After listening to you Mark, I am compelled to tell you my story. We got our small Shitzu in 1987. We had her for nearly 18 years. She was with us every day of that 18 years. She was never boarded anywhere and went with us wherever we went. On 15 June 2005 we were forced to put her to sleep with no other options available to us. We spent thousands of dollars on vet bills in her last few years and would have spent thousands and thousands more had there been any hope. In the last 6 months of her life my wife fed her thru a baby bottle as she could no longer eat on her own. Looking back I wonder how much of that we did for ourselves as much as for her. We just could not let go. Over 2 years later I think of her daily and cry as I miss her so much. We never had kids and she was our child. God bless you for Mark’s Dog Corner.

Sammy from LA

The following is a short excerpt from a longer work from Rev. Renee Karen’s book “Your pet is talking to you … Are you listening?”

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF YOUR BELOVED PET

It is now time for me to say “Good Bye” It will be very sorrowful to leave you but not a sorrow for me to die. Animals do not fear death as humans do. We accept this as part of our lives. What will become of me after death? I will be in a place where I will always be young. A place that will be a paradise for me. Some people call that “Heaven” Yes animals have souls. God has a special place in heaven just for us.

I have another request. Please find another animal to be at your side. I know no one can take my place, but I will feel better knowing you are taking special care of another pet. It would be a poor tribute to me, if no one ever followed me.

One last word of farewell dear ones… Whenever you think of me say to yourself that I was the one you loved; and how much you loved me. No matter how deep my sleep, I shall hear you and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail. May the angels always watch over you as thet watch over me. Remember…I will always be with you in love.

Martin from Texas

I wanted to share with you a few words about my best friend, Snowball. I met Snowball at our vet’s office in the Chicago area and we instanlty became friends. She was a white small ball of fur and some friends of the vet found her and her brother on the side of the road. Snowball was a white german shepherd and russian wolfhound. I adopted her, but already had a dog so I couldn’t sneak two puppies home without my wife freaking out. From the time I brought her home, everyone fell in love with her. She was a great protector, a failthful friend and always happy to see me when I came home from work. She gave all she had, but only asked for a little love (and a few snackers) in return. I never had to be concerned about the safety of my wife and children at home while Snowball was in charge. She was a faithful guardian of the house and let visitors know not to mess with our family.

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Hunter came to live with us as the result of my son’s divorce. He was a yellow lab cross, but looked exactly like “Ole Yeller” of the movie. He was a wonderful loving dog who loved to chase squirrels, and swim in the small lake next to our property, and go uninvited to our neighbors Bar-B-Ques. Many was the time our phone would ring and tell us Hunter was enjoying the party too much and would we please come get him.

The story of Hunter’s bravery takes place in 1991. Four years before a young woman came to live with us and help me around the house. At the time we didn’t know she was pregnant, but 8 months later she gave birth to a son named Michael. As Michael grew older he and Hunter became the best of pals….Hunter followed him everwhere. On summer day in 1991 when Michael was about 4 he slipped away from his mother and when directly to the bridge over the nearby lake. Of course, Hunter followed him. Somehow Michael slipped and fell headlong into the water. He was crying and gasping for air when Hunter jumped into the water. Michael grabbed Hunter’s collar and swam him to the bank where by that time his mother was waiting. My Spanish isn’t very good but I can just imaging the tongue lashing Michael got. By the way, he never pulled that trick again.
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I posted before with my Sweetpea.. and since I have read each and every one of your posts. I keep kleenex handy because I shed tears for your losses and tears for your joy and love for your pets. I thank Mark Levin for this forum. ( hug to Mark)

My Sweetpea was preceded by Lucky. Her full name in the AKC file was LadyLuck but Lucky just stuck.

I got her at 12 weeks old and she was the absolute best puppy. She grew to be a kind sweet dog who loved everyone, and everyone loved her. Neighborhood kids would ring my bell and ask…can Lucky come out with us to play? She was my shadow… somehow always managed to be at my side. 24/7 she was with me as my work is at home.

She got cancer. Pancreatic. I don’t know how or why. She had surgery and they gave her two weeks to live and suggested I put her to sleep. I said NO. She lived happily for five more months until the Tuesday that was election day when I woke up to find her almost lifeless.

I took her to the vet. Lucky did not know me after all our years together. I asked the vet.. ‘ is it time’? She said yes. So I held her in my arms while the shot was administered. I walked out of there with a roll of paper towels used as Kleenex.. sobbing. Had to go directly to the polling place to vote. So I did. Sobbing like a fool with a paper towel and I didnt care what I looked like. I was in mourning. I told the election judge I had just had a death in the family. That is how much I loved her.
So, I will post this photo. It is small but one of Lucky looking up to the sky.

Linda from IL

We adopted Belle from a working couple, both of whom had full-time jobs and had Belle in her cage all day long while they were at work. They were looking to place her in a home where she would have some freedom and not be left alone and caged all day long. My wife stays at home raising our 4 year old son so Belle was a good fit for our family. So, in March 2007 at the tender age of 1 year old, Belle became an official part of our family.

Belle is a Jack Russell terrier and I have never seen a dog with so much energy. Her favorite game is tug-of-war. As soon as I get home from work, Belle runs for one of her toys and begins barking to get my attention. An energetic game of tug of war then begins.

She has been a great companion to our family.

One of Belle’s other favorite pastimes is venturing on to our neighbor’s farm to play with their Jack Russell, which is 11 years old and doesn’t have the same level of energy that Belle has. After about an hour or so of chasing around the older dog, Belle will then triumphantly return home.

Jim from NJ