Memorials
If you would like to memorialize any of your deceased companions, please email text and photo of the memorial to m_alt@burkeveterinaryclinic.com.
Cats: Chelsea | Topper | Cleo | Marky | Leah | Robin | Sasha | Cosby | Simba
Dogs: Cecilia | Max | Daisy | Sally | Maggie Manning | Binky | Tinkerbell | Bryn | Goldie | Shannon | Nikki | Merlin | Britta | Jacob | Calypso | Belle | Billy Bob | Duchess | Shayne | Maggie | Wendy | Cinnamon
Chelsea
Chelsea was with our family for 16 years. She made our house a home and made our family complete. She actually chose us!
It had been 2 weeks since our cat Bonnie (13) died in PA. We were having a yard sale and out of nowhere this little kitten showed up. Turns out a lady down the street had gotten her and another kitten from a shelter and kept them outdoors. Daughter Angela was 6 and son Nick was 3 years old at the time. Angela is now 22 and graduating from VA TECH next month. Nick is 19 and a freshman at WVU. We would like to thank Dr. Alt for the support and understanding in which he helped us in this situation. Chelsea had been diagnosed with a thyroid tumor and we had started medication for it. But over the past few days her health/state had been rapidly declining. Despite that she remained the sweet and affectionate cat she's always been. It has been a traumatic week with the tragedy of VA TECH as well. We were overwhelmed to receive such a wonderful note regarding our beloved cat Chelsea. She did have a long and very full life and we are grateful to have had her a part of our lives and family for as long as we did. She will always be in our hearts and she will always be a part of our family. The Arbia family would like to thank you all again for your care of Chelsea and your compassion regarding our family's loss.
Topper
Topper was born sometime near June 1, 1989. I picked him up as a kitten at a flea market near South Hill, VA. He earned his name because if I sat down, he was on top-er my lap. If I bent over, he was on top-er my back. If I lay down, he was on top-er my head or chest – he was on top-er anybody. He loved people and was good at turning skeptics into cats-aren’t-so-bad kind of people. Topper was just a few months shy of his 18th birthday. RIP 6/1/89 – 4/15/07
Cecilia
In loving memory of Cecilia, who joined us when Edna and Cora were in kindergarten and second grade and who stayed with us long enough to watch both of her girls graduate from college. Martha, Cora and Edna Martin
Cleo
Cleo 1990- May 10th, 2007
I loved Cleo so much. She grew up with me. I am an only child and when I was three years old my mom and stepdad decided to adopt two cats. I wasn't with them when they went to the animal shelter but my mom tells me all the time why she picked up Cleo and our other cat Lulu. Cleo got my mothers attention with her extremely loud purring that seriously sounded like a dove. When I would call my mom from college to say goodnight to her at night, I would always hear Cleo purring in the background and it would be such a soothing sound that made me miss home. Cleo was such a funny cat. I swear she was the real cleopatra in her past life because she acted like she was royalty and always made sure her physique was perfect. No joke, it wasn't that she was sick or didn't like the food, she was always just thin, not sickengly thin but pretty thin. She walked, actually no, she strutted. She was the queen of the house. She had her spot on my mothers bed and none of our other 3 cats were allowed to sit there. We were told 3 years ago that she wasn't going to live within 6 months when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But Cleo always came through, she was amazing. She had to have a surgery last year to remove a growth and came through it beautifully. She only recently got sick the last couple months but we loved her and doted on her untill the very end. She was my sister. And I still can hear her purr. I miss her so much. I could fill up a whole page or more with what I loved about Cleo. But I can say she is sorely missed.
Max Hayes
In memory of the best companion any human could be blessed with... Our Max-a-Million Hayes, aka. Mr. Max, Max the Wonder Dog, Mr. Maximoto, Black-toed-Dog, Mama's Boy, Truck-Dog, Ferry Dog. Mille and Vicky miss you. We miss you. Rest in peace and enjoy all the chewy bones you want in dog heaven!
Love, Mommy and Daddy
Daisy
Although we lost our beloved Daisy too soon and miss her terribly, we were blessed to have had her in our lives.
Sally
Sally came to me on a cold December day in New York 11 years ago. She was only a puppy and was starving. She happily approached a group I was with and when no one wanted to take her, I volunteered. A man that was there offered to catch her and when he put her in my car, she just sat in the front seat happily as I drove home. I fed her and she fell asleep content with a full belly under the Christmas tree. The next day, I took her to the local shelter and a few days later when no one came to claim her, I adopted her. Over the years, we moved together numerous times but she was always there through the ups and downs as my loving companion. Eventually, I met my husband who she instantly adored and we settled into life together as a family. We took trips to Vermont together and she loved hiking the property with us. After our daughter, Zoe, arrived, Sally was as protective of her as she was of my husband and me. Sally became very ill suddenly and we lost her unexpectedly. We are glad that she did not suffer needlessly, but losing her was like losing a part of our souls. Sally - we love you, miss you and we'll meet you at the bridge! Love, Melanie, Tom and Zoe
Leah
Leah was our family cat even before we had a family! She was adopted by Sarah in 1990 when my she was in college. Leah moved around with us from Michigan to Georgia to Virginia. She was the sweetest kitty, never cross, never hissing, even as our two children were babies grabbing fistfuls of her hair. Allison (8) and Megan (6) had known Leah their whole life and loved to lay with her for hours when they were feeling ill or scared or just tired. I remember one time Megan went to lay with Leah and fell asleep behind the living room chair - Leah never moved, just stayed with her. Leah loved people, licked fingers and noses, climbed trees and decks and tried to go on walks with us - I think she thought she was a dog! She had grown older and slower but still happy and affectionate. Her death was a shock to the family and we still can't believe she is gone. The Quade family will always be grateful to Drs. Deutsch and Alt for their compassionate care of our Leah. She will be remembered forever. We love you LEAH!
Merlin
He was simply the best corgi. We miss our buddy, and our hearts have a huge hole in them.
Britta
Britta was raised by my brother Gary - we have known her since she was born but she only lived with us for three years. Whenever we went to visit all the dogs at his house, Britta would always just come up behind us and sniff our butts, and when we would turn around she would run away. We always knew it was her behind us. Once he finally gave Britta and her sister Boca to us, she didnt have a choice anymore on running away. She was stuck with us, and after awhile she began to figure out that our house was her new home. She was always so goofy, she always loved to play with Natalie all day long, she loved going on long walks in the woods, running around in the tennis courts, and she also loved playing in the snow. She went from being a black german shepherd to an all white one - she never would shake the snow off! We will always love her and cherish the moments we had with her forever. We love you and miss you Britta aka poop. Love, Mom and Natalie.
Calypso
Calypso was our dear companion for almost 15 years. She was a small dog with a great heart who brought our family only joy. We will always miss you Calypso!!
Belle
I was blessed to have sweet little Belle in my life for 14 1/2 years.
Belle was 1 1/2 pounds when I brought her home at 7 1/2 weeks of age.
She was scared, but it didn't take her long to become comfortable and
start exploring.
The backyard was her happy hunting ground. It was August and crickets were out. This little puppy caught a big one in her mouth which I
quickly removed! Yikes! I freak out over any bugs!
Belle was so easy to train, it seemed as though she almost taught
herself housebreaking. Maybe part of that was because she loved being
in the backyard!
Belle taught me that Chihuahuas are very intelligent. She learned how
to work out on a treadmill and oh, how she posed for the camera. She
never seemed to mind all those goofy little hats and clothes I made her.
She would sit up and pose and hold a flag or flower between her teeth.
Of course I gave her the treats she loved the most for her work...
carrots and green beans!
Belle's picture appeared more than once in the National Enquirer and
some womens magazines. Her picture also appeared in the Washington
Times and a neighborhood paper. She also won several top prizes at doggie Halloween parties I brought her to.
Belle was not a regular visitor to a nursing home, but she did visit
one on a Christmas morning dressed in a little elf outfit, much to
the delight of several elderly people.
One of the nicest compliments I recieved about Belle was from a
repairman who came to the house. He said she was the only Chihuahua that
didn't bark at him and try to bite his ankles! I am sure there are
other Chihuahuas that were and are as special as Belle was, but to me,
Belle was a gem.
I have many precious memories of Belle that I cherish.
I will never forget my little Belle.
Simba
Dear Simba~we miss you terribly! Remember how much you loved when Laura fed you pizza? You were a wonderful friend and we loved you very much! Thank you for 16 years of happiness! Love, Your Family
