Our Goodbye

The following open letter to our friends and supporters was published on June 1, 2003.

Dear Friends of Home for Life,

We are sad to report that Iso, the retired K9 from Missouri who was featured on Animal Planet's A Pet Story, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on February 23, 2003, at nearly 14 years of age.

He had struggled for about 5 months with hind limb paralysis, but had learned to use a cart well. With his strong will and determination and upper body strength, he was able to walk some distance 2-3 times a day using the cart.

We so hoped that he would be able to use his cart this summer, to enjoy the freedom to move around the sanctuary grounds and greet our many visitors. Unfortunately, he also had developed significant heart problems which we were unable to control with medication. He seemed to rally for a time, but then passed away suddenly on Sunday morning, before we could get him to our vet.

Although his death has left a huge hole for us at the sanctuary, we are glad that our staff who had cared for him during his nearly 3 years with us were with him when he passed. He knew even at the end that he was loved and cherished.

We also take comfort in the fact that he was happy right up until the time he died. He had been moved into our main building and loved being right in the center of things. A favorite memory is of Iso on his orthopedic cushion, sleeping in the afternoon sun, sharing his bed with a couple of our cats!

He was a wonderful ambassador for Home for Life^®, whether through his appearance on Animal Planet, on his trips to area schools for presentations, or meeting and greeting our sponsors and donors who visited the sanctuary.

He was a ham and a true star! We will treasure our memories of this great and courageous dog, who worked hard for 11 years as a police dog, protecting and serving the public in Missouri, before coming to Home for Life^® for the last 3 years of his life.

Iso, we love you and miss you. Rest in peace. —Home for Life

Iso being petted by two schoolgirls and their teacher

Iso's Story

Beginnings

Iso was a retired police dog from the Belton, MO Police Detective Unit. Iso's partner, Detective Billy Jones, was unable to keep Iso at his home after the dog's retirement because he was barking and disturbing the neighbors.

Detective Jones believed that Iso was bored and frustrated with nothing to do all day after his career of 11 years with the police force. Because of Iso's age (12 years) and his specialized training as a police dog, he was not suitable for adoption. We were excited to accept him at Home For Life^®, where he took a new role as the greeter and guard of the Feline Isolation Habitat building. We believed that it was important for Iso to have a job that would make him feel worthwhile and important.

Stardom

The Discovery Channel's Animal Planet came to the sanctuary during November 2000 to film a story about Home For Life^®. Iso became the focal point of the story, titled "Iso's Goodbye." The program documents Iso's arrival at the sanctuary. It premiered on June 1, 2001 on The Animal Planet Network under the segment A Pet Story.

Golden Years

After "Iso's Goodbye" debuted, people all over the country who saw the program wrote to inquire about how Iso was faring. Following the filming, Iso continued to thrive.

At 13, Iso was arthritic, but still enjoyed getting up to our exercise run to stretch and trot around on the soft sod. He acquired a roommate and girlfriend, Skya, a spayed 8 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback cross, who tolerated his bossy behavior. Iso was thrilled to have her join him in his doggie townhouse. When he first met her, he pranced about like a young dog again, and proceeded to bring his toys to show her! Iso and Skya enjoyed sitting together and watching the activities at HFL, Iso on his hammock, Skya at his side on the ground, like a couple on their front porch.

Despite his retirement, Iso willingly performed a variety of jobs as one of HFL's most eager adn patient ambassadors. The snapshot at right was taken during one of his many visits to area schools.

"Iso's Goodbye" has been rebroadcast a number of times through subsequent seasons, never failing to touch and inspire viewers who saw Iso find a loving home for his retirement years after a lifetime of service as a police dog.