As an animal lover, I found my true love at a pet rescue on July 3, 1995.  My husband and I named him Brutus (chihuahua mix).  He was all ears when we got him at 3 months old.  He has been our best friend throughout the years.  He was always there for us through thick and thin.  He loved us unconditionally.  It is with a sad heart that we lost our beloved little man on July 20 at the age of 15.  We know that he lived a great life with us and got to travel to many new locations. Our hearts still ache for him, but we know that we will see him again at the Rainbow Bridge.  We are getting through it, but we still miss him a lot.

— Donna from Ooltewah, TN

This is Maggie. She was part of our family until her death earlier this year. We think she was 14 year-old. We had Maggie since she was a puppy when my wife found her near her car at her employer’s parking lot. Maggie had chewed off her leash and had ran away. She was maybe 2 months old and was but a black fur ball. My wife put up signs and an ad in the paper but nobody called so we kept her.
Maggie must have been a full blood black Chow Chow. There wasn’t a kinder, nobler creature, even though these dogs tend to command healthy respect from strangers. She also was very cat-like in her ‘gestures’ and habits, right down to crossing her front paws when she would lay down.
Maggie was there before either of our kids were born but she welcomed them and stoically bore their games (dressing her up, or riding her like a horse….). Never was she aggressive or bite anybody, but you certainly would ‘hear’ from her if you knocked on the door. I’m sure it sounded like a 150 lbs mastiff from the other side of the door.
In a way, our whole family was merely staying in Maggie’s castle. She was our benevolent Queen. Many times, she would sit at the top of our driveway and ‘people’ watch. I always thought she was surveying her domain. I would watch the occasional unsettled neighbor cross the street to avoid passing in front of her. In these occasions she would simply turn her head sideways. I think she was laughing inside.
About two years ago Maggie’s health started to deteriorate. She lost an eye due to a tumor. She had bladder stones. Her hips were bothering her. She couldn’t hear. She would pant all the time. We were lucky to have great vets who looked after her and care for her. One Sunday in April, she had a seizure. A few hours later she had another, and another. We knew it was time to say goodbye to Maggie who loved us unconditionally for so many years. The next day, all four of us laid on a blanket with her at the vet’s office and said our goodbyes. Right before she was gone, her breathing eased up and after many years, she didn’t pant anymore. She was very peaceful and then she was gone.
We always think of Maggie because we have a small frame picture of her with a paw print in our kitchen. We miss her. Wherever she is, I’m sure she’s sitting, looking regal, with her paws crossed, laughing at the folks going by.

— Humberto from Indianapolis, IN

I want to thank you for your show and this forum. I had to let you know about a great friend of our family that we lost today. Her name was Prissy.  She was a Pekingese/Chihuahua mix.  We got Prissy as a shelter dog when she was four years old back in 1999.  She became one of our best buddies and a friend to all.  It has been a tough year for us in my household.  We have this past year had to take in my Father In-Law who is dealing with mild dementia and some other health issues.   In addition back at the beginning of the year my Father had to go into the hospital and is currently attempting to wean off of a ventilator. So losing Prissy has been a big blow to us.   It has been tough on my wife, who I think feels bad that she could not do more for Prissy towards the end.  I have to remind her that we have had a lot on our plates lately.  I even have to remind myself with work, trying to help Mother  & Dad, and helping my wife.    However one of the things that I don’t think I will ever forget was today.  My sister in-law and niece were there.  It was hard on Leannie (my niece).  She and Prissy were real close.  However I think Prissy had to know just how loved she was.   The vet who handled putting her to sleep was really great and her kindness towards us was something that I think will always touch me. It had to be strange to see this gut unable to keep it together but she was very patient with me!  Well I think I will go now.  But thanks again Mark for this forum. Please remember us in your prayers.  And thanks again.  I think I really needed this.

— Mark from San Antonio, TX

I have many stories, at my age, of dogs loved and lost. But my Sadie is the reason I bought your book. I adopted Sadie, a Min-Pin, in 2000. My son had bought a puppy from the breeder and when he picked up the pup, the owner told him she and her husband were splitting up, so they had to get rid of all the dogs. She told him Sadie was 3 years old. She wasn’t, she was 5-6 by this time. My son offered her to me and into my life walked the most amazing little dog I’ve ever had. I took her right to the veterinarian and had her teeth cleaned, the works. She had a small heart murmur at this time. I had her spayed, too. Five years later, she had her teeth cleaned again. Meanwhile, it took about 3 months for her to stop looking for her previous family. One day, I noticed her eyes seemed to be bloating. Indeed they were. She went to the eye specialist on Long Island, the best in the country. He pronounced auto-immune disease of the eyes and prescribed daily eye-drops and salve, for the rest of her life. As soon as we began treatment, she realized it was helping. She would turn her head from side to side so I could put the drops into each eye. She kept me on schedule with her medicines. Then, in 2005, about 3 days after her regular heartworm medication, although I didn’t connect the two at the time, she became weak, dizzy, disoriented, and started vomiting terribly. For a 12 lb dog, she lost 4 lbs in 2 days. She was so weak I thought she was going to have to be put down. I couldn’t face it. The vet told me if she could only keep something down, anything, she could make it.

I fed Sadie Pedialyte and Gerber’s baby food, on my finger, until she kept a mouthful down. She lived through it. Now, in 2006 I moved to Florida (with her). She really liked it here, felt right at home. But the heart murmer kept worsening. She was started on heart meds. Every day she took her medications like a champ. She knew I was helping her. She was the love of my life. In March 2010, one night I got up in the middle of the night and she had a seizure. I knew it was time. She didn’t come out of it. She couldn’t stand or hold her head up. I drove her to the Emergency Vet where we said good-by in a small 4-8 room. I still cry for her, but I have a new puppy. Just like you. Thank you, Mark for your wonderful words, sharing your heart with us.

— Carolyn from Cape Coral, FL

Well when I met my wife she was living in Miami and I was in Orlando, On the weekends I would drive down to see her and we would always go to pet shops looking for a special little puppy to take home. After many trips back and forth, we could never decide on one especially because of the costs. One day my soon to be wife’s friend came home and told us about someone she new that had chihuahua/ mini pins for sale, so we wanted to see them. Well out of all the new pups there was only a couple left and my wife brought one of them home. PANCHO. At fist I was uncertain about the little guy and a bit hesitant to keep him. But then I thought this poor little guy needs someone to take really good car of and that person was me. This little Guy brings me so much Joy and wants nothing but love. My wife and I have had Pancho for 10 years now and he has to be the best dog in the world. Great personality and what a lover!!! Just like a person.. We love you P nut!

— Justin in Orlando, FL

Baxter is our boy (rottie) who was rescued from a bad owner who let him run loose. After his 3rd run in with a car and pins holding his back legs together the Vet convinced the owner he would be better off with a fish as a pet. Baxter came home with us and became an agility pro and loved jumping and tunnels. He has been a constant friend and companion. He was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago and was only given 4 months. He is still doing fine although a little slower. We hope he will make it to his 14th birthday in November. We know the dreadful day is coming but have a lifetime full of great memories!

— Randy in Peachland, BC, Canada