Dixie Mae Barnas
Dixie Mae Barnas, aka Big Momma, crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully in her home surrounded by her humans and sister dog on January 2, 2024. Her age was guesstimated to be around 11 years old. She was a Bluetick Coonhound.
Dixie was adopted November 23, 2014 from HoundSong Rescue into the Barnas family. She had been rescued by HoundSong from deplorable conditions in South Virginia, pregnant and severely malnourished. While in transit to her foster family in the Midwest she delivered her babies at a hotel. Robin Williams had recently died so her temporary name was Wendy and her pups had names from the movie Hook.
Once adopted, Dixie immediately bonded to her sister Beagle, Mabel. They have been the best of friends through the years with a bond so special it was obvious to anyone who saw them together. They tried to go on an adventure or 2 over the years by escaping the underground fence together. The two of them were always snuggled close at night, often looking more like a pretzel of limbs than 2 dogs.
In true hound fashion Dixie was a Houdini dog. She escaped every kennel/crate there ever was and then proceeded to bust Mabel out of a separate kennel as well. This led to her dad building them a “safe room” with tiled floors and walls as well a steel exterior door to keep them contained while we were away from home. The room has a window and is equipped with an Alexa for background music.
Dixie loved the outdoors and basking in the sunshine. She was the best camping companion and went on all the hikes. Thunderstorms and fireworks were her enemy which meant she would look for small spaces in closets or hampers to hide. She was an amazing garage dog while dad tinkered outdoors, napping in the driveway or on her garage bed. She would bay loudly at any and all neighbors walking by, delivery trucks, the garbage man, etc in case we weren’t aware there was possible imminent danger so close. If said danger approached the house she thought she had made a new best friend because she loved all people, and the Coonhound in her meant she would put her front paws up on everyone in greeting for a hug but looking like she was treeing a raccoon. She had the best soft, long hound ears that touched the water when she drank, and she had one single black mark on her left side in the shape of a heart.
Dixie is survived by her dad Eddie, mom Sabrina, sister Madie, brother Arlo, and sister dog Mabel.
She will be forever missed and we will carry her in our hearts always. We ask that you give your pets extra treats and love in memory of her - she was truly a lover of food and all the snuggles.
Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services.
Bongo, age 4 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 22nd, 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. Bongo and his brother Rambo were on knee boards at the Lake like they were surfing. He always looked like he was smiling and he was very social. He will be truly missed. Until we meet again at The Rainbow Bridge.
JB, age 10 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 5th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. A favorite moment would be watching JB try to eat everyone else's food. He sure loved to eat!
Shadow, age 14 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 19th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. Every day when I would come home, Shadow would meet me at the door. When I lived in Chicago and he was a kitten we would be up playing until 2/3 am. He was literally my shadow, he would wait for me outside the shower, sleep in bed with me every night, and I would lay there petting him until we fell asleep. Shadow was a one-person cat, very attached and protective of his mama. He had his eyes on her at all times and followed her room to room. Shadow was very proud and very gentleman-like. He constantly wanted to play even in his old age, until he got sick. His favorite treat was canned tuna and chicken.
Cooper, also known as Coopie, age 5.5 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 15th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. Cooper was an incredibly loving dog, he had a way of expressing love, in a way, no words could truly comprehend. Through thick and thin, he had a way of seeing the best in everyone around him, and returning it twice over. He had one floppy ear that would never quite sit right, he would always sleep in bed as if he were a little person. I will never know the kindness in a dog again like the kindness Cooper held for all the ones he loved. I will forever miss him, until we meet again at The Rainbow Bridge.
Lola Mae, age 10 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 24th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. Lola's favorite activity was to play with her stuffed monkeys. We used to joke that Lola was our daughter's "nanny" because she would sleep next to her and come get us every time she woke up. Lola would give the best hugs. She would wrap her paws around you and put her head on your shoulder. She also loved kittens and would light up whenever she heard or seen one. She was loved tremendously and she loved us fiercely.
Belle, age 10 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 15th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. Thinking back to little memories of Belle one of her most favorite things to do was ride on the golf cart, especially with Pops. Belle was a mom- she had a litter of puppies in 2019. She loved to be outside and to go for car rides. Belle had the sweetest personality and was also a very laid-back dog. She always knew when someone needed to be loved! Belle will be missed by her mom, dad, her brother Winston, and her sisters Bailey and Willow.
Anna, age 13 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on April 6th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services.
Matty, age 15.5 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 27th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services.
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Brewski, age 13 years old, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 8th 2026. Cremation services accorded. Arrangements entrusted to Whispering Willow Pet Funeral & Cremation Services. One of our favorite activities with Brew was riding in the pontoon together. He was a very calm, dostile dog who loved children.
