Casa Orizzonti

Located in the town of Prosito in Southern Switzerland, Casa Orizzonti is an animal sanctuary that provides a permanent home for many rescue animals. Casa Orizzonti has been around for a long time, but we only discovered it online the morning after Tootsie's passing. We took it as a sign from Tootsie, and we decided to become members right away.

Last Saturday, we were lucky enough to visit them. While practicing social distancing with the humans, we got to meet the many resident creatures: pigs (Hi, Sonny!), goats (Hi, Piper!), birds, rodents, cats, and, of course, doggies!

This is Frank, who joined Casa Orizzonti in April shortly before Tootsie's passing. Frank is fifteen years old, about the same age as Tootsie.

Frank with the gift we brought him on behalf of our girl.

Frank is super-happy at his new home and has become very good friends with the other resident doggies: Joy, Rugiada, Toby, Keanu, Cindy, and Zeus. Frank loves cuddles and belly rubs. He's a free-spirited dog with an amazing amount of energy! His pug friend Joy, nicknamed Jo-Joy, keeps an eye out for him and is a calming influence in his life.

Joy and Frank

We look forward to our next visit to Casa Orizzonti so we can join Frank and his friends on their morning walk. It's going to be super special.

Always with us

Dearest Tootsie,

Thank you for being our everything. You will always be with us.

You've changed my life in ways words can't describe. Nothing will ever be the same again without you.

Tootsie checks her pee-mail in Pura, Switzerland in 2020

Back when you climbed mountains, I promised you that I would carry you as much as needed in your senior years. I kept my promise, but I had not anticipated how much you would enjoy sniffing the fresh spring air up in the forest from the comfort of my arms. You loved every minute of it, and so did I, because I got to hold you close to my heart.

Mom carrying Tootsie

Wag on, and send another shooting star across the sky to remind us you're watching over us, like you did last night.

Forever yours,
Your Dachshund Daddy