My hero, mentor and friendIt has been really hard to put into words how much Dave meant to me. Dave’s heart and soul was Brittany rescue but he enjoyed all the friends he met along the way. For all his public post on-line, he probably spent more time private messaging or emailing his ideas, thoughts, support and encouragement. Sometimes he’d throw in a joke to just make you laugh.
As most know, when I needed help with Leo, one of my more difficult fosters, Dave simply said, “send him to me!” As a 60 lb, unruly teenage Britt, “Dave’s Boot Camp” saved his life and Leo actually turned out to be a good dog. I always joked with him that I “owed him a foster”
For several years, Dave and I shared a love of drag racing and he kept saying how much he wanted to come to Denver for Mile High Nationals. Early this spring he let me know he was going to bring Diane and come for vacation. Kat and I decided we needed a little “Dave’s Coming to Denver” party and pretty soon it turned out to be a huge rescue event and picnic. We also had the wonderful pleasure to expand the visit and enjoy some sightseeing and BBQ's with Dave, Diane, Lisa, Barb, Nancy and Harlan.
Dave and Diane stayed at my house and for me; the best part was that my family finally had the opportunity to really understand what the people at ABR meant to me. My husband's and Dave’s conversation would bounce back from rescue, dogs, to cars and drag racing. Diane and my daughter had the best time playing tennis on the Wii, it was so funny! Levi and Molly were simply perfect!
I had the chance at some private conversations with Dave that I will always remember and treasure. The last two weeks I've had so many times to think, "gee, I need to tell that to Dave". Somehow, I know that he is still listening . . . Shelli
Dave and a Bugatti
Dave Goofing off at Mile High Nationals