Contribute to Dolly's Legacy Animal Rescue in memory of "Bill" William

In memory of

"Bill" William J Hickman

Crete, NE

November 25, 1944 - November 22, 2021

Nov 25, 1944 - Nov 22, 2021

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Please consider a contribution to Dolly's Legacy Animal Rescue, Capitol Humane Society or Heartland Cancer Foundation.

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Support Capitol Humane Society

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Support Heartland Cancer Foundation

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Note: Any memorial gifts can be made directly with Charities listed and do not need to go through this links on this site.

Our dad hand a kinship with animals as far back as remembered, especially dogs. From his childhood dog to a Newfoundland, two Labs, Bassets (three at once!), two Bouviers, and his beloved Ernie a literal road-side rescue of giant proportions and his best bud. He loved and spoiled them with treats and in return provided him with love, laughter, joy and smelly snuggles; sometimes Eau du Wet Dog, Dirty Dog, Gassy Dog. His retired life literally existed to serve the family dogs and Grand-dogs (Isabelle and Ralph). He loved visits from Izzy and Ralphie whether it be for the weekend or just the afternoon. He was “tickled” when he got to meet the new kid, Ronnie. “What a goof, I can hear him saying”. Doodles got to spend quality retired time with him as well. The red-head of the Grand-dogs brought him a great deal of entertainment when she visited and would gracefully spit out any treats that did not agree with her sophisticated palette. He loved getting the Doodle videos when she wasn’t visiting and looked forward to her return.
Whether it was feeding time, constant water fill ups, water mop ups, playing the in and out game they loved (treats always came with the in part, don’t you know!!!), napping, relaxing, eating and all the "exhaust" he has collected over the years, he loved being their Papa. Occasionally, a dried-up partial slice of cheese could be found in the fridge in the mornings. This was an indication that the game continued into the night and the cheese remnants know as, "Midnight Cheese", were the key to getting back to bed as quickly as possible. It was evident that the dogs' comfort was a higher priority than his.
As our dad was beginning to recover from his first Cancer Treatment, Ernie's health declined and sadly, passed in 2018. The loss of every single “of the kids" devastated him. He searched the rescue sites looking for another Ernie, but instead found the kindest most beautiful soul from Memphis via Dolly's Legacy Animal Rescue in Lincoln; a Senior Redbone Coon Hound named Sherwood. Sherwood barely dodged euthanasia in Memphis, then took an airplane ride to Lincoln to find our dad. He came to our dad severely underweight, ragged and without a light in his eye. Our dad found his strength to start living after his Cancer diagnosis and treatments that had taken his. He and Sherwood joined the land of the living together with southern style...daily walks and lots of fried chicken. Sherwood, the true gentleman he was gave our dad far more than he received and he received a lot. Shershie made his exit from this world at a time our dad was establishing himself back in his. Sherwood's loss coincided with our dad coming to terms with loosing his voice to the return of a tumor. He needed the medicine only a dog could bring, despite what he knew lay ahead. Dollys to the literal rescue again. He found Stella who has brought so much energy and joy of life back into his world. Who couldn't help but be engaged by her discovering love and trust with zest and eagerness? Stella was so dedicated to our dad that towards the end she was his emergency alert when he needed help day or night, she was his reason for getting up and having a mission! Stella misses her "Papa" and takes his slippers for regular walks to the back yard in pure Ernie fashion. She goes looking for her Papa often and knows his smell when his closet is opened. If it wasn't for Dollys Legacy and the incredible work they do, our dad likely would not have survived the past few years.

The Capital Humane Society in Lincoln is equally amazing and why they have been added as an option.

Lastly, Heartland Cancer Foundation had provided support at a time when our dad's diagnosis, treatment, bombardment of information and trying to figure out too much in a short period occurred. This organization is a beacon to the community, Cancer patients and their families!

https://dollyslegacyanimalrescue.org/donate/
https://www.heartlandcancerfoundation.org/donate.html
https://www.capitalhumanesociety.org/ways-to-give/fundraising.html Contribute to Dolly's Legacy Animal Rescue