Yesterday Dakota, a K9 officer on the Vancouver Washington police force was shot and killed by an armed suspect hiding in a brushy wooded area just outside of Vancouver. The suspect was apprehended minutes afterwards. Dakota’s partner Officer Evans found Dakota shot in the head and radioed out not to bring a litter, he would carry his partner out. Let’s all take a minute to honor these brave police dogs who often give their lives in the line of duty.

Judy from Washington

My first dog was a Rottweiler named Rutger. My husband and I got him when he was a puppy. We had him for 7 years and one day he died from a heart attack. I was so not prepared for Rutger to die. It took me weeks to remove his food bowls from the kitchen. I couldn’t believe he was really gone forever. One day, about a week after Rutger died, it just hit me that he was never coming back. I had a good cry.

Several years later we adopted an American Bulldog named Kasper. He was one year old when we got him. Not long after we got Kasper, he started having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. People told us to put Kasper to sleep, but the vet said with medication, he could live a good life. We had Kasper for about 5 years and one day he died in our backyard. I was very depressed, but happy knowing Kasper wouldn’t have to be suffer anymore from his illness.

My husband and I have since adopted 2 cats and we’re hoping they live a long time.

Michele from Georgia

Mark,

We had a cairn terrier named Cindy.  Remember Toto in Wizard of Oz, a cairn terrier?

Cindy was 16 1/2 years old when we faced the decision to put her down.

This was excruciatingly difficult. The day we decided it had to be done, I was going to be the strong one and lead the family in this most difficult task.  Looking at the vet, then looking at Cindy that last time, I found this so hard that it moved me to tears along with my wife and son.  I can’t describe how hard this was, but it had to be done as Cindy was practically blind, deaf, and health almost totally failing.  We had done everything possible to extend her life, we just couldn’t let go, but the time finally came to do it.

Cindy was with us when my son was 11 and for 16 1/2 years.  My son grew up with Cindy.   Cindy went everywhere with us and was truly part of the family.  We couldn’t imagine not having Cindy a home with us.

Thank you for discussing this.
Ron from VA

Mark,

Thanks for your story about Sprite.  I know how you feel only too well.  Our Bear joined our family in Germany about 4 months before my wife and I got married.  He traveled with us around Europe and finally back here to the USA.

He live to a ripe old age and I too had to make the kind of choice you did, and yes it still hurts. But I remember that Beaqr taought us alot about living life to the fullest, that the only limits we have have are the ones we place on ourselves.  He also reminded us of our own mortality.

God Bless, and pass the ammo!!!

– Radar

Dear Mark,

     The Animal page is great. Every time I read the Abby story I cry. I can’t read it without crying. It’s not a sad cry. It’s makes me feel my humility. Everything is so special and venerable. Seeing the Picture on (Mark’s Dog Corner) of the bigger dog named Millennium with the medical rap on him makes you think of this.

     I really Love my dog more than most people. People think I’m just saying that or kidding, but it’s true. Ruby was the runt of the litter. That’s why I bought her (the runt is 125 Lb.) I wonder how big the other dogs got. She cost a $250.00. That was the cheap part.

     Right after we got her she had to have a hernia fixed. She’s had 3 eye operation. Two on the left eye and one on the right eye. It was from 2 Entropion eye. This is when eyelids are growing and roll into the eye. If not fixed it will cause Blindness.
(more…)

My lil’ Pomeranian is a great baby sitter, Mark! The only time he growls is when I’m a little rough scrubbing him at bath time. I get him back in line by telling him to straighten out, or I’ll send him to Michael Vick! Ha ha! Love the show, Mark! You’re a great American!

Lance from TN