In march /06 we lost our 14 year old black Lab,who had a tumor in his intestine. He went in two weeks, taking us all by surprise. It took me 9 months to stop crying. We had two other small dogs whom we loved and began to slowly recover. Our other dogs also felt the loss and didn’t eat for a while. I hand feed them and lavished more love on them. Just as we were getting it together, our Baby Girl ,a Lasa suddenly became very sick. I took her to the vet and for three days they tried to sabalize her. Her body was shutting down one organ at a time. The vet said she had full blown diabetes. Nothing they could do. That was this passed May. I miss her so. I cry everyday, trying to get thru the rest of my life at age 65. Thank God I have a little Papinone, Elbie. I hope he at 5 will live long.

Linda in VA

Miss Fritzi bounced into my heart on Christmas Eve, 1997; an 8 week old German Shepard Dog. I know others have loves wrapped up in fur, but this pup was like no other. Over the next 7 years, she grew from a set of paws and ears with a puppy attached, to the most beautiful creature ever created; sleek, strong and Oh, so noble. To others, she presented her aloof, regal and ever watchful side, but with me, she was all wagging tail and wet kisses. The only time she ever left my side was to chase the deer that ventured too close, always streaking back to me for praise and hugs. When she was just past her 7th birthday, she was diagnosed with canine lymphoma.

Yes, Mark, I know what you have gone through. We chose to have our pal (vet) come to our home to release my darling Fritzi. I held her head in my lap and stoked that amazing head, whispered to her over and over how much I loved her, how grateful I was for all she had given me and how very full my heart is because she was in my life, even though losing her was breaking it. She slipped away, and the world seemed a bit colder. It’s been three years, and I still smile when I remember how amazing she was. And I still weep because she’s gone.She sleeps in our back yard now, in a bordered bed of flowers with a puppy angel keeping watch. Today would have been her 10th birthday. I miss her so terribly. Thank you for the chance to share.

Hazel from WI

I lost my beloved Afghan Hound Emir (he was born during the first gulf war) 3 years ago next March. He was almost 15, which is ancient in dog years. When he disobeyed us, which was often, he would sit in the backyard, looking just like a spook. He was so clever that he learned how to open the refrigerator. Afghans are VERY intelligent; they just don’t have a strong desire to please their masters. They have their own agenda. Since the Afghan is my favorite breed, I will probably get another one at some point, but it could never replace my best buddy in the world (except for my husband).

Susan from WA

Though I am more of a cat person than a dog person, I have developed a relationship with our next door neighbor’s dog. They leave it in the back yard and never come out to play with him. When I go into our backyard, he comes to fence and wags his tail. I reach over the fence and pet him and talk to him. I throw him sticks from our yard and he fetches and brings them back to me. He seems kind of timid sometimes. I feel sorry for him. I don’t think people should get pets, especially dogs, if they don’t have time or want to socialize with them. Dogs and cats are very social animals that crave human relationships. They want to be part of a family. I guess a “pack” or a “pride”. It just isn’t right to leave a dog alone outside all of the time. The dog is a pit bull, but he’s very friendly. I belive that all dogs are born with an instinct to be friendly and love humans, but only become mean if they are raised to be. I am buying Mark’s book for my friend who is a dog rescuer. She has several dogs that she has rescued, she fosters dogs waiting for homes and she volunteers for SPCA work.

God Bless

Kevy from TX

Thank you for writing this book. I haven’t read it yet but after I lost my kitty suddenly last year I am regularly on a pet loss website comforting and sharing with people who’ve lost their pets. I listen to you and Rush and Sean regularly and it is nice to know we share this love and compassion for animals and their owners. I am sending my first post after losing my kitty Brahms last
year, I wish it wasn’t true but after a year and 4 months I still grieve him.
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Brahms
After 16 years of having cats and never losing one. I lost my beloved 3 year old orange tabby named Brahms Lullaby who was born in my house in April of 2003 where his mom Lucy and brother Scotty Underpants (Scott Joplin)
both live along with my 16 year old (diabetic) gold tabby named Gus who is a great miracle . Brahms disappeared on July 1st 2006 during the night. It was the worst day of my life and brought the most incredible sadness I’ve ever known. He was a huge cat 18 pounds – and was the most gentle, loving, angelic cat I’ve ever known. He always purred unless something scared him, he was the happiest cat, just loved life, loved the other cats, loved me. They are all angels, Brahms was even more – I am convinced he was truly an angel and that’s why he couldn’t stay too long. We miss him terribly, I’ve never known grief like this and right now am grasping onto the thought of seeing him again in heaven – my comfort. I had wanted 2 brothers and they were the sweetest pair of brothers – Brahmies and Scotty Underpants that you would ever want to see. Scotty gets so much extra love now. Just grieving him, wanting to see him in heaven.
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I since have written many stories and shared pictures on this website but this was the first…It is still hard to take.
I have 3 other wonderful cats one who is 17 and I live with this dread always but thank God for every day with them.

Laurie from MI

Tribute to a Dog, The One Absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his masters side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in it’s jouney through the heavans.

Jeff from IL