Adopted November 7, 1997
Died November 27, 2000

I was so pleased when Franklin, pictured on the right, was adopted by a wonderful couple from Pennsylvania. Before his rescue, he was dumped by a roadside with an oozing tumor on his side. We treated him like the little Prince he was, disgusted that anyone could treat such a precious soul so horribly. Franklin recovered in our care. We thought for a time that he was going to stay at his foster home forever. He had been there for eight months! Why no one wanted this sweetheart was beyond us. Perhaps because he was older. That is the story of too many unfortunate lives, I'm sorry to say.

Franklin made patient waiting an art form. Then finally it happened for him. He went to a loving home, and he was happy.

Now Franklin has gone to Rainbow Bridge, and we are heartsick over his loss. Please read the words of his grieving mother. She included this picture and asked that I share it, too. You can see how loved he was. Precious old man. Wait for us at the Bridge, okay?  One day, we will all pass that way, and how joyful the reunion will be.

Please read below.

This is the most difficult letter I've ever had to write. On 7 November 1997, Franklin entered our lives, and on 27 November 2000, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and end his suffering.

In the three short years that Franklin lived with us, he faced many adversities. In October of 1998, he was diagnosed with severe allergies to just about everything around him. He had to take daily medication for the allergies. In April of 1999, he lost the eyesight in his left eye due to glaucoma. In May of 1999, after consulting with an ophthalmologist, his eye was surgically removed due to swelling and ulceration. Yet through it all, he was quite the little "trooper." He took everything in stride, never complaining.

His final trial started in October of this year. On 17 October, he became quite ill and was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, hemolytic anemia. He spent four days in the hospital at our local veterinarian's place and seemed to be responding to treatment. But after he developed a heart murmur and other complications, we took him to the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania on 17 October for further testing and examinations. 

Two days later, following an ultrasound on Franklin's abdomen and an echocardiogram on his heart, he was sent home on various medications. Once again, he seemed to be responding to treatment. After a roller coaster ride of good blood counts and bad blood counts, things took a drastic turn for the worst on Thanksgiving day. He steadily went downhill over that weekend, and by Monday, 27 November, it was abundantly clear that he was not going to recover. With me by his side, holding him in my arms, his life on earth came to an end.

I can't begin to tell you how sad and empty our lives are without Franklin. We miss him so much. Even though we still have our other two Cockers, Franklin's passing has left a huge void in our hearts. He was such a wonderful part of our family. Only time will help ease the pain.

Now Franklin is at peace, and he doesn't have to be the good little "trooper" anymore.