Today we lost Sprangler, our loving and faithful companion of 12 years.  She was our precious little puppy who hopped over her litter siblings to pick us instead of the other way around.  The large heart-shaped spot on her coat was just the first indication we had that she would give us much more love than we could ever give her.

Her last two months were filled with many struggles and pain, but she never stopped trying to please her mommy and daddy until she finally succumbed to a seizure.  A piece of us has been taken away and can never be replaced, but we’ll forever cherish our times together.

We love you, “Boo.”  You were the greatest gift God ever gave us.

— Steven from Tamarac, FL

Late yesterday afternoon I made that dreaded last trip to the vet.  Our 14 year old red Irish setter Cinnamon was giving up.  Energetic, fun, and in trouble most of her life she had dropped from 52 to under 40 pounds in the last year and her hips were giving out.  She kept going and walking with us until the last few weeks; 3 days ago, she started refusing all food and I knew it was the end,  I carried her into the vets office and he gently explained the procedure.  I held her beautiful face in my hands while my friend Dr. Elroy gently put the fluid in a vein in her arm.  She did not struggle or whimper, her breathing slowed then stopped.  I wrapped her in her blanket an Elroy helped me out to the car.  I know we did the right thing, she would have suffered more and died within the next day if we hadn’t, but my heart is very broken.  I miss her fighting me when I tried to give her a bath, I miss her waking me up with a paw slap because it was thundering and she was scared and needed our attention.  Last night I met my oldest son, who had helped raise and train Cinnamon and spent days camping, fishing and hunting with her, at his rural property.  We dug a hole under an oak tree and laid our beautiful redhead to rest.  We miss you, Cinnamon.

— Bob from Loyal, WI

Ten years ago my husband called and said he was bringing home another women and she was younger than me.  When he walked in he had this precious little pug with him.  He handed her to me and she stopped shaking.  The name she had was pretty stupid so we started going through  names and when I said Maxie her head popped up and her tail started wagging.  So Maxie had a new home and for 10 years she had given up more love that one could ever hope for.  She saved her brother, Murphy twice.  And when he went blind she protected him with all she had.  I will miss her so much.  She is Murphy now and we have a new baby Nacho.  God bless our pets.

— Judi from San Dimas, CA

In May of 2000 I found Gus.  He came crawling out of a ditch just as I passed by on my way home from a horse show.  I thought I had rolled a baby raccoon.  I stopped and here was this puppy looking at me saying, “Gee lady what’s that for?”  I scooped him up and away we went.  Down the road a few minutes I looked in the backseat and he is FOAMING at the mouth…….carsick!   Oh well, trucks clean up pretty well.  Gus and my one year old border collie/sheltie mix Vinnie were the odd couple.  Vinnie was always neat, clean, and aloof.  Vinnie considered me as his job.  Gus always played in the mud/snow, not so neat and friended everyone, a social butterfly!  And that’s the way it was until 1/24/2013.  Little Gussy had been battling heart disease for four years.   I remember the night I had a conversation with him about my wish for him to pass at home so I could be with him.  I told him it was okay to let go.  He gave me that understanding look.   He hung on for a few more months.  Home from work on the 24th and I saw the look in his eye.  The light was gone.  That night he gave me my wish, he passed in my arms.

So now he’s racing around friending everyone in puppy heaven, playing in the mud/snow and still not neat.  Gus, I hope you have forgotten about all the really bad haircuts I gave you in the summers.  I’m now practicing on Vinnie.  LOL.   Luv you Gussy!

— Carol from Tulsa, OK

I just lost my best friend of 12 years a couple of hours ago. She was one of the most compassionate and caring creatures I have ever known. I have no words to express what I am feeling now, but it is comforting to come here and read stories of others to know that I am not alone. This dog was so loving I don’t think should would have hurt a fly. Funny story, I was so set on naming my dog max as a kid, I stuck with it even after I found out she was a female. It was funny listening to my parents explain that to company. She was there with me as I grew into an adult and it wont be the same now that she is gone. I loved her with all my heart, in a way that I imagine its hard to understand if you’re not a dog person.. I hope that this hole I’m feeling doesn’t feel so big in the coming days, they say time heals these wounds. Rest in peace Little Girl I will never forget you.

— Jeff from Terra Haute, IN

I woke up in the morning, and after Barbara kissed me Good Morning and wished me Happy Birthday, I went out to start feeding the horses and the ponies.  I first checked on our beautiful little Shetland, Goshen, because he had just returned from the veterinary hospital and I wanted to see if he was okay.  He was down but as soon as I opened the gate to his stall he struggled to his feet and I led him out into the pasture.  I rushed inside to get Barbara and Bridget, and when we went over to see Goshen we realized that he was fading fast and that this was to be his last day with us.  We spent the whole day with him because when he did pass on, we didn’t want him to be alone.  He went down twice during the day, but each time, after a great struggle, he managed to stand again.  When he went down for the third time, we didn’t believe he would be able to rise again, for he was moaning in pain.  But he was a proud and noble pony, strong and willful, and determined and brave.  And he didn’t want to die on his belly, but on his feet.  So he mustered all his strength and somehow rose to his feet again and stayed up for the rest of the day.  He walked with us, one last time, around the field and meadow in which he lived his whole life, and stopped in his favorite place under a spreading shade tree.  And there he stood and nuzzled us with his soft face, while we caressed him and hugged him and kissed him and brushed him and told him how much we loved him and cherished him and how his presence with us enriched our lives.

And it was here, later in the day, that the vet put him to sleep, ending his pain and his suffering, and the beautiful sixteen-year life he shared with us.

And it was in this spot, under a bright full moon, that he was laid to rest.

— Jed from May’s Landing, NJ