My husband and I have been married for 23 years with no kids; we have owned two toy poodles, one passed at the age of 9, in 1989 and the other just recently on March 15, 2013.  I am the youngest of 9 and the only one with no children.  My siblings have always teased me, in a good way, of how my dogs were my children, they just had no clue.  I want to speak of my last dog, Peitro Romanus Bangs, Jr, aka, PJ.  He was born on May 3, 1989. As you may know he was our baby and the best friend we could have had.

PJ passed on March 15, 2013 and it was one of the hardest times of my life.  I wrote his obituary for Trap and Field on day 2 to help me cope, and also entered him to the Rainbow Bridge.  Then something hit me on day 8 of his passing; I remembered the book my brother gave me, “Rescuing Sprite”.  I went right to it, like I knew where it was all the time.  It was a Sunday and I read the entire book in one day.  I cried a lot but enjoyed it tremendously. I am not sure if my brother read it or not, and I can only assume he heard about it from Rush Limbaugh and/or your talk shows.  I had not heard of the book nor did I really know about it; but had an idea of how it was going to end up.  I must say reading it now; I am so grateful that I did NOT read it a year and a half ago.  There are so many similarities with PJ, Pepsi and Sprite it’s almost crazy. Pepsi and PJ were born the same year.

Mark you sure are right when you say people who have never owned a Dog, they just don’t not understand.

You said people tell those who lost a family member of the fur kind, “that you gave him the best life” but in reality “they gave us the best life”, you are so right, we are the lucky ones.

I decided to cremate PJ as I did not want to take the chance of losing him again if we should ever move, much like one of your listeners idea.  Like you, I miss everything about PJ, the mornings, coming home from work and missing his greetings, bedtime, our walks, chasing squirrels etc. Our every move they are there, finding toys, his blankets, clothes all over the house and in the vehicle’s, is really hard.

I thank you for your story and sharing your most precious moments with us.  Here is to all the animal lovers and rescuers in the world.

I will end with your best quote: “goldfish, turtles and hamster are pets, Dogs are family.

— Bernice from Laurel, MD

I would like to tell you about Kayla, our wonderfully loving collie/whippet mix who we had for 3 years before we had to put her to sleep 2 days before Christmas due to severe anemia. Right from the time we adopted her from the animal shelter, she was a very loving companion who loved to go for rides in cars and go for walks. As a matter of fact, “Ride” and “walk” were her two favorite words and she would get so excited at their mention. She hardly ever barked and was a loving companion who always waited for me to come home from work or come back from a trip. She’s waiting for us “at the bridge” to take her across when we pass on.

— John from Rocky River, OH

It has now been one month since our pet Chipper passed away.   Words just can’t express how much a void we have in our lives since he left us.   Every time I walk through the door into the house I expect him to be there to greet me with a hug.   His presence is felt just as strongly as it was when I took this picture of him inspecting his stocking early on Christmas morning before everyone woke up.

He was very high maintenance to the point of stalking me all over the house and he would go crazy to be with me when I was outside.   I loved it!   Having someone who unconditionally loved me and wanted to be with me 24/7 was a joy and I miss it!

My kids grew up with Chipper and miss him so much.   My wife has mourned along with me as he meant so much to everyone.   Domesticating Pets has to be among the best inventions ever made by man.   What a blessing they are!   RIP my beloved Chipper.   We love you!

— Fred from Suwanee, GA

Our old “Mom” cat had finally died of old age.  When we and the kids had the funeral in the back yard, a stray female cat was waiting at the prepared gravesite.  After the service, she followed us to the house and demanded to be let in.  We named her “Toonces” after the “driving cat” from Saturday Night Live.  A couple of months later she had a 4-kitten litter.  We gave away 3 of them, but one had such amazing colors we kept her. She was named “Smudge” as she looked like she fell down a chimney.  This mother and daughter became our best and most loving friends.  Toonces died 2 years ago at the age of 21-1/2.  Smudge died a year ago at 19-1/2.  We could not stand to have a house with no animals.  We went to a Pet Adoption fair 3 months ago and found “Sophie”.  A 6-7 year old “Little Orphan Annie” type terrier.  The new love of our lives.  She even came pre-programmed with tricks. (Sit, shake, sit-up).  Pets are one of God’s most glorious gifts.

— Mike from Richmond, MI

Our beloved Golden retriever, Annie, died rather suddenly yesterday. She was only 2 years old, developed vomiting and even with support at a tertiary veterinary service she expired. Don’t have the answers yet bur our heart is broken. Had to share with dog lovers who understand the pain. Vets suggested poison but there really is no place where she would have ingested this. She was healthy and perfect in AM and dead in PM. Our house is eerily quiet and our world just seems a lot more empty. We have had losses before and they are never easy to say goodbye. In this case we were totally taken by surprise.Mark you touched me and my wife when you lost your dear friend and I know you can relate to where we are emotionally.

— Arthu from Foxboro, MA

My 13 year old cocker spaniel, Chewie, is the sweetest dog that I think that has ever walked on this Earth.  He is kind and patient.  He has been with us since our 2001.  But, Chewie is failing.  He is struggling to maintain his bladder and his bowels.  He is going blind.  I can see the cataracts in his eyes and one of them is becoming milky white.  He is littered with skin tumors and has just recently lost the use of his left hind leg.  I am finding it it difficult, financially, to make him comfortable and healthy.  But with all of his ailments, he still continues to think that he is a puppy.  He has a voracious appetite and constantly wants to play, even with only three legs.  He has his little brother, our collie/Shepard mix, 7 year old, Buddie, that keeps him company, and who watches over him.  But I’m fearful that Chewie’s time may be running out.  He loves to sleep with our 8 year old daughter and used to be able to jump on her bed, but, now he can’t, and she doesn’t understand why.  He tries so hard, he can’t make it.  So, she sleeps on the floor with him and says, “please lay with me, Chewie, I love you.”  I don’t know what to do.  I can’t say goodbye, but I can’t let him go.

— Ralph from Rio Rancho, NM