BrightStar founder Ruth Urban dies

tutzauer · 06-28-2011, 12:45 PM

Announcement: www.BrightStarGSD.org

With great sadness, BrightStar announces the passing of its founder, Ruth Urban. Ruth passed away yesterday (6/26/2011) in her home following a year-long battle with cancer.

Ruth’s vision to save German Shepherd Dogs will continue, as BrightStar survives her. Thank you, Ruth, for starting such a wonderful organization.

We will miss you and your wise counsel. May you be reunited with so many you tried - but were unable - to save.

In memory,

Your friends and colleagues, who will continue the great work you started

LaRen616 · 06-28-2011, 12:52 PM

RIP Ruth.

Thank you for everything you have done and thank you for saving the breed that I cherish and love. The world could use more people like you.

GSDBESTK9 · 06-28-2011, 01:02 PM

RIP Ruth

Mary Jane · 06-28-2011, 01:04 PM

When our application to adopt was being reviewed by BrightStar, Ruth wrote to say that we would find the perfect dog for us, I imagine that was standard policy to calm the nerves of anxious adopters. Of course, she was prophetic in our case.

BrightStar, and particularly Wolf's foster, immeasurably changed our lives for the better. For the gift of Wolf, I will be forever grateful that Ruth founded BrightStar.

Rest in peace, kind lady.

Mary Jane

DnP · 06-28-2011, 01:27 PM

I write this with such a heavy heart. I had been getting updates from Ruth during her battle with cancer. She fought for her life like she fought for all the dogs that came to Brightstar. And she did it with her usual tough sense of humor.

I had the pleasure of meeting her for the first time when I adopted Phoenix in 2007. She and Shelia, Phoenix's foster mom, met me at an exit along the NYS Thruway outside of Syracuse on August 10, 2007. We talked for quite a while so that Shelia could say her good-byes to Phoenix. I found the history of how she started in rescue to be interesting and could see that it was her passion. I always looked forward to the Brightstar annual picnic, not just to see all of the other rescues, but to also have a chat or two with Ruth. To me, she was quite a character.

While she hit a rough patch with the rescue in 2008, I hope that her legacy of all the good things she did for and with Brightstar isn't overshadowed by it.

I know that when she passed, she was greeted at the bridge by many that passed before her. And I'm sure she'll be there to greet all of those that pass after her.

RIP Ruth

GSDElsa · 06-28-2011, 02:08 PM

Thank you for posting this! I was hoping someone would do this...I didn't know if it was out of place to do so.

BrightStar has touched so many lives of GSD lovers all over the US, we will forever be grateful for Ruth founding the rescue.

shilohsmom · 06-28-2011, 02:38 PM

RIP Ruth. Thank you for starting a vision that will live on well beyond our years.

matocikala · 06-28-2011, 04:27 PM

From North Star GSD Rescue to Ruth~

News of your passing brings shock and floods of memories. Remember the beginning?

We were both new to rescue. It was such a pleasure having a sister rescue in the northeast. Ruth, you had vision! The world is a better place due to your compassion. You lived a good one!

We'll see you on the other side...later!

lisgje · 06-28-2011, 05:56 PM

I am so sorry to hear this. Met her once during a meet and greet back in 2006 and I donated for one of the dogs that year. Again, so sorry.

Remo · 06-29-2011, 07:00 AM

Just imagine the long line of dogs that were waiting to greet Ruth as she arrived at the Bridge.

My sincere condolences to the loss of someone who dedicated her life to rescue.

06-28-2011, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
tutzauer New Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2	BrightStar founder Ruth Urban dies Announcement: www.BrightStarGSD.org With great sadness, BrightStar announces the passing of its founder, Ruth Urban. Ruth passed away yesterday (6/26/2011) in her home following a year-long battle with cancer. Ruth’s vision to save German Shepherd Dogs will continue, as BrightStar survives her. Thank you, Ruth, for starting such a wonderful organization. We will miss you and your wise counsel. May you be reunited with so many you tried - but were unable - to save. In memory, Your friends and colleagues, who will continue the great work you started __________________ Carol Tutzauer President, Buffalo Humane Board, BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue Behavioral Scientist, University at Buffalo

06-28-2011, 12:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	RIP Ruth. Thank you for everything you have done and thank you for saving the breed that I cherish and love. The world could use more people like you. __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked

06-28-2011, 01:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSDBESTK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28,438	RIP Ruth __________________ Carolina Johnson http://www.johnsonhaus.com http://www.carolinak9photography.com

06-28-2011, 01:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
DnP Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,248	I write this with such a heavy heart. I had been getting updates from Ruth during her battle with cancer. She fought for her life like she fought for all the dogs that came to Brightstar. And she did it with her usual tough sense of humor. I had the pleasure of meeting her for the first time when I adopted Phoenix in 2007. She and Shelia, Phoenix's foster mom, met me at an exit along the NYS Thruway outside of Syracuse on August 10, 2007. We talked for quite a while so that Shelia could say her good-byes to Phoenix. I found the history of how she started in rescue to be interesting and could see that it was her passion. I always looked forward to the Brightstar annual picnic, not just to see all of the other rescues, but to also have a chat or two with Ruth. To me, she was quite a character. While she hit a rough patch with the rescue in 2008, I hope that her legacy of all the good things she did for and with Brightstar isn't overshadowed by it. I know that when she passed, she was greeted at the bridge by many that passed before her. And I'm sure she'll be there to greet all of those that pass after her. RIP Ruth __________________ Diana Mom of Brightstar's Phoenix In loving memory of Dakota 1/93 - 10/2006 He seemed neither old nor young. His strength lay in his eyes. They look as old as the hills, and as young and as wild. I've never tired of looking into them.-John Muir

06-28-2011, 02:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	Thank you for posting this! I was hoping someone would do this...I didn't know if it was out of place to do so. BrightStar has touched so many lives of GSD lovers all over the US, we will forever be grateful for Ruth founding the rescue. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

06-28-2011, 01:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mary Jane Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,402	When our application to adopt was being reviewed by BrightStar, Ruth wrote to say that we would find the perfect dog for us, I imagine that was standard policy to calm the nerves of anxious adopters. Of course, she was prophetic in our case. BrightStar, and particularly Wolf's foster, immeasurably changed our lives for the better. For the gift of Wolf, I will be forever grateful that Ruth founded BrightStar. Rest in peace, kind lady. Mary Jane

06-28-2011, 02:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
shilohsmom Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 6,653	RIP Ruth. Thank you for starting a vision that will live on well beyond our years. __________________ Rosa Mom to; Shiloh, 8.5 year old LCGSD Shoshona, 7.5 year old LCGSD Eli, 5 year old LCGSD Every dog deserves to have a human that thinks they are the greatest dog that ever lived!

06-28-2011, 04:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
matocikala Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New England Posts: 1,737	From North Star GSD Rescue to Ruth~ News of your passing brings shock and floods of memories. Remember the beginning? We were both new to rescue. It was such a pleasure having a sister rescue in the northeast. Ruth, you had vision! The world is a better place due to your compassion. You lived a good one! We'll see you on the other side...later! __________________ Roxanne North Star GSD Rescue,Inc. www.northstargsdr.org northstargsdr@earthlink.net

06-28-2011, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
lisgje Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 750	I am so sorry to hear this. Met her once during a meet and greet back in 2006 and I donated for one of the dogs that year. Again, so sorry.

06-29-2011, 07:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
Remo Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,396	Just imagine the long line of dogs that were waiting to greet Ruth as she arrived at the Bridge. My sincere condolences to the loss of someone who dedicated her life to rescue. __________________ Yours in GSDs and rescue, Lea Good Dogs for Good Homes Virginia German Shepherd Rescue www.shepherdrescue.org

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