In Memory Of....

A Big Thank You
A letter written by the executrix of the Estate of Rheuama Freeman... "Recently you received a check from the Estate of Rheuama K. Freeman.  I am enclosing a picture of my dear friend and would like to take a moment of your time to tell you about her.  Rheuama was a generous woman that loved dogs.  She provided a loving home for countless stray dogs that were abandoned at her farm.  Her beloved dogs were her family members that she loved and fussed over.  It is my hope that her contribution will enable you to provide care for many animals.  Many blessings to you and those you serve". The picture is of Rheauma "Ramy" Freeman with Jason
Donations have been made to the Montgomery County SPCA in memory of:

Jane Ahrens                                                        
Irma Armstrong
Alexandrea Arnold 
Ernst Cairo
Theresa Cetnar
Thomas Chritensen
Della Mae Cooper
James Dallesandro
Lional Dufresne
Hugh Frasier
Janice Girmindl-Fabozzi
Frederick “Fred” Harrison Jr.
Sandra Heck
John Hewitt
Gerald Houlihan
Jerome Kilinski
Barbara Flanagan Krajewski
Norberta Krupczak
Kevin Luft
Geoffrey Major
Ruth Martuscello
Anthony Murdico
Louis Metz
Francis Nassel
Vincent Patrick
Frank Persico
Alec G. Petrillo
Helen Popielarz 
Roberts Reschke
Phillip Ring
John Rogers 
Eleanor Sarnowski
Elizabeth Duemler Shea
Roberta Sheckton
Roberta Sinicropi 
Harold Thompson
Eileen Van De Walker
Victor Frost Van Wagenen, DVM
Joan E. Walters
Theresa Walton
Jessie Whittey
Jean Wroblewski

“Dickens”   The Cat
“Max Rajter” 

Sue DiManno
Donald Fraumeni
Vincent Danyla
Courtney Montgomery
Joan Dalesandro
Dolores Lasky
Dorothy Agnes McCallum
Stanley Gorzycki
Don Crandall
Harry B. Cohn
Jessie Jurusik
Peg Babrow
Richard Brower
Olga Kozlowski
Nancy Trejderowski
Robert Phelps
James Bottisti
Geraldine "Mammy" Johnson
Morris Hare
George Sorella
Joseph Inglese
Yolanda Crady
Jennie Cwiakala
Patricia Voight
Norberta Krupcza
Richard Harrington
John Wojcicki
Helen Horney
Jack Krohn
Doris Sage
Colleen Gavin
Mac Kuczek
Michael Vaiuso
Chelsea Lott
Edna Luzinas
Alexander Przybylo
Laura Rogoski
Barbara Rust

Mandy  Beloved Pet of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ouellette
Dewars Beloved Pet of  Marjorie Merchant
Callie    Beloved Pet of Dr. & Mrs. Michael Sheridan and Family
Tiara     Beloved Pet of Audrey & Rick Guthrie
Beauty   Beloved Pet of Pamela Sperbeck

Mary Terleckey
Arthur Kaszubski
Duke - Beloved Pet of George & Ellen Manor
Edward Krutz
Michael G. Pacino
Florence Bell
"Beauty" - pet
"Savita" Seigal - beloved guide dog of Lois Seigal
"Smokey" Scaringe

Tom Palmer
Ann Saj
Nellie Kruger
Louise Sandy
Sophie Johnson
Kelly Pagles
Evelyn Brown
Ronald Zack
Fred Nason
Janice Sequeglia
Peggy DiCaprio
Charles Dugan
Vincent Didziulis
Jimmy AmbrosinoKatie (Holly) Rollins
Sue & Chuck White
Nadine Bloom
"Baby" DiSalvi, beloved Dog of Mike DiSalvi
Margurite Caldwell
Nicholas Flynn
Mary Jane Thompson
Winifred Richardson
Mary Klementowski
Jessie Anderson
Joseph Bracchi
Merle Melita
Jay Dufel


On Friday, July 17, 2009, the Montgomery County SPCA sadly bid farewell to its long-time and much-loved resident mascot Dutchess, who had been in failing health for about a year.

Dutchess, a beautiful Husky-mix, was about 9-months-old back in September 1998 when she was found lying along Route 5 near Fort Johnson by Montgomery County Sheriff deputies and brought to the Montgomery County SPCA.  An initial veterinary exam showed that she had been hit by a car and among her injuries was a broken left leg – it also determined that the abandoned pup would be euthanized.   A second veterinary opinion was more hopeful, and Dutchess’ leg and life were saved by the generosity and compassion of three county deputies and an investigator who offered to pay for her surgery.  As her story was told in local papers, no one ever claimed her, but donations came into the MCSPCA Animal Shelter to help fund her follow-up medical costs. The MCSPCA established the “Dutchess Fund” with the donations, which remained active to assist with on-going medical costs throughout her life. 

Dutchess ended up calling the Animal Shelter home, with her own place of honor in the office.  Our many visitors over the past 11 years will remember being welcomed to the Shelter by Dutchess with a bark and a smile.  We thank all of you for returning her greeting with a kind “What a beautiful dog” or simply “What a good girl”.  We believe she understood you and that your words meant the world to her.  Or perhaps you witnessed her late on a winter’s day, taking her afternoon walk and, true to her Husky side, thoroughly enjoying a cold dip in the snow.  These were the simple things of Dutchess’ life at the Animal Shelter, things that we now take comfort in believing gave her a happy life.  

Our Dutchess will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of the many staff members, volunteers and board members who were fortunate enough to spend time with her during her days at the Animal Shelter, and who could proudly say “that’s our mascot”.

The MCSPCA wishes to thank all those people who showed such kindness to and love for Dutchess throughout her life, particularly her “Guardian Angels” from the Montgomery County Sheriff Department, and those who welcomed her into their homes and families during her many medical recuperations, as well as Dr. Bart Forlano of Glenville Veterinary Hospital and the staff of Heart of the Catskills Animal Shelter in Delhi, who compassionately helped Dutchess reach the Rainbow Bridge.

It is the MCSPCA’s plan to bring Dutchess’ ashes to the new Animal Shelter facility, which is currently in the planning and design phase, so that she will forever be part of the Montgomery County SPCA family.   

Good-bye for now, dear friend…….thank you for touching our lives ………


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…………In memory of their loving friend and mascot, the Board of Directors has decided to accept donations to maintain the  “Dutchess Fund” for other shelter animals needing emergency medical treatment…

In Memory of Dutchess