Barney’s Story
Barney was born under a bush in the cold and rain—left there, perhaps by his Mother, because he was different from the rest of her litter. His left rear leg was only a short stump and his jaw all twisted sideways, but he was alive and ready to see what this new world had to offer for a fine little handsome scoundrel. Happily he was found, and finally, when he was almost three years old, came to BrightHaven, or as we were then known… Read more
Beau’s Story
Beau came to BrightHaven in 1993 with his brother Louie-Louie. His loving elderly lady owner was forced to go and live with her family in Hawaii and could not take her boys. Louie, a huge, old sweet boy, settled quickly in our home, but Beau took a little longer. He was strong and tough and although already geriatric by modern standards—he was not at all sure he was ready for retirement in any shape or form! Read more
Bentley’s Story
When in the very prime of his little life at around 1 year of age, Bentley was involved in a car accident and suffered a broken back, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. He came to live here with us, initially sad, depressed and unwilling to face the bleak future. Being a cat, Bentley soon changed his thinking and became our huge inspiration as he bravely taught himself to walk, laugh and play again…Read more
Charlie’s Story
This gorgeous girl arrived here in April of 2004, mourning the death of her beloved person. Subsequently, her human “uncle” had taken her, along with sister “Honey” to a vet hospital—one girl tucked under each arm, dumped them unceremoniously down, and requested euthanasia. Thank goodness for our kind friend Sally, who contacted us, so that both Honey and Chewy could continue their lives at BrightHaven. Read more
Dafne-Ann’s Story
Dafne-Ann has lived in our house for almost four short years. Daf, Daffage, Daffy duck or a million of the other silly names I have for her, came to us after the demise of her much loved lady. Thankfully, her son Rick felt impelled to do the right thing for his Mum and find the purrrfect place for her girl to renew, refresh and live out the little time left to her. I say little time, as fifteen year old Daf brought with her a list of medical issues and surgical procedures, so long as to prove daunting to even the strongest of readers. Read more
Duke’s Story
This is the story of Duke, a tiny Betta fish with the heart of a lion.It was April 2010. I had lived in my current apartment in Somerville, MA, for a little over six months and I was a happy cookie since my pesky, slightly weird and smoking (literally, not figuratively) downstairs neighbor had moved out a few weeks previous. But why did I keep hearing disturbing noises coming from his apartment in the middle of the night? Read more
Frazer’s Story
Frazier—a 34 year old cat-hero with a facial cancer, who refused to die. Frazier went into death throes many times and even stopped breathing many times, before he returned to life to try again. Frazier fought death so many times that it became a joke that he would start to die in the afternoon and by night, would be requesting a second plate of food. BrightHaven animal Reiki teacher, friend and author Kathleen Prasad came to do a photo-shoot for her new Reiki book (see Resources section) with her many… Read more
Furbee’s Story
Our journey began way back when Furbee was a tiny kitten of only two weeks of age. Driving down a busy high street in Southern California, a rescue lady noticed something suddenly precipitate from the window of the car in front of her, to land in the gutter. Driving by, she caught a glimpse of what looked like white fur…and so the story begins! Furbee, so named by this wonderful kindred spirit, Sharon, remained at the vets overnight with massive… Read more
Harley’s Story
Libby, one of BrightHaven’s long time volunteers came to visit one day, telling us she had promised to rescue a sweet pig, who was on his way to becoming “a bunch of Christmas hams” and now she did not know what on earth to do with him, as her own house and yard was hardly big enough for her dog! “Speedy” as he was then known, started life as a 4H project, where he was raised by children, fattened up and then taken to market to be sold for slaughter. Read more
Hope’s Story
This remarkable dog was born with a major heart defect as well as no eyes. Rejected by her Mother and given for euthanasia, baby Hope was cared for by shelter staff who just could not resist her charm…After many months Hope found her way to BrightHaven to be cared for as she left this earth—and there began a change in her story. When BrightHaven discovered that a dangerous heart surgery might be possible… Read more
