My Dog was a black Poodle. His name was Louie. Louie was my very special friend. He was also rescued from the Humane Society, in Colorado Springs, where I live.

Louie live a happy and healthy life. He favorite thing was a ride in the car, he just loved it as he did going for a walk.

His last year was 2008. He had gone blind, to what degree, I don’t know, it didn’t seem to bother him. He couldn’t hear well either. Still he was comfortable and always gave me his special smile. Louie developed diabetes, I took him to the Veterinarian, and I was given a script for insulin and syringes. I also had to feed him a special diet, not unlike us humans.

I was diligent in giving Louie his insulin and he seemed rather normal for his old age. Until one day I realized that he was sleeping a lot and would not drink any water. All he wanted to do was sleep. I panicked, I really did, scooped him up bed and all and drove to the Veterinarians office.

When I saw the doctor she told me that he was suffering from the effects of his diabetes and that his Pancreas and kidneys  were most likely were shutting down. She advised that we put him to sleep. Mark, my head felt like it was floating around the room. She couldn’t mean it.

We discussed it and I was convinced that Louie was going to pass away. I was so sad. You know how I felt. I lived alone and he was my friend and he loved me as much as I loved him.

I was beside myself for weeks. My apartment was empty and cold without Louie. It took me a year to grieve and four more years before I considered adopting a dog.

— Wayne from Colorado Springs, CO