Rainbow Bridge Memorial

Dearly missed by Moira and Mike Corrigan

Our precious Vanilla (or Nilla Bean as I called her) was just the sweetest baby doll, and what a personality. None of the other dogs in our home messed with Vanilla. An independent soul, she always did things her way. Nilla was always just content to hang out. She did not want to go on walks because of her health issues and her favorite place in the house was our family room – on the couch, in the crate or on a dog bed in her favorite corner.

Vanilla was returned to GPI in June 2012. When she arrived back at GPI she was not a well girl and was sadly heading towards kidney failure. Working with our wonderful vet, we were able to find a combination of meds, supplements and food that stabilized her system and gave her a decent quality of life.

She learned to use our dog door and that opened up a whole new world to her. It also meant that “moma” didn’t have to get up several times during the night to let her outside. Nilla could often be found wandering around the yard or lying in the sun (on those few rare sunny days). She would travel with us in the car on our adventures and although we couldn’t lift her into the car because of some internal pain issues, she quickly figured out the ramp that allowed her to join us.

Nilla Bean had the softest, thickest coat. She was always there to greet us when we came home, tail wagging. A lot of petting and affection were not her thing because of her health issues (we think it hurt her), but she would sneak in periodically for some loving and always loved to be the recipient of a quick neck scratch or head rub as we walked by.

In her racing days Nilla made the circuit and raced everywhere from West Virginia, to Texas, to Arizona. She came to GPI in April 2006. She lived in two homes before arriving in our home in June 2012. While technically a foster, Vanilla was very much a part of our family and our hearts.

On December 1, we were awakened at 4:45 a.m. to the sound of Nilla’s yelps. We went running to her, but by the time we got to her in the Family Room at the other end of the house, she was already gone.

Run free and without pain my precious Nilla Bean. We love you and miss you. Say hello to all our other pups at the Rainbow Bridge.

Moira and Mike Corrigan
Rango, Addie, Tango, Tony and Randi
Attila, Mac, Niko, Freeway, Brett, Jasper, Kipper, Suzzy, Chief, Hoss (at the bridge)
Pufne, Papa, & Beau Beau (Forever Fosters at the bridge)