Rascal passed away on January 12th, 2002 after 3 wonderful years as part of our family. His gentle nature, exploration, antics, chatter, and kisses will be missed by all in our clan. After a valiant effort to defeat cancer, he chose to say his final farewell close by the side of his devoted protector, Sandy.

We pray the Great Spirit has chosen to reunite him with his kind to play and explore in peace and comfort for all eternity.

Stash moved on to the Rainbow Bridge on March 2nd, 2004 after surgery to remove a second cancerous adrenal gland. The surgery was touch and go, but Stash managed to tough it out long enough to make it home to spend her goodbyes with us. She passed away in th loving arms of her "mommy" and now has Rascsal to romp with and curl up to.

We will miss her, but warm loving memories of her will comfort us the rest of our days.

She came to us one bright Saturday morning via a trip to the Lancaster, Ca pound back in 1990. Just a puppy, she grew to become a big, beautiful Irish Wolfhound/Old English Sheepdog mix with the kindest, gentlest personality. She ruled the house for 12 years. Unfortunately, she passed away earlier this year and we'll miss her forever.

Sam (Samster The Hamster) was our beautiful little miracle boy. We stumbled upon him for sale at a local swap-meet here in San Diego. A trip to the vet revealed he had been born with Mega-Esophagus, had polyps growing through both eardrums, and had mild seizures from time to time. He took it all in stride and never complained about anything.  We made it possible for him to live a nearly normal, happy, and fun-filled life for the better part of four years. Sam developed a tumor on his kidneys and fought it to the end. He passed away peacefully on Friday morning December 20, 2002 at 9:30am. We loved him dearly and we will cherish our memories of him forever.

Shoshoni was my sweetheart of cats and was found in an abandoned car. She answered to 'Pee Pee'. I know that is strange, but it started from 'Pipsqueek" because she never had much of a voice. She didn't 'Meow", she squeaked. One day, she seemed very much out of sorts so I  took her to the animal E.R. in Barnhardt. She was diagnosed with Feline Leukemia despite being vaccinated, and in the last stages preceding death. The end came peacefully. It was very difficult to say goodbye. I am going to plant something beautiful with  her ashes...

Callaway was found near Callaway Creek/Callaway Forks Road and at that time was nothing much more than a little furball unable to take care of himself. It wasn't very difficult for Bruce and family to decide to bring him home. Callway was also Sharky the Rott's best friend and cohort in crime. Callaway was the ultimate escape artist and would often visit the nieghbors and then sneak back in the yeard before anyone noticed he had slipped off. Him and his fun-loving gentle nature will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Sharky, a lovable giant started out as the runt of the litter. When Bruce and family went to pick out the new pup it was Sharky that picked them from the start. All the other pups were busy doing other things and hardly noticed the Barnetts, but Sharky took a liking to them and let them know he was boss and was coming home with them. Sharky was Callaway's bud, and learned the art of escape from Callaway. Gentle natured, Sharky was the self-appointed greeting committee anytime someone dropped by and had to get his attention first before visitors could go on. Vehicle tires were for two things. Chewing on and, well, you know. Sharky was a loyal and loved member of the family for 12 years. He will be remembered fondly and missed, but the years with the family will be treasured.

Princess was found (or should I say she found Sandy) sometime around early 1991 in the Warrenton Wildlife Area, lost and covered with ticks. I was told no matter where Sandy walked, there prancing behind her was this little white tick covered pup with big dark sad eyes. Needless to say home she went and became a Higgason overnight.

Princess crossed the Rainbow Bridge August 14th, 2004 due to heart failure, but we know now she is romping as she did in her younger days with many new friends at the Rainbow. She will not be easily forgotten as she has left us all with many fond memories.

Rich and Merri-Ann Picked out Angel at the KC MO Humane Society in 1990 for Rich's Mom, Barb. In his younger days he acted as if he were a circus dog and prone to flying leaps. Full bore across a room, one powerful leap, and airborne at full velocity into someone's lap! He was not quite as agile in later days, and was a bit more portly than in his youth, but still enjoyed a lap from time to time. He had gotten wiser though, as he knew he could mooch attention from beside Grandma's chair without going to the extra effort of having to jump up into a lap, which was usually Princess' domain anyway.

Angel crossed the Rainbow Bridge December 13th of 2004 after a valiant battle with diabetes and it's complications. He and princess now once again romp and vie for attentions leaving behind many fond memories and stories.

Skeeter and Scooter came to us as adoptees having lost the interest of their original owner. Not so here. Skeeter was the mellower of the two buddies and cagemates. He was not particularly fond of having a camera pointed at him and somehow could sense it., hence no picture. Skeeter developed insulinoma which had probably spread rapidly thorughout his system. Even though we had the insulinoma in check, months after the surgery he took a nose dive and in less than two days had lost the battle. 

Skeeter crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the Spring of 2005. We wil miss his attention mooching and playful exploration.

Scooter is our needy child these days. Having had to battle cancer on several fronts, he is subject to daily doses of medication to help regulate his low blood sugar levels due to inuslinoma. He as always been mellow in comparison to Crash, and was Skeeter's cagemate and lifelong buddy until Skeeter passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. We know we are not going to win tha battle with the cancer in the end, but he is a fighter and is doing well for the time being. He has suffered some parlysis in caboose area and now lives up to his name scooting around.

Scooter crossed the Rianbow Bridge October 1st of 2005. Finally at peace and no longer suffering the ravages of cancer, treatment, and complications he now romps with his brothers and sister Rascal, Stash, and Skeeter. When I have walked my path the last time I hope it leads me to them and we will once again play the games we once did.

Crash, Stash's bud, has grown into a huge bumbling nut. About twice or better the size of Stash, Crash earns his name in more ways than one! When this guy sleeps, he SLEEPS! A nuclear bomb could go off and he'd be oblivious. Crash also fits his agility level as well. Clumsy doesn't come close. It's a good thing he's made of rubber! I have seen him take tumbles from the top level of their 3-story cage and act as if nothing happened!

Crash crossed the Rianbow Bridge early summer of 2006. Yet another victim of cancer, Crash fought to the very end and is now once again romping with his sister and lifelog friend Stash.

This is the oldest of the bunch (and I mean bunch). His real name is Angus but he also goes by Angus McGrumpy, Angus McSniffy, Grumpy, or Grump'og. We've had him since about 1993 and he was 5 when we got him. He earned his nicknames by grumping about everything and no smell gets past him. He remained with us 12 wonderful years.

Angus crossed the Rianbow Bridge September 19th of 2006. Old age finally caught up with the old grump and the time came to join his brothers and sisters that had gone before. May Wakan Tanka guide him on his journey and re-unite us when we must also walk that path.

We found him in Rolla, Missouri in a small creek (Beaver Creek actually). As I walked down a small gravel road I happened to look down a gulley and there was this little fur ball with floppy ears, scared, hungry, covered with thousands of ticks, and shaking like a leaf. He looked like he had tangled with a bobcat! I don't guess he would have lasted much longer as he was way too young to take care of himself. That poor little sad face did a number on my macho biker image!  =] 

Beaver crossed the Rianbow Bridge October 11th of 2006. Kidney and liver failure came on quick but couldn't put a dent in his ability to be affectionate. A true friend to the very end. May Wakan Tanka re-unite him with Angus and they can once again romp and explore as they had done so often in their youth. You will be missed my little brother. I carry you in my heart forever.

She is probably one of the most gentle dogs I have ever known. As long as she is getting attention she's happy, and if any of the other dogs are getting attention she has to get in on the action. She showed up in our yard one day, and after a month of putting up posters and checking the shelters to see if someone was looking for her she joined the clan. She had "control" problems at first due to crystals (small stones in the urinary tract) which is why we think she was ditched.

Lady crossed the Rianbow Bridge December 12th of 2006. Several years ago she was diagnosed with the early stages of kindey failure. With good diet and regular visits to the vet she staved off the inevitable. We suspect she was also heartbroken after losing her lifelong buds and brothers Beaver and Angus. She is now with them and once again getting into trouble with them just as they used to in their youth on camping trips. We will miss you little sister, until our times come to walk the path.