My best friend “Pal” was a black lab mix. With a white chest with black spots, a little white on his snout, and
the tip of his tale. He first belonged to a good friend of mine, with whom I worked. She was the manager, and I the on site maintenance man for a townhouse rental community in Stockton Ca. Pal used to sometimes unlatch the back gate of the yard and come over, scrath on my door and just hang out.

Then after I had moved away, my friend got into a position where she could not keep Pal because of her new job. She called me to see if I would be able to take him. When I showed up to get him, he was so happy, he hopped right into my truck. Pal and I left California in 1995, to move back to the Chicago area, (Where I am from). What a sight, a loaded down 72 Ford Courier, Pal and I.

All we needed was grandma in the rockin chair, and it would have looked the the Beverly Hillbilly’s all over again. It was the first time he ever saw snow, and he like the fact that I could make endless balls for him to chase. He was a little confused at first though when he tried to pick them up. Several years ago, his health started to deteriorate, the vets could not figure it out, and he progressed to the point to where I finally had to have him put to sleep. It was just a couple of weeks before Christmas. He was my best friend, and I do still miss him. I miss the thumping of that big heavy tail pounding on the floor when I would come home. No matter how hard the world had kicked me in the butt that day, I had a friend waiting for me to let me know it would be OK.

Samuel from Il

An abused female, KiKi or Kia was rescued from an animal shelter in Alaska. Rocco, Jannine’s husband, was drawn to her because she sat stoically in a state of emaciation amid kennel chaos. She was least lovely of the crowd, but Rocco looked beyond a
sparse coat and bones which testified to abuse.

Kia was sociable. She daily walked a treat-filled visitation route through the neighborhood. Warren and Barb et al. lovingly contributed to an overweight problem. Eventually, Kia made her way to Nana’s house where she would struggle to pull her arthritic body up on Nana’s prized leather couch. There on cool leather, she would sigh and nap for the afternoon.

Kia was a brave soul. While out on an exercise run, a younger, larger dog attacked her; Kia’s mouth opened and she slammed the bigger dog down. Unperturbed, she continued her run. Old or young, outdoor noises summoned her attention.

Kia was tolerant about differences. She congenially howled with the family and Nana for poor choral imitations of the “cry of the wild. The “pack” misses her, and thanks God for her short life on earth.

Sydney from Alaska

I have mourned the loss of many a canine friend and have been devastated by their deaths, but the story that I would like to share is of an animal that inspired me with her life. In May of 2006, we adopted a horse into our barn that we named Nelly. She was all of 800 pounds (she should have been more like 1200), could hardly stand and had severe laminitis in both front feet. Nelly could not be turned out with all of the other horses, she was too frail and weak, so I turned her out into the arena, which we later dubbed Nelly’s room and the aisle between the other paddocks. Even then, Nelly had such a sweet spirit and whinny and appreciated anything you did for her. I was advised by both of my vets to put her down , but after we all spent some time with her, we realized that she had a strong will to live and decided to give her that chance. After some research I found out that Nelly had been a champion racehorse and had actually been bred with the son of Spectacular Bid, the 1980 horse os the year.

Her registered name was Fool’s Rush, and she had led a fairy tale life. How she ended up hobbling around my back yard is anyone’s guess. Nelly started to thrive in her new surroundings, she gained weight, became more sure footed and made fast friends with the other horses, the whole atmosphere changed due to her presence. She was probably in considerable pain, even then, but never complained. There were days when I would be softly crying for her and go down at night to give her some extra treats and she would greet me with her sweet whinny, it was not one of impatience or need but rather, I am so glad to see you. More times , than not, she would nuzzle me with that soft nose, wipe my tears away and then convey that she would really like some more hay. Those were the moments when all seemed right with the world.

(more…)

Mark, I am 74 yrs young and I have tried not to tell my story, for it still hurts to think of the lost we had 4 years ago of our Lucy, just a dog they say.

I am blessed with wonderful & healthy, [9] kids, [16] grandkids and a great wife.

Had various dogs with the kids as they were growing up. I made the vet trips for their shots etc. Enjoyed, but really never spent much time with the animals. Being a farm boys you learned not to get attached, as you know why.

Fourteen years ago, my wife set out to get a toy poodle. I was not pleased with the idea.. She is a strong conservative, but she used a liberal saying, the dog would be shared with my grand daughters that lived close by. I couldn’t say no to the children of my life.

Before I knew it we had a one & half pound toy black poodle, with an over-bite that no one wanted, following me around. I would come home tired at night & Lucy would be in my lap with a toy wanting to play. Laugh we did. She soon learned 6 or 7 tricks.
(more…)

On a wet, cold night last January, My wife and I were taking our son to his apartment in a nearby city. Later in the evening, after depositing him, my wife would drop me off at work, and she would go home. Long, long story short, my son forgot his house keys, and that involved, of course turning around, and returning the twenty miles to our house, geting his keys and starting all over again. While helping him search for his keys in our home, I happened to grab an old sweatshirt that was in my closet. I hadn’t worn the thing in years, I only kept it as it was a momento from a trip to Paris, France when I was in the Air Force. Anyway, we all piled back in the car, keys and old sweatshirt in hand. this go-around, they would drop me at work, (I’m a Police Officer), and my wife would run my son home.

Upon pulling into the department parking lot, we noticed an old cardboard box laying on it’s side in the middle of the lot. We didn’t pay much attention to it, I gathered my gear and headed for the office. A moment later my wife screamed “John!!” I turned to see my son cradling a small, shivering Toy Fox Terrier puppy, cold and wet, but happily licking his face. My son asked if I had a blanket in the car. I did not, but I did have, yep, that old sweatshirt. We dried her off as best we could, and wrapped her small body in the rest of the shirt and with the car heater, she warmed up in no time. There was no question that my son would keep her. Once he brought her to his home, his fiancee also fell in love with her.

(more…)

I found him in the parking lot of an old bar & expected him to run or fight as I picked him up — but he just climbed into my arms. I don’t know how old he was — but he was my best friend for 22 years.

He was a cat that decided he was going to like you until you liked him back & everyone he came in contact with did like him.

He had a “meow” such as never was heard (thus his name). He had a different meow for the different things he wanted & to that end — while speaking w/ my boss on the phone — my bos recorded his meow & another time Mau was wanting his food while I was on the phone & whoever I was talking to at the time suggested I hang up & feed my child & we both laughed when I told her that is my cat.

Mau was always at the door when I came home & if I did not pick him up he would climb up my clothes & perch himself on my shoulders & just purr away.

His main meals were whatever I was having & that inculdes carrots (when he could chew ’em) Hot wings (and that caused a different meow when he was in the litter box), donuts, & dorritos & iced tea.

If I was sick, he would always lay beside me & just purr. And that brings up another thing — Mau was a drooler — he was alwas drooling & once when I had strept throat & fell asleep with him on my chest I awoke to find my face wet from his drool — but we were friends & it was OK.

He liked dogs & would just kinda not bother with them — but other cats or kittens he took as a total offense & woud sulk & not purr until they were gone.

He became sick very quickly — his kidneys failed & he could not hydrate himself fast enough. So I took him in & the doctor asked if I wanted to stay outside the room — but how could I? We were friends & I could not let him die alone or without a fiend by his side. As he was dying he put out his paw & wrapped it around my finger & we held each other until he was gone.

The doctor told me he had never seen anything like that before & if he had not been treating Mau for 22 years he would have thought he was around 8.

I had my friend cremated & I have his ashes in a jewlery box on my dest with a name plate. I have told all my nephews & nieces that when I die — I want Mau placed with me.

I miss him so much & I can’t wait until I see him in heaven & have him perch himself on my shoulders again — let your body sleep & your spirit be free my friend until we meet again.

David from MI