On 3/11/07 I had to say goodbye to my best buddy, Bambi. She was a 7 yr old Papillon. I got her a few years after a painful divorce because I was lonesome, ornery, and mean. I figured getting a dog would be a good way to mellow me out again. I had a very hard time adjusting to a new “person” in my life and at times it wasn’t easy. Bambi sometimes got some harsh treatment from me, which she didn’t deserve, the first few months I had her.

I am ashamed to admit that one day I almost beat her to death becuase I was so angry. Angry at her, myself, the world. After I realized what I had almost done, I was so ashamed I wanted to die. However, that event was a major turning point in my life when I realized how bitter I had become. She recovered in a matter of moments, and i cried for I don’t know how long. I never beat her again after that, and we became fast friends. She got cancer in november of 2006 and I spent hundreds of dollars trying to make her well. I finally had to put her down, and believe me, I was a basket case for two weeks.

I had her cremated on her 8th birthday, 4/18/07. She was a God send. My family eventually could see the change she had made in my life. I am no longer the bitter, angry old man I once was and the credit goes to a little dog who changed my life. I have 2 chihuahuas and a pekinese/shi tzu mix who live with me now, but I think about “Bambino Tortellini ” everday and still have a crying jag once and awhile, like as I am typing this.

Thanx for the good work you do, Mark, and may God richly bless you and your family.

Warm regards,
Mark from SD