy's Memorial Service.
– Adoptable Debbie Dog