On September 28, 2013, we lost one of our dedicated fans: Jan Collins. Several of the ladies in our rescue helped bring Jan & her best friend, Thunder together. Thunder, now in the care of Jan's immediate family, misses her greatly even waiting near the door for her return. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donating to Vancouver Island Dogs Rescue Society who continues to help create the same joy for others that Thunder brought to Jan.

This is what her family has to say:

"Janine passed away suddenly on September 28, 2013 in her family home. She was a gentle, kind soul who will be dearly missed. Jan absolutely LOVED animals, owning many over the course of her life. Animals have always brought Jan the most happiness in her life. Her first best friend was Tessie, a gorgeous dog that her Father bought for her at the age of 12. They were inseparable; years later even walking two marathons (Miles for Millions) together. All of the family photos from then on, wherever you see Jan, Tessie was right beside her. Jan owned many cats and a couple dogs over the following years. More recently though, she and her son owned a cute guinea pig named “Benny”, a gerbil named “Vinny”, and three cockatiels “Moses, Noah, and Silk”. She even bred babies from her birds and hand fed them. She adored all creatures.  

Over the past 10 years, Jan owned her little “angels” as she called them – 2 beautiful cats named “Smokey” and “Bandit”. Three years ago, Jan bought a beautiful mobile home on the ocean in Sooke, BC. Her first thought was that she could finally own another big beautiful dog like Tessie again! She moved in, got set up and immediately called Island Dogs Rescue – always believing in rescuing animals from shelters etc…rather than getting an animal out of the paper or in a pet store. She looked at a few different dogs, struggling to make up her mind as she just wanted to take them all home! However, as soon as she saw a picture of Thunder, she said to her daughter “He’s the one, I know it.” She immediately fell in love with Thunder, an 8 year old Rottweiler/Chow cross. He was gentle, and slow moving – “just my type of dog” she said. Thunder got along with both of her cats, not even really bothering with them-which she was happy about!

About 6 months after she got Thunder, both cats passed away. Jan was devastated – not knowing why they had passed. She was so happy she had Thunder – saying “he is a God send”. He helped her grieve and gave her the love she needed during that difficult time. Jan left behind journals/diaries – and wrote in them every day about Thunder and the walks they would go on, the beautiful places they saw together, the new bed, treats, toys, and blankets she would buy him and the great friendship they were making. She didn’t know when Thunders exact birthday was so in August of this year, she decided that they would share a birthday, taking him to Pet-a-Palooza to buy him a birthday gift :) She finally had a beautiful dog like Tessie, so many years before, and she made the most of every day with him.

Jan struggled with many health concerns the last few years of her life, but her family rests in the thought of knowing Thunder brought her solace, joy, and unwavering friendship.

In her honour, her family would like to set up a memorial fund to raise some much needed money for the Island Dogs Rescue. Jan would have wanted this."

* Our rescue family sends their deepest sympathies to the Collins family, including Jan's cherished dog, Thunder. Thank you for donating in Jan's name. *