[Dailydrool] Jill Peterson - A Rescue Drooler travels to the bridge.

[basset911 at aol.com]

Every day for the last 15 years I have picked up the phone at the end of the evening and chatted with my Jill.  It's only fitting I share this post on the Daily Drool as that is where we met so many years ago.  I was just starting research and rescue of blue bassets, and had posted looking for a pool of Blue's that I could follow health issues on for their life.  It is astounding to read last weeks drools and see the discussion of Blue's appearing again.  Jill Peterson who was saving doggies from the streets answered that message all those years ago, and we became the best of friends.
Jill's love for bassets was like so many of ours and she gave of her time and self beyond compare.  Serving as a board member of a group that was failing, she and Dian Olmstead founded Golden Empire Basset Rescue so that the hounds of the central CA area would not be missed.  Struggling for the last many years to find funding, volunteers, the hounds kept coming and Jill was their only foster home through most of those years.
Every night for as long as I have known Jill my conversation started out:  How are you?
And almost every night the response was that her pain level was low - and she was getting through her days.  For the last 2 years there was not a day without pain. Some days all she could do was to cry into the phone.  We have a long history Jill and I.  Many tears, many smiles and so many memories to flood the mind.  Her illness escalated at the end of last year and she has struggled with health issues all of 2014.  Her hospital stay this time around was long overdue and I think she knew she would not be coming home.  Her passing on 5/31/14 a mere hour before our Memorial Balloon Release was shocking to many.  Her good friend Dian stayed by her side though it all and Nancy & Judy were present along with family and friends as she crossed to the rainbow bridge.
I can barely wrap my mind around not being able to pick up the phone and tell her of the daily tidbits.....  I suppose I no longer need a phone.  Old habits are indeed hard to break. So many of Jill's babies are awaiting her - many of ours also knew her as Aunti Jill.  I know that party at the bridge is something to behold.  As I think to breathe I realize it is comforting to know the next baby I hold and sing to will have Jill to gather them up and continue that song.  We dedicated the balloon release to her and had a private one later in the day.
Jill is free of pain. Our hearts are broken and I shall miss her every single day, but I can rejoice in knowing that she is in a better place.
The efforts Jill an Dian started will continue.  Her board has stepped up admirably and pledged to continue her work.  Due to her illness and the ongoing difficulties in the Bakersfield & Central CA areas, funding has been the biggest hurdle to overcome.  In honor of her, and in her memory GEBR asked for help in setting up this fundraiser to honor her - and help the homeless hounds.  For those local to Bakersfield - we are including the service information.
Jill Peterson's Funeral will be held Friday, June 6, 2014
Visitation form 10 - 11 a.m.
Funeral at 11:00 at the LDS ward building
2309 9th Place. Wasco, 
Burial Shafter Cemetery
At this time we would like to provide a way for Jill's memory and Legacy in her community service work to continue. A special contribution page has been set up. http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/jill-peterson-legacy/185748


The loss of her smile, her wit and her friendship is so very difficult.
I did not loose a friend on Saturday, I lost a Rescue Sister.  Yet we all gained an Angel.
May her love shine on all the souls that come into her view.


Dawn of the West
Basset Rescue Network at Daphneyland
www.daphneyland.com
www.facebook.com/daphneyland
661 269-2682
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