Our dearest friend Pauli the dog died on Nov. 30th of 2011. He was 17 years, 1 month and 22 days old.

He ate his Thanksgiving dinner, and then went for a walk even though he hadn’t been feeling well.  He seemed very happy.  He didn’t eat anymore food after that, and only drank a little water.   We had had Pauli since he was 6 weeks old.  He was like a second son to us.  Our son who now has been in the Army for 13 years used to run with Pauli as he trained. And my husband took our dog everywhere with him. Our dog loved everyone and he loved other dogs and cats as well.  After Paul died we were devistated.  My husband who has been a pastor for over 30 years was having a hard time without his friend.  Paul died on the first Sunday of Advent.  On the 12th day of Christmas on January 13th (Sat.) I went into the living room and heard the sound of our dog Pauli thumping his tail on the floor 7 times just like he always did in the place he always sat.  I heard it 3 times, I ran out to tell my husband.  He had been in the living room a few minutes earlier and had heard the same thing with our dog thumping his happy tail 7 times on the floor.  It brought total peace and comfort to us.  We knew that the Lord had allowed Pauli the time to come by and say goodbye to us.  He was happy, and we know we will see him again some day in heaven.  Since that time though we miss him a lot, we don’t feel the loss in the same way.  Also the vet that took care of him from the beginning had a heart attack and finally made it back the last year of Pauli’s life.  He said it was people and pets like Pauli that brought him back to health. Just wanted to share this.

— Margie from Portland, OR

Recently I had to put our dog,Wolf down…

It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do…

He was the sweetest boy,almost 14 years old. Wolf was suffering from tumors and arthritis. I tried to give him meds for the arthritis and pain but it was only a little effective. He would fall sometimes and he couldn’t go upstairs anymore.

For a long time we helped him upstairs but it got too hard for him and us, so he had to stay downstairs.

That was sad too as he always wanted to be where I was. Before we went to bed I would stay downstairs and help him  relax and fall asleep before I would leave him and go to bed.

He seemed to accept staying downstairs as if he knew he could no longer do what he used to do.

Wolf was deaf but could see pretty good and knew hand signals. He loved being outside and even on that last day he and I went on one of our walks. Lingering outside as long as I thought he could take it,we walked slowly and stopped many times as he had not only trouble walking but breathing too as he would pant so much.

We had to have the vet come to our house as he could no longer get in the car.

It seemed he didn’t want to leave as much as I wanted him to live because it took 3 injections of Valium to get him relaxed enough to have the final injection to send him to heaven.

It really gutted me as before I helped him lay down he got whoozy. He was sitting up close to me and he started to whine.

I  think he was confused and scared as he really didn’t know what was happening.It really gutted me… Before that he had been walking around the kitchen and living room responding to my hand signals and coming to me for the last time as I buried my face in his neck as I had done so many times over the years. He always knew when I was upset and Wolf would come to me and I would bury my face in his neck while hugging him,sometimes crying and sometimes just hugging him…

My Mom died 15 years ago come this August and my sister died 14 years ago come this June. After that happened my husband said “you need a dog”. Within a few months we found Wolf.

He was a Norwegian Elkhound and the first time I saw him he was 11 weeks old and he came running around the corner at the breeders house and he came right to me and  I know we bonded right then,he was “my baby”.

I have 2 grown daughters and 3 grandsons who I love with all my heart but “dog people” know what I mean when I say Wolf was “my baby”…

I named him Wolf because he looked just like a Wolf puppy. He came home with us that very day.

The house still seems empty without him even though we have another dog also very sweet. He’s been missing Wolf too…

Someday we may get another dog but I don’t have it in me and for now we have our Australian Shepard named Trot another sweet boy who is almost 8 years old and we’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old.

I wish Wolf passed away when he was sleeping… I didn’t want to do this but he was suffering and his bad days outnumbered his good days.

Thank-you for giving me a chance to tell about my sweet Wolfie Boy!

— Karen from Mechanicville, NY

Our beloved Buddy had to be put out of his misery this past Sunday April 29, 2012. A tragic accident on such a beautiful sunny day after  playtime at the park. My wife and I packed  our 3 dogs in my truck and off happily towards home when Buddy decided to leap out the passenger window. My frantic wife was too late to grab and I wasn’t driving very fast at all but I felt my rear tire crush his little body. It was a HORRIFIC experience. My poor baby screaming. He eventually calmed down and we rushed him to our vet and you know the rest. We are extremely safety conscience and always restrain our dogs and roll up windows but that day we both slipped up and are extremely heart broken and full of grief. We would appreciate your prayers to get us through our loss and guilt. The ironic thing is we rescued Buddy in October of 2011 after being run over 3 times. He was such a BLESSING to our lives. To see the transformation from fearful, unsociable dog to a caring and loving companion was something to see. I was looking forward to the future of many years with my Buddy. He truly loved us and appreciated the simple things like a warm bed, a hug, treats, or a stroke of his head when napping. The pain is unbearable but I hold on to God’s loving Word that He will make ALL THINGS new in heaven. Thank you Mark for giving your dog loving patriots an opportunity to grieve and express their thoughts and share to maybe help others. God Bless you always and all of you who have had a similar experience…

— Mario from Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Snapple, (We call her Bippy) was a wedding gift from my wife to me.  That was over 15 years ago.  Sadly, Bip is not doing so well in recent weeks.  Vet doesn’t think it’s going to be too long for her.  As long as she isn’t in any pain or discomfort, really that’s all that matters at this point. Bippy has been a wonderful dog; Smart, feisty, and yes bad at times.   She had pups several years back and we kept one, Rusty Spoon, he’s much bigger than Snap but has her colors.   We’re going to treat her like a queen as long as she can hold out.

— Bill from Wittmann, AZ

We brought Piper home from a rescue out by Virginia Tech.  The jury is still out on what all breeds made this girl, but our best guess is Irish Wolfhound, German Shepherd, Lab, and some sorta terrier.  We’ve taught her to be a Frisbee catching champ. Above all, she is a sweetheart, and our cat loves her.  The cat is named DK, short for Dumpster Kitty.  We lured her out of a dumpster in St. Simon’s Island, GA with a can of cat food.  These two are inseparable. Who says dogs and cats can’t get along?

— Rick from Williamsburg, VA

Just a little mutt in a duffle bag thrown away in a creek…who knew she would become the love of my life.  At 4 weeks old, this black and white 1 ½ lb pup was busy helping the volunteers at the animal shelter clean cages and caring for her roommates, when my daughters (5 & 8) and I walked in.  It was love at first sight.  Because she was so young, it was necessary to supplement her canned puppy food with infant Gerber rice cereal for proper nourishment.  With an abundance of love and care, Belle quickly became aware she had found her forever home.  As a military family, it was necessary to move frequently, but Belle never minded as long as we were with her.  With my husband (now retired First Sgt) frequently gone, this little 19 lb fuzz ball filled the emptiness and became my best friend.
In addition to holding the position of ‘Executive Director of the Welcoming Committee’, Belle had many duties in our home.  She assisted with the garden including but not limited to pruning, watering and planting, assisted the ‘grill sergeant’ and kept the bedding warm in preparation for ‘nite-nite’.  Perhaps her most important responsibility was ‘General of Goose Patrol’ by the pond.  Some of her favorite activities included walks, car rides and afternoons at the spa.  Belle and I were best buds.
I was raised in a family where love was earned as a result of work and grades.  Belle taught me unconditional love!!  I’d never experienced this before and it changed my life and my relationship with God, my girls and my husband.  I could tell her anything and she never judged me for who I am or the many mistakes I’ve made.  She always knew when I needed a little extra attention or a buddy on my lap.  Even at the age of 16, Belle never acted like she was in her geriatric years.
On October 12, 2009, Belle suffered a stroke.  I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be long before I would have to say ‘good-bye’ to my Baby-Belle.  I lay on the floor for 3 days with her whispering in her ear telling her what a great job she did taking care of her family.  I reassured her that we would be ok and I would see her soon.  I told her I loved her and by Saturday she was gone.  I can still see those big brown eyes full of love and comfort.  I’ve lost close friends and even a parent but nothing compares to the emptiness of losing Belle.

— sue from Indianapolis, IN