Animal
Shelter
In Memorium
This page was created to honor shelter alumni who have passed away. We enjoyed having these pets with us at the shelter for a time, and delighted to hear of their lives as cherished members of their adoptive families. Each of these pets is gone but never forgotten.
Click on each pet's photo to learn more about their special stories.
Harry was found by a hiker in the Blue Hills. He allowed a kind and patient person to share his home and wrote of his many adventures for his fans on his Facebook page. Harry's loves included car rides, trips to the Cape, his bear and his girl. A true character, deeply loved.
Elwood was a senior beagle who caught the eye of a hound loving lady. She gave him a wonderful home for the rest of his days, then adopted Priscilla, another senior hound, after he passed away. This kind lady restores our faith in our fellow humans.
Betsy came to the shelter as a stray. After discovering that she had health problems, we decided to keep her at the shelter and make her our office manager. Betsy served this role with style for many years. She didn't have a typical family, but she had the biggest family of all - the volunteers and staff of the Milton Animal Shelter. Another permanent resident now occupies the desk, but Betsy can never be replaced.
Ferdinand was abandoned in the field at the shelter one night. We named him for the storybook bull who preferred sniffing flowers over fighting. We discovered that Ferdinand had a degenerative spinal condition. Despite the best vet care and all of our devotion, his pain became overwhelming, we had to let him go.
Buddy was a orange male domestic longhair. We have a soft spot for orange male tabbies - maybe it's it a coincidence, but they seem to be extra-friendly and people oriented. Buddy fit that profile perfectly, and made friends with everyone he met.
Papa was a tiny ancient poodle found by the side of the road. He was so matted that the vet could hardly tell his head from his tail. She wasn't sure he'd survive the night, but he was a little fighter. He came through the crisis and quickly became a staff favorite. We were amazed and delighted when a wonderful couple opened their hearts and homes to him. He lived with them for only a short time before he passed away, but he knew the comfort and love of a cherished pet.
Lia the beagle came to the shelter at age 1-1/2, and was a member of her family for 15 years. She was a typical beagle - prone to howling, wandering off, and hopping up on the table to help herself to a snack. She was one of a kind, and her family couldn't have loved her more.
Cleo was a six-year-old flea infested stray found near Milton Town Hall. She was starving and in need of serious dental work. She was missing hair on her face and behind from the fleas and the shelter named her 'Princess' because only a princess could get away with looking this way and still garner love. She spent the last 10+ years of her life with a loving family and furry siblings Otto Rocket and Nikki the cat. She loved life, eating and belly rubs. She will be missed dearly.
Tonka was found as a pup with hip dysplasia. We created the Tonka Fund, which still runs today, to help him. There was no mistaking his beautiful smile. He loved getting his picture taken. When he was happy everyone (family, friends, and strangers) knew it. When he turned on the charm while doing his show pony walk/prance, there was no mistaking his star quality. We loved him very much and miss him every day. He was loved not only by his immediate family but his extended family and friends.