Bailey was mine and my husbands baby. We had her for a wonderful 10 and a half years. we had to put her to sleep two weeks ago and as every pet owner knows it was the hadest dicision we ever had to make. Bailey was a beatiful red colored Golden Reteiver , she love to swim in the lake, fetch a stick we would throw for her and keep it up all day if we let her. She was also a camping dog. We are still in shock and the house is so lonley and quiet without here. she was everywhere and all the routines that we ahd we still ahve to do those things without her. we just put her toys and pillows away this weekend but we still ahve her bowls out and the water bowl is still kept filled. i have had dogs growing up and have benn thru this before , but i have never been that close to a dog before, she was our whole life. Bailey was my husband first dog and she was his girl and he is taking this so hard we have read a few books and Pet Loss and onse of them really helped him to finally let it out. He had been feeling that he had’nt morned her enough because he could’nt cry I am very greatful to that book. like I said she was 10 and a half and when she turned ten she went blind almost over night with a consdition called S.A.R.D (sudden aquierd retinal degeneration) she coped with that well we even took her to a doggie opthamologist (did’nt even know they had those). three weeks ago we had gotten back from a camping weekend and on that Sunday night she had a seizure, it came out of nowhere.
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In 1996 I had to euthanize my old dog, Sally, a german shepherd foundling. As often happens, she died right after I opened a 25# bag of dog food, so I took the bag to our local Humane Society. While I was there, I thought I would just look at the dogs available for adoption. There was a beautiful large dog named Ipo. He had been at the shelter for 3 months, and had been the TV dog on a couple of occasions, but no one adopted him. He had already been at the shelter beyond the usual time, but the staff just couldn’t put him down.
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If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years –
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go.

Take me where my needs they’ll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve – it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years –
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.

– Author Unknown

Giving away a pet that has lived in a home for any length of time can be just as heartbreaking as it is to put the family pet to sleep.

When a person has a heart of gold and a love for Yorkshire terriers, it is easy to see how difficult it would be NOT to buy a Yorkie who HAD TO BE SOLD because of a “SPECIAL” circumstance.

One day Marley’s original Mom realized that she had 11 Yorkies and they were becoming a bit more than she could handle. She was ankle deep in tiny Yorkies. Each one was purchased because of a SPECIAL circumstance. The Yorkies weighed between 2 and 8 pounds and a 15 pounder that was the one exception to the rule. Even when all of the dogs were together they did NOT take up much space; however, the responsibility was becoming a bit overwhelming.
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Hi Mark, I have a special dog. Her name is Roaddog. We travel all over the place and have for her whole life which is 7 1/2 years. 4 days ago we were on our way home to see her grandpa and grandma.They haven’t seen her in a while and neither have I. We were almost home, driving up the side streets looking around at some old memories when we seen and old buddy of mine. I hit the breaks and we got out, went across the street to see my friend Mike. long story short we went to the front yard where my truck was parked across the street. Roddog knew that we were going to leave to go see gma and gpa so as she went for the truck she got hit by a car…………..

Dave from MT

My german shepherd dog was only eight years old when she passed. It has been three years and I am still greiving. She died unexpectantly, fortunately my ex-husband was there. My ex and I loved her dearly and we both had custody over her. She gave us pure love, forgiveness, and companionship. We took her camping and on road trips. We took comfort in knowing that she was always protecting us. When I had my toddler niece with us, she would always keep an eye on her, it was instinct for her to watch over her.

I feel that I am still grieving because I did not get to say good by to her. She woke up early one morning, woke my ex up, he looked at her, knew something was wrong. She gave him one last lick on his face as he bend down to look at her, she closed her eyes and stopped breathing. I still feel a hurt that has not gone away, will it ever? I hope there is a heaven for animials so that some day we can see them again. I want to run on the beach with my blondie again, even if in my dreams. Well of course we all survive I have two cats now and plan on getting 2 shelter dogs in the next year.l will do what I can to fight against animal abuse and contribute to the aspca. I would hope and pray that all good people will do what they can for these animals that are really angels on earth. Mark, thank you for your wonderful show, I thought I was alone until I heard all the wonderful, loving callers telling you their stories. I actuallly started to feel better and not alone. There are others whom like me and you, do care and will always have a special place in our hearts for our pets.

Virginia from CA