Just bought your book after hearing you talk about it on Sean’s show this week. I too have been through the death of a pet.
I wanted to share a brief message a friend of mine sent me after I had to put down my little dog Buddy after a two year struggle with liver failure. Putting him to sleep was the most emotionally painful and difficult thing I have ever had to do. I held him as the drug was administered and he quietly slipped away. I cried like I have never cried before and didn’t care who saw me. Later that day a friend of mine sent me this little message that brought me comfort:

“Good afternoon dear friend–my heart is with you right now. Those of us who truly know and experience the unselfish love that a dog has for the one(s) he or she loves have a real glimpse into the Heart of our Creator and I believe that He gave us the opportunity for that experience to learn just that. Hang in there–some day we will be playing with them all over again-never to lose their love again—”

Brian from NE

It is my honor to introduce Bueller to you. He was a wonderful friend whose time was cut too short. Bueller was 6 1/2 when he suddenly left us. He is a blue Great Dane and the best four legged friend I will ever know. He could stop full grown men in there tracks as they would bend over to say “that is the most beautiful I ever did see”. Scenes like that were frequent occurrences when we lived in Springfield Missouri. I have never seen a big “biker dude” tear up over a dog before I had Bueller.
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I love dogs, horses and all animals. In fact right now, our dog, Sampson, is barking at me and dropping a ball in my lap to convince me to quit typing and play with him. I’m a regular guy. I hunt, fish, shoot guns (and carry one), love my country and, a proud Christian. I’ve lived in the same house for 21 years. I detest P.E.T.A. and don’t think much of the National Humane Society for their stance against hunting and trying to kill the great sport of dog racing). I recognize the difference between human beings and animals. Sometimes I get into the guy thing and think I’m tough. I don’t break into teaars on a regular basis. However, two years ago our wonderful dog, a member of our family, Runner, ran to visit some other dogs and we never saw her again. Runner was (is) an incredibly smart dog. Runner figured out on her own not to do her business on other peoples lawns and somehow knew the difference between private property and a right of way. Believe it or not, she would think about things for days or longer and scheme and plan. It’s the scheme and plan part that was the problem relative to her losing her family. My son loves her, and she loves him, so much I’m at a loss how to describe it.
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I am very partial to animals; I think because they are so reliant on us humans and they give to us unconditionally. We currently have 2 dogs and 3 cats. One cat we took over from my, at the time sick, father-in-law, now deceased. We actually helped him choose “Sasha” after his wife passed away a year before he passed away. She can’t seem to stop pooping in the house but I refuse to get rid of him as alot of people would do.

My story is about my cat “Snick” short for Snickers because when I rescued her when she was 8 weeks old, I was starving and she reminded me (in colors) of a snickers bar. Crazy I know, but tt stuck. I had her for 14 years and she was with me through thick and thin as they say. Her first 5 years we lived together in a one -room apartment and she remained indoors. Then, I moved to Las Vegas to be with someone who didn’t even like cats and told me if I was to relocate with him that Snick could not come. Well, guess what..I chose the cat and he decided to agree. It turned out that he fell in love with her. Fortunately I will say, this man and I did not stay together and I ended up meeting my current husband who also was not a cat person and the first night we finally decided to consumate our relationship, he had dropped his pants and underpants on the floor of the bed and Snick (durning our recreational activity) proceeded to pee all over his clothes. It made for a good laugh when it came time for him to go to work.
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This past Sun my wife, son and I said goodbye to our beloved Kia (16 yr old) Siberian Husky. She was with us since I adopted her at 2 yrs of age. A constant companion for all of us. She loved her walks, but mostly loved just being in the car whenever we went somewhere. there is so much more to tell but Suffice it to say we loved her as one of us. Today we picked up her remains and the Hospital staff gave us a reminder of her along with her ashes. A heart shaped casting of her paw, engraved with her name and date of her passing.

Raymond from WA

Our son said that “Gizmo” had won the dog lottery. Animal control had found him lost and alone on the city streets. He captured her heart and she took him home for a birthday present for me. While waiting for the time, their family bonded with him and he stayed for a time at their home, along with their wolf mix female. It wasn’t long before they found the presence of two active dogs overwhelming and they decided to bring him on to us on the Oregon Coast.

Gizmo was untrained and would dash anywhere to greet people. One morning he dashed onto the street and went completely under a car. When I found him a moment later he was laying by our curb and looking over to me for help. I think the Lord knew he was special. He was in shock, but had no major injuries and was soon back to running and playing soccer with me. I was very negligent that day, I never could forget that moment. It still haunts me.
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