Over the years GDRNT has been blessed with some amazing rescuers who have put blood, sweat, tears, time and love into our mission. We are a small but mighty group and the hard part of rescue has forged some great friendships.

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I must share the passing of our sweet friend Doris Huneycutt.

Doris fiercely loved her beautiful family, but GDRNT was always in her heart. For many years Doris has been a GDRNT Rock Star. A dedicated volunteer, foster, adopter, supporter and friend, her passing has left a hole in our hearts.

As a volunteer there are few jobs Doris did not do. She handled the most difficult email or voicemail with polite wisdom and dispensed her grandmotherly advise with grace. Even when someone didn’t deserve it and should have received a thump on the head.

Doris never met a stranger. A fixture at Meet n Greets with Nigel, Gigi or Brother by her side, they represented GDRNT for years, educating people not only about GDRNT but about responsible pet ownership. Many of the miles on her car were from doing numerous home visits and transports. Doris was known for her very complete home visits, that frequently turned into friendships and dinner dates. Her petite frame did not stop her from transporting and turning the biggest, frightened dane into a love muffin.

I tried to count how many fosters stayed with Doris over the years but there are too many. Doris willingly and lovingly took special needs fosters and was one of the few I entrusted with my blind/deaf foster babies. She never turned a fuzzy muzzle away and they always loved her back. Her gentle spirit always new how to take a frightened, broken spirit and make it shine.

Many of you have heard the story of the Rainbow Bridge. How when an animal crosses their health is restored, and they spend their days joyous while waiting for their human to take them to heaven.

Doris Huneycutt will have a special greeting at the Rainbow Bridge, Doris was a rescuer.. so with her beloved pets of the past.. Doris will be greeted by The Rescuers Final Reward.

One of the newer dogs at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there
longer to explain what was happening. The cat replied, “Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth. They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them. Because they had no people to love them, they have nobody to escort them across the Rainbow Bridge.”

The dog asked the cat, “So what will happen to those animals?” Before
the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to
bright sunshine. The cat replied, “Watch, and you will see.”

In the distance was a single person, and as he approached the Bridge the
old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light.
They were at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate
would be. The animals who had previously gathered at the pathway bowed
their heads as the person approached. At each bowed head, the person
offered a scratch or hug. One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals
from the field fell into line behind the person. Together, they walked
across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love.

The dog asked the cat, “What just happened?”

The cat responded, “That was a rescuer.