SAD NEWS FOR OUR DK & DRC FAMILIES

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

With heavy hearts and tears, we are sad to share the news of the sudden and untimely passing this past Friday of one of our most beloved DK & DRC family members, Joyce Berry; best friend. life partner and wife of our own Dane Berry (Guinness, Rosco & Honey), Doodle mom to Guinness, Rosco (DRC Class of 2010) and Honey (DRC Class of 2013).

Not many were aware that Joyce had been battling with health issues on and off over this past year. Always putting others before herself, Joyce did not want to burden friends and family with worry. Especially, when a routine scan revealed the unthinkable just 3 weeks ago; a very aggressive form of pancreatic cancer was rapidly spreading throughout her body.

Joyce was at home in the loving arms and care of her beloved Dane when she passed peacefully in her sleep. She was surrounded by her doodle babies who seemed to instinctively know that their momma was sick and about to leave them. One by one, they gently crawled up on the bed next to Joyce and never left her side.

Please join us in extending our prayers, support and deepest heartfelt sympathies to our dearest friend Dane, the Berry fur-kids Guinness, Rosco and Honey and to the entire Berry Family.

Condolences can be sent via mail to:

Berry Family / Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch
P.O. Box 237
Black Creek, GA 31308

Dane has asked us to include that Joyce requested donations in lieu of flowers, be made to Doodle Rescue Collective Inc. in her name.

http://doodlerescue.org/page/donate

Thank you

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a lovely memorial for Joyce this is, and donating to the DRC in her name is a fitting tribute.  Done.

[BG and Gavin]

Sad, sad news.  I will always remember storiesshe shared about the travellings of her pack and her wonderful videos sharing Honey's reunion. Condolences to her family.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

She was a blessing to everyone who had the good fortune to know her, and she will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace, and may her loved ones find comfort in their memories of her. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Truly heartbreaking and so sad.  She was a very special lady and one who will be truly missed by all.  I loved how her Doodles were her children and she shared so many wonderful videos of their parties and outings. I also loved to see what kind of Pizza she was going to make for her Friday Pizza/Movie night.   When she and Dane took on Honey a whole new door opened with love.  It was one of the most incredible stories to me.  RIP sweet Joyce!  

[Gail and Bailey]

Deepest sympathies go to Dane and the family.  Donating to DRC is the perfect way to honor Joyce.  

[Donna K & Quincy]

So terribly sad. The world has lost a wonderful soul. My deepest condolences to her family and her beloved doodles on such a terrible loss. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sad that such a loving and generous person is gone. Her doodles will surely miss Joyce and I know that they and Dane will comfort each other.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

So very sad. The world has lost a wonderful and compassionate  soul. My deepest condolences to her family and friends and her very much loved doodles.

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/sad-news-for-our-dk-drc-fa...

[Carol and Banjo]

So very sad.   My sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I am so incredibly saddened by this news. In life, the best walks are always too brief. Those sweet Doodle babies will miss her greatly and so will Dane! She touched so many hearts and lives and Im sure Heaven is rejoicing because she is there. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

So very true Lori!

[Kate Roshon]

This is a version of The Rainbow Bridge that I found that might be appropriate. I am so sorry to hear of this loss!! 

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch. 

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. 

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. 

But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. 

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting. 

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. 

You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding.. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. 

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. 

"Watch, and see" said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together. 

"What happened?" 

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge."

"I think I like rescuers," said the first animal. 

"So does God," was the reply.