Dear Friends:

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Thor, the yellow labrador so many people have been fighting for. This past year has been a battle, to say the least. We've had some victories and some setbacks, as those of you following Thor's plight (and the six other starved labs) are well aware.

Cheryl Postma, Director of the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter (Grayling, Michigan, USA) has been caring for Thor since January 11th. Note that on the picture above I list that date as Thor's date of birth. In a sense, it was. On January 11th, he was 'born again' . . . this time, as a real dog who learned how to play and do the things that dogs do. And he was given food on a regular, consistent basis . . . something I doubt he'd ever had. Cheryl's dedication and love for Thor gave him the perfect opportunity to recover from his ordeal.

I was informed a couple of months ago that Thor had developed congestive heart disease on the right side of his heart, and his prognosis was grim. This, of course, came as no surprise, given the exteme starvation he endured. Rather than put him through risky treatment which he probably would not survive, Cheryl decided to allow Thor to just 'be a dog' for the rest of his days. She promised Thor and herself that he would never, ever suffer like he had in the past. When his condition worsened to the point of continuous pain or discomfort, she would make the responsible, if difficult decision to end his suffering. This is the letter she sent on Friday, October 19th:

Today I had to make good on my promise to Thor that he should feel no more pain. His heart had become too weak to comfortably sustain him and he had begun to suffer. So, with many tears and the support of our friends at the Grayling Hospital for Animals we said goodbye to our golden boy.

In a bitter moment I might feel as if we had won the battle but lost the war. But, I am not bitter. I am thankful that Thor came to us, that he did not leave this earth without knowing love. These past few months he had joy. He chased a ball out in the yard, took long walks in the woods, played with friends and curled up to sleep at night knowing that he was safe and that someone who cared for him was near. All of those generous people who donated funds to save his life should know that they did not just save him, they gave him a life. No matter how short, it was good and it was his. Perhaps it isn't about the destination after all, but the journey. Today Thor began the next part of his journey. I will miss him terribly and wish that he could stay and walk with me but it seems that God had another plan for Thor. We gave him love and kindness. He gave back joy and hope and I think the understanding that we have to go on and do our best to be sure that no animal leave this world without love and the feeling of peace, safety and joy. That is a beautiful legacy for a beautiful golden dog.

Cheryl Postma
Director
AuSable Valley Animal Shelter/ASCC
"Kind Hands and Warm Hearts"

This world is a better place because of people like Cheryl Postma. If you would like to e-mail her with a note of support: wedare2care@provide.net Her e-mail address says it all. Please understand she will probably not be able to respond to your note; that doesn't mean your kind words won't be read and appreciated.

Throughout these past months, I have not made solicitations for donations; that's not what this mission has been about. Many people came forward on their own because they wanted to do something to help. If you are interested in making a donation in Thor's memory, I would direct you to:

AuSable Valley Animal Shelter
PO Box 384
Grayling, MI 49738

A special fund has been set up ('Thor's Fund') to help animals in need of medical attention.

If this is your first visit to this site, be aware it has been written in the present tense (as things were actively transpiring). I am currently in the process of re-writing it in a more 'current' form. Please keep this in mind as you read, and begin with the home/welcome page below.

And thank you to the hundreds of thousands of people from around the WORLD that cared. An animal abuser was put behind bars, if only for thirty days. Six dogs who would have suffered the same fate as Thor were rescued in time, and, as of this writing, are thriving. Unfortunately, the individual has not yet been charged with animal cruelty for the six other dogs removed from his home in January. Maybe that will change soon.

Chris Wright
November 3rd, 2007

LABS & LIES - Chapter 1: A Shot in the Dark

LABS & LIES - Chapter 2: It Doesn't take a Rocket Scientist

LABS & LIES - Chapter 3: And Then There Were Six

LABS & LIES - Chapter 4: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

LABS & LIES - Chapter 5: Rattling Cages & Furious Rages

LABS & LIES - Chapter 6: With Labradors and Justice for All

LABS & LIES - Chapter 7: Black Friday

LABS & LIES - Chapter 8: Puppygate

LABS & LIES - Chapter 9: GUILTY! (UPDATED 6/22/2007)

LABS & LIES - Chapter 10: Justice . . . Crawford County Style (added 7/11/07)

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