While waiting to board a plane last week at the Oakland, CA airport, I wandered over to a bookstall and picked up your book. I flipped through the pages, reading a bit here and there. When my tears started falling on the pages, I put the book back on the shelf. I told my son what I’d just read, and we reminisced about the dogs that had been part of our family. In a few minutes, he got up and bought your book for me. We have had 5 dogs, all living to old age. The first two were mostly for the kids. Then when they started growing up and going off to college, the next dogs were for me. A mother always wants a little creature around to love and care for. The dogs filled that need.

My two ‘little angels’ were smooth fox terriers, Jack and Pete. Jack was a rescue dog and as you know, we don’t always know their exact age. He was with us for 11 years and then developed cardiomyopathy. Over the next two months, I spent over ,000 from my retirement funds, attempting to heal him. On the day he died I was gardening and he managed to walk over and lie down beside where I was digging. He always had to be right beside me. Pete died two years later of kidney failure. He was almost 16 yrs old. It was excruciating to see their health deteriorate. There is no easy way to go through this and no one right way to do it. Poor little Jack suffered while we tried to keep him going. We made the decision to have Pete euthanized. Both times I agonized over the decision and wondered if I had done the right thing.

Their deaths were so devastating I vowed I would never have another dog. About 3 months after Pete died, my son asked if I’d like to go to the dog show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Well, I went. We walked around, admired the dogs, and met the breeders. One woman had a 3-mo-old puppy that was ready to go to a good home. I eventually gave her a call and drove down to see her dogs. This darling, little Parson Russell Terrier just leaped into my arms and licked my face. We have had Billy for 3 years. I am so grateful that God has placed these wonderful animals on the earth. I am sure He is pleased with our loving actions toward them. They bring so much joy into our lives. It’s just my personal belief that we will be with our departed dogs again.

Thanks for writing your book. It’s good for us dog lovers to share our stories.

Carol from CA

p.s. Sprite is a beauty. Take good care of your health. We want yhou around! Read Dean Ornish “Reversing Heart Disease.” Also, “Dog Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant – very touching.