I heard the radio show one evening on WLS in Chicago, and I began to cry. I put my two dogs to sleep within less than one year. My Rudy, a yellow lab, was about to celebrate his 13th birthday when I had to put him to sleep on September 11th 2006. Riley, my yellow lab mix, was only two years younger. She did not do very well after Rudy died. She had spent her entire life with him. I just put her to sleep on August 24th 2007. I had them both privately cremated. They sit together next to each other on my dresser. Rudy is in a white canister with black and gray dog paws and Riley is in one with beautiful flowers. I lost twenty pounds beginning when Rudy was sick. I would stay up with him at night. I would carry him when he needed it and feed him the best that I could. We would celebrate our birthdays by going through the drive thru at McDonalds and get hamburgers.

I would put a candle in one and I would sing “Happy Birthday”. When Riley was diagnosed with kidney failure in June she only lasted 3 months. I would take her for a ride every night and listed to Sean Hannity on the radio. Somehow it would always put her to sleep. I still cry. I had my dogs before I got married and had children. I want to get another dog soon. I am having such a hard time with this because I lost two of my best friends so quickly. Talk about being depressed. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to be alone. I loved Rudy and Riley with all my heart. I know my husband was jealous, but I couldn’t help it. They were my babies. It had been the three of us for so long. I have some of Rudy’s puppy teeth which I would find around the house. Sometimes I call for Riley but I know she is not here. The one thing that gets me through this is knowing that one day I will see them again in Heaven. I have multiple photo albums and pictures around the house of Rudy and Riley. I miss them everyday.

Mary from IL