About 2 1/2 years ago, Buddy adopted us. While only a common grey squirrel, Buddy was part of the family. My wife and I are both very allergic to cats and dogs, but we love animals. Buddy was ideal since we weren’t allergic to her. Sadly, buddy passed away a couple of months ago due to complications from her last of several pregancies. She had been sick for a week or so and very skittish. We tried to catch her so we could take her to the vet, but had no luck. The last time we saw her was a Sunday morning just before we were to leave for church. I called her and in a few minutes she came crawling around the corner of the house, barely able to lift her head. I gave her some water and tried to catch her, but she avoided me and climbed in a bush. She would let me scratch her back, but still wouldn’t let me get her out of the bush. Before we left for church, she was barely breathing and we never saw her again. She is really missed. Two of her last litter are still around but it’s not the same.

— Barry from Southlake, TX

Sadly, my wife and I had a very tough weekend. Friday night after being with my 91 year old mother as she passed away, we came home to see our 10 year old Bailey having terrible difficulty walking and appearing in some pain. We took her to the emergency hospital in the morning where they “observed” her and sent her home with some pain medication and a prescription for anxiety and told me that she will be fine. That night she seemed to have difficulty breathing and the pain didn’t seem to go away. Sunday morning we took her to another emergency hospital where a competent doctor diagnosed her as having a brain tumor. (Bailey had one eye removed earlier this year due to a tumor, but they thought they got all of it). The doctor told us that she could only help Bailey by reducing the pain but that she would quickly become unable to eat and her suffering would increase. We didn’t want her to suffer any further so my wife and I decided to let Bailey be put to sleep. Bailey died with my wife and me holding her with love while she licked my finger. She trusted me so much. The picture I have provided is of her giving me her full trust as we played in water of the Sacramento Delta.

— Peter from Burlingame, CA

It was August 2002 and we were just a month removed from putting down our 5 year old Sheltie, Callie. She had contracted a radical form of Lymphoma and we were devastated by the loss. I’ve never cried so hard in my life.

We had no immediate interest in acquiring another dog, but something kept drawing me to the Sheltie rescue web sites. A local rescue had acquired a male Sheltie who had been abandoned. For whatever reason we immediately expressed interest and went to see him. He was about 6 ½ years old and had been shaved – he looked pathetic. Despite that, we fell in love with him and eventually adopted him. We called him Dusty.

Even with some medical issues and an unknown past (we think he was abused), Dusty quickly became a beloved member of our family. His desire for affection and display of unconditional love were always evident. He wanted to be held like a lap dog even though he weighed 30 pounds. We sometimes felt sorry for him because he didn’t know how to play like other dogs. He seemed, however, content curled up in a corner or on someone’s lap.

Over the past couple of years, Dusty’s age started to catch up with him – he didn’t want to run around as much and his hearing and sight waned. We knew that we would have to say goodbye to another loved one sooner rather than later.

In June, 2010 I was packing my car to begin the relocation process from Florida to Texas. On a pass through the house, I noticed that Dusty was on the back patio performing what I thought was his ritual back scratching. When I came back through the living room, he was on his side twitching – something wasn’t right. I figured that Dusty had suffered some sort of seizure, losing control of his bodily functions.

I hosed him off, scooped him up and rushed him to the vet’s office where they confirmed my suspicions. When I looked in his eyes, he had a glazed over look, as if he didn’t know me. As hard as it was, I knew it was time.

My wife and I cried over losing our Dusty “Boy” but we knew that he had well cared for that he was no longer in pain. Will we get another dog, even after losing two? Absolutely! It’s just going to take a little longer this time.

Rescuing Sprite provided a form of healing for me. As I read through the book, especially Chapters 9 – 11, I found myself putting the text down in order to wipe my eyes. It hit really close to home. Thank you Mark for sharing your experience with us.

— Steve from Plano, TX

If you want to meet the prettiest Blue-Point Siamese cat ever, and the cutest Seal-Point Siamese cat ever – read on! It all started in January 2004 when we adopted a 4-year old blue-point Siamese female named Petunia. At the time, we were interested in getting a cat, and my wife’s family was very much into Siamese cats. Therefore, when someone made us aware of Petunia’s need for a new home, we said yes! Now she was the beloved kitten of a young woman that succumbed to cancer. From the loss of her owner to her fourth birthday, she was passed around from place to place. When she came to us, she was distrustful, spiteful and hissed like a mountain lion. We were initially doubtful that she would become a willing member of our family. The spine-tingling growl made us fearful of her. However, her deep blue eyes gave us a hint that she only wanted a home and loving owners. Within a couple days, she came around and learned to trust us. In the years, since she has become a sweet cat that follows us around like a shadow, and sleeps on my shoulder at night. She tolerates the kids and has no desire to entertain guests in our house. Actually, it is her house and she allows us to live there!

When we were planning our move from a condominium to a single-family home, we determined that Petunia needed a playmate. We found a nice lady in Maryland that bred Siamese cats. She had a new seal-point kitten that had a great personality and wanted a good home. We adopted this new kitten, and since Petunia is named after a flower, we decided to name him Dandilion. We call him Dandi! He is a real neat cat that has always known love. He plays with the kids and greets all of our guests. Moreover, he has become a wonderful companion to Petunia. Petunia and Dandi are inseparable and spend the early evenings chasing each other around the house. To hear them run through the house at full speed is like hearing a herd of elephants. At the end of their raucousness, Petunia curls up on my shoulder and Dandi slithers in between my wife and I for a night’s rest.

— Gerald of Potomac Falls, VA

My dog Courage came to me about 8 years ago, not long after my ex abandoned my sons and me.
I have raised my two boys alone, (haven’t heard from their mom) since they were 5 and 7. I never remarried, and Courage has helped me in raising my sons.
I was diagnosed w/ major clinical depression about that time, but every med I was given was worse than the depression. Courage turned out to be the best anti-depressant I could ever hope for.
When I was tired from working and raising kids, Courage was there to play. When I was lonely at night, Courage was there beside me in bed, reminding me I was not alone.
Last June, I was found to have a malignant colon cancer. Courage is with me when I’ve been sick from radiation and chemo.
I am so convinced Courage was a little something extra for me from God, in addition to two fantastic sons, like icing on an already good cake! I can’t look at him without being reminded how God loves me, how He thinks about “little extras” I’ve never deserved.
Now my buddy has had a knot come up on his side, and I will sell my car if I have to, to take care of him. I owe him, big time, and I REALLY owe God, but how can I ever repay Him?
I guess by loving the little guy He gave me. What wonderful gifts God gives!

— Tony from Ringgold, GA

We have rescued many animals over the years, we have now 4 cats and two dogs all rescued from kill shelters or from being surrrendered. With the foreclosures, many people are having to give up their beloved pets. I hope to be able to save as many as possible, I am hopeful more will do the same.
We call ourselves “TT’s Angels in memoriam of my cat TT who has passed on to the great house above. Recently we rescued a Pitt Mix who was a “bait dog” and was going to be euthanized because she would NOT fight. I went and got her, and she is one of the most loving of all the pets I have rescued. We rescued a Great Pyrenees named “Bear” he was shelter bound as well because he didn’t get along with “new boyfriend”. He’s 160#’s of fur, and we love him! I will post pix of Bear and Cali if I am able to post more than one picture. Thank you for all you continue to do for us! We are very grateful.

We are not a non-profit organization, just a family saving one at a time. we also take all animals to the Veternarian to be checked out, and spayed / neutered. when re-homing them we never ask for more than what is spent on Veternarian care for the specific prospective adoptee. We also do fostering for Military families who are going to be temporarily stationed over – seas and cannot find a family member or friend to care for their pet. We don’t feel they should lose their pets because they are going to serve in the military on our behalf.

— Tammy from Citrus Heights, CA