The Sally Balkema Memorial Fund



 A Tribute to Sally Balkema

"There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge.... and which are turned away..." 
-- Unknown

 It is with great sadness that we say good bye to our dear friend, Sally Balkema.  There is no doubt that Sally was greeted by dozens and dozens of wagging tails and eagerly led across the Bridge by those whose lives she saved…a beautiful sight!

 Sally was a friend, a board member, and a devoted volunteer who taught many of us what rescue is all about.  It’s about the dogs.  She was a fearless defender of mill rescues and those who couldn’t speak for themselves.  One board member remembers attending an auction with Sally.  A cranky miller stood up and shouted, “Who would want that dog?  It’s old and worn out!”  Without hesitation, Sally stood up and shouted back, “I’ll bet your wife says the same thing about you, every day!”  

She was fun. She was funny and she was fearless.  She drove her RV thousands of miles in the name of rescue.  Whenever asked to help, she would say, “where do you need me to be and when?” and she would get in her RV, drive to an auction, a mill, or transport a carload of rescues.  No distance was too far. 

 She was a familiar face at the Lucky Star table, attending shows and helping whenever needed.  Even in her advancing years and failing health, Sally was still fostering, going to shows and taking dogs in the name of Lucky Star.  She had a heart as big as Texas and she was generous beyond words and we are so grateful to have known her.  When they made Sally, they broke the mold. She was truly one of a kind. 

 It is in her honor and her memory that we have established the Sally Balkema Memorial Fund.  Donations collected in her memory will be devoted to our special needs, permanent fosters and senior dogs, those dogs that held a special place in Sally’s heart.  We will always remember her and continue to help those that she so dearly loved.

 Good bye, dear friend. God bless you, Sally.

If you would like to contribute to this fund in Sally's memory, please note in the instructions section that your donation is for the Sally Fund. 

If you prefer, you may mail a check to us at:

Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue

P.O. Box 7054

Carmel, CA 93921