All of the staff at Winter Animal Hospital extend their deepest sympathy to the owners of pets that have recently passed away.  This page and the ones linked to it are our tribute to those wonderful creatures.

One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress.  Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: 'here lies one who loved us and whom we loved.'  No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

(Excerpt from Last Will and Testament by Eugene O'Neill)

In Memory of:

Cherub Bruce April 3, 2000 - November 8, 2009

Cherub Bruce, the beloved Golden Retriever of Carrie Bruce fought a long battle with cancer before passing away.  Words can not convey the impact that Cherub had on Carrie Bruce, his mama and caretaker and all the people that got to know him.  Read the wonderful eulogy and see the slide show of Cherub's put together by Carrie.

Thunder and Feather Winter

It is with great sadness that we must inform friends and clients of Winter Animal Hospital of the passing of Thunder, a 6 year old Doberman, and Feather, a 2yr old English Cocker Spaniel.  Both dogs were owned/cared for by Dr. Greg Winter. 

Thunder and Feather went missing this past Sunday, July 13th.  Despite everyone's efforts to find them,  Feather was found dead along Highway 27 on Sunday while Thunder was found in the same vicinity on Monday.

Thunder was a very sweet and friendly dog, and will be missed by Dr. Winter, Lightning (Thunder's running partner) and all the staff at Winter Animal Hospital.  He truly was a special creature and touched the lives of everyone he met.

Feather was loved and adored by Dr. Greg Winter and everyone at Winter Animal Hospital.

They both will be missed greatly.

Taylor Young (1/5/96 - 3/3/08)

Taylor, was a lovable cocker spaniel who fought a very hard battle against canine malignant melanoma.  Read the wonderful eulogy and see the slide show of Taylor's life by David Young, his Daddy and care taker.

Sebastian Benedix (7/4/95 - 8/10/06)

Sebastian was a puppy mill puppy (born on the 4th of July) that we adopted when he was already five years old.  While we have cared for a lot of animals over the years, there was never a more gentle or polite dog than Sebastian.  Despite his size, Sebastian was a real gentleman when it came to treating the other animals in the house with respect, waiting his turn to get a drink of water, not "strong-arming" the other animals for their food.  Sadly, Sebastian also suffered from hip dysplasia and seizures.  Dr. Greg Winter was absolutely wonderful in providing care to Sebastian, a testament to the fact that Sebastian led a fairly pain-free life until the seizures got to a point that they were more than he and his caregivers could handle.

Odysseus “Ody” Troy Blackman (7/2/92 – 7/20/05)

In the summer 1992 I found an ad in the paper “Beagle puppies for sale and decided to check it out. When I first saw Ody it was love at first sight. His mother, Belle, delivered the puppies while her “parents” were moving from Louisiana to Florida and it was pure luck that we found each other. 

Ody lived one of the most adventurous lives a hound dog could have. His instinct for running in the woods was relentless. If the gate was ever left open, he’d bolt. And over the years, he learned how to dig his way out. Countless times he would escape the confines of the yard but somehow always made it back home. Without a doubt, he met more people in Havana (and stayed at their house) than my husband and I. He absolutely drove me crazy.

Thanks to Dr. Winter and his wonderful staff, Ody was able to enjoy years of running after he blew his knee out in 1998 and dislocated his hip in 2004. Through both surgeries Ody proved to be an incredibly stoic dog: pain was never an issue. After surgery he always woke up, wagged his tail, and was able to put weight on his legs just a day or two after surgery. 

On July 20, 2005, Ody’s tired, worn out old body couldn’t take any more excitement and he succumbed to cancer. He was an incredibly special dog that we will always cherish and will never forget. 

Jill and Tracy Blackman

“Long May You Run”

Annie Biggs (1991-2005)

Annie Biggs came to us in a most unusual way.  Her parents, country dogs that lived down the road, pushed her through the fence one December morning in 1991 when she was but a puppy.  This came to be as my wife would feed the dogs (especially the female) when they came down the dirt road and would stop by the fence.  We still believe to this day that they were looking for a good home for their puppy and, based on my wife's kindness, selected us.  Annie lived with us for more than 13 years and knew the woods around the house like the back of her paw.  She was a faithful friend and companion over the years and is greatly missed.  She is buried in the yard near the spot where she came into our lives.  The marker on her grave is inscribed, "Run free old girl".   Beverly and Clyde Benedix

A special thanks to Dr. Winter and staff for the kindness they showed us, and more importantly, our beloved dog, Annie.  b/c

Torre

Want to see what Torre was looking at?

In submitting the pictures of Torre, her English Setter, Mary Portwine wrote:

One is prior to his going into a wheelchair due to hip dysplasia and arthritis. I honestly don't know what I would have done the last year of Torre's life without Dr. Winter. Whenever I've gone into a panic with any of my animals, Dr. Greg has an exceptional talent of calming me and explaining the situation. This compassionate nature demonstrates his care and commitment to his field.

Thanks!
Mary Portwine

Micki

Dr. Winter and Staff,

I would like to thank you and your staff for all of the assistance that you have given us.  Words cannot begin to express how we appreciate you and your staff.  We will always remember you when we think of Micki.

Micki died on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 10:00 AM at home.  She will be missed by her owners and everyone that knew her.

Thanks, thanks and thank you for everything that was done to help us.

"Micki", Roscoe and Fannie

Dr. Winter, if I am ever allowed another chance to own a dog, I will be to see you first.  Keep-up the good work.  Thank you, and may God keep you until we call you again.

Jipsee

December 7, 2004

Dear Winter Animal Staff

I wan to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding care and treatment you have provided Jipsee.  You have always provided outstanding veterinary care throughout her life.  In August of this year I brought her to you after she experienced a very serious illness to her spine.  From the moment we entered the Clinic you were positive and optimistic even when I wasn't.  You immediately diagnosed the problem and began treatment.  Ten days later I brought her home and the outstanding care you provided to her allowed us to enjoy four more months of quality life together.

We spent the entire day yesterday, she in the bed of the truck while I worked on the farm.  It was a very good day.  Unfortunately, she passed away last night peacefully in her sleep on the hay in her kennel.  She was a wonderful dog and she meant the world to me.  She will be sorely missed.

I will be forever grateful for the care and treatment that you have provided her.  You have always been professional, caring, honest and optimistic.  You do what it takes to get the job done and whenever I brought her to you I knew that she was going to get the best care possible and she always did.  You always provided outstanding treatment and kept her happy and healthy.  You are the best.  Jipsee and I thank you for all that you have done; the fifteen years she and I shared together were a true blessing.

God Bless You, 

Dave

Page updated: 11/20/2009