Submitted by Elizabeth Davis
AGNES WINIFRED DAVIS
Agnes Winifred Davis (aka Aggie, aka Aggie-Baggie, aka Eggs, aka Eggs and Bacon, aka Eggs and Bacon and Toast) crossed over the rainbow bridge on the very blustery and slightly snowy morning of December 6, 2021. She was about 11 years old. Aggie is survived by her human mom, dad, brother, and sister. She is survived by her canine sisters and brother and her feline sister and brothers.
Aggie was a very, very good girl, the goodest of girls. Please allow me to share her story with you.
Aggie was adopted from the Sheboygan County Humane Society in February of 2019. Our family was looking for a companion for our young lab. We were looking for a younger, large dog. We went to the Humane Society a couple of times a week (every week) for a few months before we found our perfect dog. She was an older mini poodle mix, basically the exact opposite of what we were looking for. Agnes was old, frail, and she looked very ill (it didn’t help that she was wearing a cone of shame when we first met her). She was incredibly thin and had no hair on her snout or ears. She cowered in the corner of her kennel and did not want to interact with people. We coaxed her to us and pet her and fell instantly in love. We soon found out that Aggie had lived an incredibly difficult life prior to being in the Humane Society. Agnes came from a dog meat farm in South Korea. For eight and a half long years Aggie lived in a tiny cage, outside in the elements, with very little human contact and no human love or affection; she was bred as much as possible and her puppies were sold for human consumption. She was stiff and walked funny because her legs had been broken and healed poorly. But, after 8 and a half long years of suffering, Agnes traveled around the world to find her family.
When Agnes came home with us she had literally no clue how to be a dog. I will never forget our first night with her. I put her in bed with us. She sat straight up and did not move (literally, she NEVER moved) for the entire night. She was food aggressive and would hide and hoard her food. She didn’t play. Never. She carried her toys around like they were puppies and would get angry with any person or animal who tried to take them. She was scared and didn’t trust people. Over many months Aggie began to dog. She began to be able to sleep laying down. She became less aggressive over her food and toys. And one day, one special day she learned how to play. She got the zoomies and chased her tail. She began to play with toys and not hoard them or treat them like puppies. She began to seek human attention and affection. Her unique personality and her beautiful soul began to shine through.
When we had Agnes for about 2-3 weeks we received a call from the Sheboygan Humane Society letting us know that she may have a disease and that we would have to bring her in to be tested. Agnes tested positive for canine brucellosis. We were given a choice. Euthanize Aggie immediately or quarantine her to our property for the remainder of her life. It was never a choice for me, Agnes would live and she would be confined to our property. Many people encouraged euthanasia for Aggie at that point. We were told how inconvenient it would be to keep a dog that could never leave our house. Almost no one wanted us to keep her. It didn’t seem fair to her, she was literally just beginning to dog at that point. Little glimpses of her amazing personality had already begun to show through and the hair on her snout and ears was slowly beginning to come in, which signaled to me that she was starting to feel secure. The state was given the official notice that Aggie would live and be confined to our house for the remainder of her life.
Agne’s beauty, spirit, perseverance, and spunky personality began to shine. Our Aggie-Baggie was smart. Man oh man was she a smart girl. I always joke that she learned to speak English faster than anyone I know. She learned her name and basic commands with almost no training. For having lived in deplorable conditions with little human contact for so long she was remarkable. And even though she had been treated like dirt from humans for her entire life she came to love us sooooo much. It was like she felt the need to make up for all of the time lost that she didn’t get snuggles, scritches, or lap naps. She warmed up to our other pets, but she developed a bond with us that I have never had with any other animal. She showed so much joy and happiness being with her people. As cliche as it is, words truly cannot describe how special Agnes was.
We are so, so grateful for our time with Agnes. I am so happy that the end of her life was full of love, trust, play, and fun. We feel so blessed and lucky to have had the chance to show Aggie how good humans can be, but we feel even more blessed to have learned lessons in trust, joy, forgiveness, perseverance, and most importantly complete unwavering unconditional love. Aggie had become my shadow and when she would look deep into my eyes (with her one good eye, lol) it felt like I was looking at everything good, sweet, innocent, and joyous in the world. Her happiness and spirit are an inspiration. We will forever be grateful for our time with our sweet Agnes.
Every single minute of my life I miss my Aggie-baggie with all of my being. I always swore I would never get a small dog, because who wants an ankle biter? But Agnes changed that for me. She proved to me that sometimes the smallest dogs have the biggest spirit and most heart. She changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. She loved life and her family more than words can describe. When I wake up and don’t get my morning cuddles I am acutely reminded of my loss. Aggie was my shadow, always with me and I feel her loss like the loss of a limb, like my heart has left my body. Parting is the sweetest sorrow, but I would do it all over if I could. Even though our time together was short it was filled with so much love, enough love to last a lifetime. Thank you, Agnes. Thank you so much for everything you gave me and everything you taught me; I am a better human because of you and our family is better because you were in it.
I have written this because everyone in the whole wide world should know how magnificent, fabulous, wonderful, great, beautiful, marvelous, sensitive, happy, amazing, and special Agnes Winifred Davis was, but also to encourage people to take a chance. Take a chance on adopting a pet that is old, sick, “ugly”, different, has special needs, is in a bonded pair, or any other reason that a pet might be considered unadoptable. Unadoptable pets often make the most loving and loyal pets that anyone can imagine. I would also like to strongly encourage people to adopt, don’t shop. There are animals of every size, shape, breed, etc. available for adoption from your local Humane Society or rescue.
Please give your furry or feathered friend a good pat, scritch, belly rub, and/or lap nap today and remember how short their lives can be.
We would like to give a special thank you to Brook-Falls Veterinary Hospital & Exotic Care Inc. in Menomonee Falls for their kind and wonderful care of all of our fur and feather babies.
In lieu of balls or bones please consider a donation to Humane Society International or the Humane Society of Sheboygan County.
Categories: Obituaries
Just got the link to this from my sister, who lives in Sheboygan. What a wonderful love story. As tears filled our eyes, reading this tribute (as well as all of the comments), it brought back memories of our many fur babies who are no longer with us. It always amazes us how these beautiful little souls can forgive the human cruelty from their past, and become loving family members. We currently have 3 rescued senior dogs, and many of our dearly departed dogs were rescues as well.
Thank you for sharing your story of love, healing and forgiveness. Rest in peace Agnes, you were truly a blessing to your family, and an inspiration to the rest of us.
Loved your obituary and the important message. I forwarded it to the Humane Society of the US for their magazine.
Thank you for sharing your eulogy for Agnes. She was a beautiful dog indeed and bless you for including her into your family and giving her a life!
I am reading this, alone, on a break at work. Tears are literally rolling down my cheeks.
You not only have an eloquent way of writing, but your heart is absolutely beautiful.
Agnes is so fortunate to have experienced the unconditional love you provided; God bless you!
There is no doubt in my mind that you will see Agnes again! Hallelujah!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your selfless act of kindness to this loyal, beautiful and pure soul.
The world may have gotten a bit less special due to Agnes’ loss but Heaven gained a princess.
Godspeed Agnes ❤
What a beautiful love story, thank you for sharing it. Thank you for being her family, she may have waited for 8 1/2 years for a family of her very own but no doubt in her mind you were worth the wait. Rescue dogs are always the most grateful.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul.
Thank you for adopting Agnes! Choosing & caring for the less desirable proves how much you gained from her. What a beautiful love story. What a lovely tribute. My condolences for losing your sole mate. RIP dear girl.
Sometimes there are no words. . .
So very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your dear Agnes. Our four-legged family members truly can teach us how wonderful the world would be if we all showed unconditional love. Sending Agnes’ family prayers for healing.
I’m sorry. I can’t even think of anything even half way fitting to say Hugs and love
THANK YOU! Aggie was meant to be with you, and you showed her the love she and all dogs deserve. I take in unwanted pets, mainly cats, but always one or two dogs. Their transformations are amazing, sometimes miraculous, as in Aggie’s case. So glad you shared this wonderful story.
Thank You for your wonderful loving caring hearts. AGGIE AND YOU….made a difference. What more can ANYONE ASK FOR ? I thank you. Blessings of GOD’S HEALING LOVE GRACE AND PEACE. AMEN 🙏🏽. ❤️
Almost all of our 17 dogs have been rescued, many came with a few of the problems Beautiful Aggie had, all healed to some extent or another in the time they spent with us. Your obituary reminded me of all those wonderful loving dogs. RIP Aggie, I’m sure you are in doggie heaven now, waiting for your Mom.
God Bless you! Rest In Peace beautiful girl. 💜
Thank you for saving her and loving her like she deserved her whole life. You are truly a special person, the world needs more people like you.
Adopt, don’t shop. My adoptee before my current one was in her 4th foster home when I found her. She was a puppymil breeder dog. The 1st year was Rough. But she learned to be a real dog. And became my constant companion and beloved by all who met her. Until her bad heart finally gave out.
ThNk you so very much for honoring the power of love to attract and transform all beings! You and she were transformed by Love. May it happen to us all! Thank you so very much for sharing all the details of this love story!
Thank you so much for this amazing story! You lost Agnes but she was able to give you so much in such a short time. What a great rescue story, thank you again for adopting and loving a shelter dog❤️
Thank you for saving, loving and honoring her. Your story with her is educating and informing the public. Thank you also for supporting the Humane Society. This should be an article in the local media. So sad for your loss. Amazing story.
Orders are pretty darned special aren’t they? I have adopted 4 older rescues and while our time has been short, the lessons on both sides…immeasurable ❤️❤️❤️
For over 22 years I hVe adopted seniors disabled biters small seniors as my medical problems only allowed me small I have run out of my inheritance and can foster but in. Emergency will adopt what a wonderful tribute to your Agnes she has flown into Gods arms abd He has welcomed her and will protect her as the others she is along with all all to be reunited again.
I am shedding a tear for your wonderful girl now. I have my beloved rescue next to me. I agree…rescue a dog. Mine was a 12 year old senior. They need homes and live. Don’t shop. God bless you. How lucky for your Aggie to have found you.❤️
A beautiful girl: from me and my deceased dog Honey.
I stumbled upon this link on Reddit! I’m so sorry for your loss! I really enjoyed her story and it sounds like she was the best pup!
You and your family were blessed to have been owned by Aggie. I feel like I know her from reading your beautiful tribute.
Love and blessings!
Marianne Jackson
Thank you for taking care of her… I know it in my heart that she felt the love from you and your family and someday you will meet her again.
What a wonderful heartbreaking story you lovingly shared about Agnes. My tears were falling as I read it. She was an amazing angel who waited for you knowing you would find her. Bless you ❤️🌈
I am so very sorry for your loss ur loss. I am so glad you gave her the life she deserved.
What a wonderful story of love and connection. Thank you for taking a chance on her and for loving her when others wanted to let her go. You are truly a gift – Bless you all.
I’ve been rescuing/ saving dogs since I was a little kid ! I’m 76 now. Before I married my hubby, Carl, the first question I asked him was, ” do you like dogs “/ He said yes ! Now that I’m old, all I’ll adopt is older dogs ! It works for all of us !
I have just read your tribute. What a moving story. I’m so glad your little dog knew kindness and love for her remaining years. You are certainly a special person to have been wise enough to take a chance on her. Thank you for giving her so much love and companionship.
How beautiful that you and Aggie found each other. Your time together was much too short but so very special. Thank you for giving this precious baby the best time of her life. My heart goes out you. ❤️🤗
I have four recue dogs and work in a Vet Clinic as a Kennel Tech. It is indeed often hard to adopt out rescue pets. They are assuredly the most amazing and loving beings I have ever met. I so enjoyed your life story on Aggie, what an amazing lady to have come through such a harsh and dreadful start. Thank you for sharing her life with you and may this touch the hearts of others as it has mine. May only the best come your way, run free Aggie!
Bless your hearts and bless Agnes. I helped settle her in to the shelter when she arrived from her journey to America. She was so matted you could not even tell she was a dog. Boy she sure struck gold with her family. Thank you thank you thank you.
Such a beautiful eulogy. Thank you for sharing the story of Aggie.
Thank you very much and goodbye Agnes
What a beautiful poignant story of love. How wonderful when Aggie left she took your love with her and she knew she was loved. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
She would want you to rescue another doggie . I’m sure of that. Sorry your time with her was not as long as you liked. There is another dog out there that needs you
I hope she will when she’s ready, but we do need time to mourn our loss. Losing a dog is not the same as losing a child, I suppose, but it’s a major, major loss. People need time to process. This person clearly loves dogs, so I do believe she will get another when she knows the time is right.
So sorry for your loss Liz. Please hug the kids for me and yourself. Sounds like Aggie was a lucky girl in the end . Love you all Aunt Debbie
That was a beautiful tribute. Very lovely. Bless you for taking a chance in that frail girl. ❤❤❤
Hugs
Teresa Stetson