Melanie's Legacy Foundation
Melanie's Legacy Foundation was established in May of 2008 to save the lives of homeless dogs and cats in Indiana for whom all resources have been exhausted. The Foundation was established in honor of Melanie Rose Van Ostrand, the beloved dog of Indiana-PAW's Founder & Executive Director, Amy Van Ostrand, and Indiana-PAW's Information Technology Director, Derek Fakehany. When Amy met Melanie in the Spring of 2003, Melanie was moments away from being euthanized, as all shelter resources for her had been exhausted, and Melanie had extreme behavioral challenges. Amy and Derek adopted Melanie, and she repaid them by giving them 5 years of joy and love. After she died unexpectedly in May of 2008, a special collaborative relationship was formed by Indiana-PAW, the Humane Society of Indianapolis ("HSI"), and Indianapolis Animal Care & Control ("IACC") to honor her. Through this collaboration, each year on April 1st (the day Amy adopted Melanie), Indiana-PAW will use funding from Melanie's Legacy Foundation to receive a special dog and cat from HSI and from IACC for whom all resources have been exhausted. Those animals will receive spay/neuter surgery, full vetting, microchips, collars, a professional training course, a loving foster home, and screening for a forever family. This is Melanie's legacy - to help dogs and cats like her. Read on to learn about Melanie's inspirational life, which culminated in 75 people coming to honor her at a memorial service that one attendee said was "the most dignified and loving tribute I've ever seen."
Melanie's Story
Special Video Tribute To MelanieClick below to watch a 9 minute video tribute that Melanie's Mom & Dad lovingly created about Melanie's inspirational life, and the hope it offers other shelter animals. TURN your volume up!
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The day her mom, Amy, met her, Melanie was sitting in the euthanasia room of an Indianapolis shelter, waiting to be put to sleep. The family that dumped Melanie at the shelter had adopted her as a puppy, but after keeping her a year, realized they didn't have time to socialize her, and now she was "too big and too much of a handful" for them. She was scared, and after she tried to bite a shelter employee, was sent to be put to sleep. But Amy was at the shelter that day, and the euthanasia technician took her to meet Melanie. The rest is history. Melanie walked out of the shelter that Spring 2003 day, and into Amy and Derek's lives, and gave them joy and love for the next 5 years, 6 weeks, 5 days, and 12 hours.
Melanie used her chance well, and was well loved. Her parents, Amy and Derek, loved and adored her. Her canine and feline "siblings" often seemed overwhelmed by her energy, but loved her and were glad to have her as part of their "pack." She was both the brains and the brawn of that outfit. Melanie was also loved by the veterinarians and staff at Companion Animal Medical Center in Carmel. And Melanie loved them. She particularly loved Dr. Tony Buzzetti, probably because he kept her so healthy all her life, and also because he always called her "sweetie pie," which seemed to delight her.
Melanie was the most vibrant member of the family, and had a reputation for being a dog with a high-spirited personality, and a penchant for creating havoc everywhere she went. Before Amy adopted her, Melanie famously chased one shelter worker up a chain link fence in an apparent effort to "play" with her, or maul her - it was never clear. (We prefer to believe that Melanie wasn't aggressive - she was just high spirited and passionate!) Amy's Indiana-PAW friends often teasingly said that if Amy ever brought Melanie to an Indiana-PAW event, it would likely end in an apocalyptic scene with the Indiana-PAW booth upside down and on fire. Amy always responded that Melanie was just "enthusiastic."
Melanie was probably a Hound-Pit Bull-Shepherd mix, but Amy and Derek never knew, and never cared. She was just beautiful to them. Melanie had a million dollar smile, beautiful dimples, and her entire body would quiver with excitement when she was excited or happy. Amusingly, although Melanie was a big dog, her paperwork from the shelter listed her as a Beagle-mix, prompting a family friend to comment, "The only way Melanie has Beagle in her is if she ATE a beagle!" To be fair, there's no credible evidence that Melanie ever ate a Beagle, and, in fact, she adored Wyatt, her elderly Beagle "sibling."
Melanie loved everything. But her favorite things were road trips with her mom, playing ball in the back yard with her dad, "mom-and-me-cheeseburger-night" with Amy at the McDonalds drive-through, striking fear into the hearts of her canine and feline "siblings," and visiting her friends at Companion Animal Medical Center. Her very favorite thing always seemed to be bedtime, when she was with her whole family, snuggled up all together.
Melanie died unexpectedly on May 16, 2008 while she was home recovering from a surgical procedure to collect biopsies to determine why she was having gastrointestinal issues. Her veterinarian - Dr. Tony Buzzetti - rushed to her home to try to valiantly save her life, but she died within minutes of suffering a post-surgical blood clot. He was devastated, having seen this just 1 other time in his 22 year career. Her family was devastated. But now everyone who loved Melanie has come together to start Melanie's Legacy Foundation, so that Melanie's wonderful spirit can help other forgotten animals. Godspeed Melanie.
Melanie's Memorial Service
On May 24, 2008, 75 people came together for a beautiful, moving memorial service for Melanie. Melanie was honored with a memorial service led by clergywoman Barbi Boone, and arranged by A Pet Remembered. Melanie was eulogized by her mom, two of her mom's friends, and Warren Patitz, the wonderful dog trainer who helped her become a wonderful dog. She had a beautiful 9 minute video tribute celebrating her zany, memorable life. A processional of more than 35 cars followed Melanie as she was driven in a beautiful silver hearse, escorted by police, to Leonard Park on the Indy's west side, where butterflies were released into the sky to celebrate her and other shelter animals. Then, Melanie's well wishers drove to Indy's oldest drive-in restaurant, Mug 'N Bun, to eat cheeseburgers and malts - Melanie's favorites with her mom. You can watch the service, butterfly release, processional and luncheon on video below. Scroll down farther on the page for a hilarious tribute to Melanie from Brad Phifer, another dog trainer who helped make Melanie's life possible.
Video Of Melanie's Memorial ServiceClick on the titles below to play the videos. TURN your volume up! |
Photos of Melanie's Memorial ServiceClick on the thumbnails below to see larger versions of the pictures. |
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Additional Memorials For MelanieThe following are several memorials about Melanie from friends who couldn't attend her memorial service.
Support Melanie's Legacy FoundationYour donation to Melanie's Legacy Foundation will allow Indiana-PAW to receive an extra special dog and an extra special cat from HSI and from IACC for whom all resources have been exhausted every April 1st (Melanie's adoption day). Your funding will allow us to give those special animals who would not otherwise have a chance with spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchips, collars, preventative care (e.g., heartworm and flea prevention), a complimentary training course with a professional, a loving foster home, and screening for an EXCEPTIONAL forever family. If you'd like to assist us in honoring Melanie's memory, please click below to donate to Melanie's Legacy Foundation. ALL DONATIONS WELCOME!
A Special Thank You
Special thanks to A Pet Remembered for creating a beautiful, memorable memorial for Melanie. |
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