Alex is our 16 year old adopted greyhound. We rescued him in Hollywood, FL when he was 4 years old and coming off the track. He is such a wonderful member of our family along with our 15 year old female greyhound Aspen. They are like an old married couple. They are both getting up there for big dogs especially former atheletes. We will enjoy them and make them comfortable until the end.

Jay from Louisiana

I can relate with you regarding Sprite. Since 2004, I had to have my dog Oaken (13 yrs),
2005, my cat Spunky (11 yrs), Oaken’s best friend and just Monday my car Princess Isis (not sure of age,but at least a senior),. She was a gift from my daughter and son-in-law after Spunky was put down. It is so hard emotioanlly. Princess Isis was having seizures all day Sunday and continued after taking her to emergency pet hospital. The doctors informed me of tests, but those would cost at a lot and no guarantee of the outcome should she go under surgery. I felt the best would be to have her put down.The one consolation, which is very important, is that she had in her last 26 months a good quality of life.
Oaken was given to me by a friend when she 11/2 years old. She was a beautiful Australian Shepherd Mix.
Spunky we got her from a pet shop that was giving the kitttens away that were found
in a dumpster behind the pet shop.
My daugher and son-in-lay also had to put their cat Figaro down in 2006 .

I presently have 2 dogs that i adopted Toby , who I saw before putting Oaken down. I thought it would be a good idea for Oaken to have a friend. The following I had to put Oaken down. That weekend I aaopted Toby, who looked just like a smalled Oaken, but is an Australian Cattle Dog. I adopted Kaysee shortly after moving to Florida from Californai. My daughter and son-in-law got me another kitten shortly after they give me Priness Isis.
These animals are absolutely amazing–almost like little kids. I could write more about my dog and cats past and present. I will say I have learned much from my dogs and cats.

Eva from Florida

My history with dogs starts from before I was born. Shortly after getting married, my parents bought a German shepherd. They named her Sheba. She was a very hyper dog, but a very good dog. This was my first dog. She was very good with me, and with my younger brother’s when they came around. The story of how we “actually” lost her was not revealed to me until I was much older, but here is that story. We had gone out of town, and left her at a local kennel. When we returned, we had still not gone to pick her up. I went into my Mom’s bedroom, ( I was in kindergarden at the time). She just hung up the phone and was crying. Come to find out, Sheba had “died” while in their care. They refused to give my parents the body. It was a very weird situation. Come to find out, the vet that was associated with that kennel had rumors about him stealing pure bred dogs while in his care and selling them. While this has not been proven, it makes a lot of sense.
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Mark,
First let me say that I am sorry for your lost in Sprite. My story begins five years ago. My fiance at the time suprised me with a wounderful blessin for my birthday. She gave me the greatest gift in a small Pembrooke Welsh Corgi. His name is Roqi. Shortly after I ask my fiance to leave and I kept Roqi for myself. he has been my best friend ever sice. The love is unconditional. Let me tell you about our fall Saturday tradition. I come home from work and I see him and his nub of a tail start to waggle. He knows that it is time for our pregame ritual. I smoke ribs the night before. He is always at my feet hoping that a treat finds it way to him (as always do). During kick off I always say Roll Tide. As I say roll Tide, Roqi sits by my side and barks in tune with me. It is a special moment that we share. Roqi is so funny that he knows and follows the game. It gives me great pleasure to tell you this story of Roqi the Alabama Crimson Tide dog fan. I dread the time when Roqi will not be there when I come home one day, yet I will always cherrish the time we have an continue to have.
Thank you for the time and Roqi says Roll Tide

Brian from New Jersey

Mark you are remarkable, kind, tenderhearted, dedicated, and have a great propensity for helping folks that have lost family members and that includes their pets. Thank you and God Bless you.

Besides Skippy belowI have had two other friends, Mokie a Seberian Husky and Shadow a Peekapoo and both of them have passed away of old age .

I write poetry and this poem is about “My Pal Skippy”. 50 years ago Skippy was my buddy and pal

My pal Skippy was a tan spitz mix. He was the most loyal dog and full of tricks.

I loved him because he was my friend, so true. You couldn’t help loving him because he would easily show his love to you.

My pal Skippy was medium-sized, if you please. He would guard his territory, including me, and protect it with ease.
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I am a Belgian Sheepdog breeder, but I also volunteer 2 weekends a month to our local shelters. Volunteering at a shelter is one of the most uplifting and heartbreaking experiences I’ve ever done.

Usually when I am at the shelter I let the dog (s) I am working with out in the yard for a good 1/2 hour of running off some steam, then we walk. I try to teach them some leash manners, but if they don’t have them, I will go and sit at the nearby pond with them, just brushing them, talking to them and trying like hell to understand why these wonderful dogs were dumped.

Oh yes, I can look in their eyes and see them as puppies, why someone would want “a cute puppy” and I can also see how they grow up and people don’t want them anymore.

I foster dogs occasionally and I have a Heinz 57 dog myself who is going on 12 years old in January of 2008.

When people contact me for a pup I’ve bred, I always send them to Rescue or to their local shelter first. I haven’t bred a litter in 2 years and I believe it’s because of all the dogs I’ve met in our local shelters.

Thanks Mark for your story about Sprite. It’s people like you who make us shelter volunteers do what we do!

Judy from New Jersey