I lost my Maddie Monday, May 17th. She was almost 15 and a half years old.  I had just nursed her back from to health from vestibular syndrome, completely healed, and was looking forward to a wonderful summer together.  We had just got back from a vacation in the U.P.  I have lots of great pictures. This one is one of my favorites

I became Maddie’s mom when she was 12 weeks ago.  She was a little ball of Chow/Lab red fluff, with a black mask and like the Chow in her, a black tongue I didn’t know her exact date of birth so I assigned her January 22, 1995.  Together we were “apackof2”

Maddie was a one of-a-kind.  I often referred to her as “Maddie the Wonderdog”. You could ask anyone who knew her. Maddie was intelligent, independent, dignified, beautiful, an excellent hunter, watchdog and an amazing athlete, adaptable, adorable, charming, loving companion and travel buddy.  I adored her and she loved me with that “unconditional love” reserved for only dogs and God and that dog parents are so very blessed to know.

We always walked, in parks where she could be off leach and hunt.  When a youngster, she would take off and be gone too long, sometimes 2 hours while I frantically searched for her, I would go back to where the car was parked and there she would be!  She did learn that choices had consequences method, “Good come, no leach, bad come leach”!  And she learned to come back when called or tell time and come back in a reasonable period and it became part of our walk…if she took off on an excellent adventure, I would continue my walk knowing that if she didn’t catch up to me on the trail then she would be waiting at the car when I returned.

She always came back.  Oh were there a few times when a thrilling adventure took her longer than she should and I would get anxious and worried and look but she always came back, head hung knowing she might get a spanking.. (Then a loving)

She was a wonderful watchdog, the Chow in her made sure she only barked when necessary so she was a quiet girl.  She had a doggie door and could come and go as she pleased and she preferred to be outdoors protecting our yard from furry critters

She had a “Yuppie Puppy treat machine” that she was a wiz at…a gum ball machine gadget with a fake bone that she pushed and treats came out!

She traveled everywhere with me and was a great traveling companion, always ready for an adventure, quiet so readily accepted anywhere.  Five years ago we went out West, Montana, and Wyoming and stayed at motels and the ranch and where ever we went she became the “mascot”  She was a welcome guest at friends, even over night.

She would wait patiently for me in the car if necessary. We went everywhere together, even for short errands rides because we just wanted to be together.  She would poke her nose out the window to catch all those great smells!  At times, when stopped at a light I would see the driver of the car next to ours looking over at her sitting up so straight, and they would have big smiles, she made such a pretty delightful picture!

She loved to put her head down and to the side and stick her bottom up in the air for a good scratch she did a thousand adorable things that made me laugh, gave me joy, endeared me to her, and made me fall deeper in love.

I was so blessed to be her mom for over 15 years, to know that kind of love. My friend Kevin said, “The only time they hurt you is when they die”

And it’s true

— Joan from Holt, MI

My wonderful furry faced friend, companion and partner, Malnar is dying.

I’m so beyond bummed. I’ve really struggled with it since learning of his prognosis on Friday.

I do know – no matter the intensity of the pain and grief right now – I would not trade that pain for any of the joy during the time we had together. I guess that is one of the learning points we gain thru life. Some get it – some don’t.

So I decided I was going to give Malnar whatever he wanted during these last days together. And for the most part, I soon realized I was giving him what I gave him every day. Which has made me a little less regretful.

Though I will admit – I can’t pass him without trying for a tummy rub. And on some days in the past – I have walked past that tummy so delightfully displayed for my review. I am annoying him. I’ve spent a couple of nights on the floor with him, rubbing his tummy until I fall asleep. Usually he gives a sigh and moves away, giving me the “enough already”.

Today though – today – I have a goofy smile on my face. I broke the rules (gladly) and I usually don’t break the rules.

Today I took Malnar on an unauthorized ride-a-long. Burt had to go to work at 9pm. I had asked to leave early at 9p so if anything happens – one of us will be there. I didn’t want Malnar to be alone an hour. Burt dropped him off with me. You should have seen his face when he realized he was going to work with me again!!!

His face just lit up and he jumped into the squad as if it had been yesterday instead of years ago. We backed up an officer, we did a traffic stop, we did a building check and we patroled thru the neighborhoods. He was LOVING it! It was a short time, but the right amount of time. He wasn’t comfortable in the front seat and was ready to call it quits at the end of our shift.

Talk about fulfilling a K9 Make-a-Wish.

We’re at home now. He had his dinner and is resting.

I have to make sure I let Blake know how important it was that he laid Malnar’s last track. The day I realized something was wrong – I had Blake lay a track for him. And as 12-year old boy’s are want to do – he didn’t follow the instructions.

Malnar came out – started the track – and headed the “wrong” direction. I started to explain to Burt about where the track was supposed to go – and he said the words so many of us have heard so many times – “trust your dog”. And so I did. And Malnar followed Blake’s track perfectly.

Anyway – thought I would let you know about me being bad. A really good night.

— Burton in Kirkland, IL

Where does someone begin to open up the amount of hurt, loss & pain one feels when having to go through things like this. My “Big Boy” Rudolph Valentino Cinderspots, known to us as “Rudy” is leaving us today.

Rudy is a 13yo purebred Dalmation. We were lucky enough to get Rudy at the age of 6 months. The breeder was having problems finding a home for, and frankly everyone else’s loss was our gain. Dal’s as a breed get a bad rap, as mean, hyper sometime bitey dogs. Not our Mr. Rudy.

He was the sweetest dog I have owned in my 51 years on this planet. The love he shared EVERYDAY, unconditionally, will never be forgotten, and will be tough to replace. He loved everyone, and everything, especially his (our) kids. He was a protector to the end, and would always place himself between Family and strangers when the situation arose. He would do this out of pure instinct. But he never had a bad word for anyone.

For a dog of his size and breed, people tell me I am lucky to have gotten 13 years with Rudy. But frankly, I am greedy, and wanted more. While I am distraught over what I have to do today. His time has come, and I will not see him suffer any additional days in his current state.

Rudy developed bladder stones about 5 weeks ago, and even though I felt in the back of my mind that he was too old to endure surgery, we do what we do in these situations. He came through the procedure, but was really never the same again. His hips started going about a week ago, and his appetite is now gone as well…..It is heartbreaking to have to see him like this, and I know in my heart that I am doing the right thing.

My 19 yo Son is holding him right now, really his dog when you come down to it….He is much stronger than me at this time, perhaps it is because of the amount of time I spent at home with Rudy having a home office…..

My heart goes out to any and all who have lost a loved pet. I know you feel, and understand our pain & loss.

Thank you Mark for allowing us to share our losses, and grieve publically. Perhaps it will help others going through the same pain.

— Win from Woodinville, WA

I requested your book as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago but it took me until yesterday to read it. It just so happened to make the perfect read while flying alone from Cancun to Cincinnati. (Although I am sure some people thought I was a little crazy as I sat there with tears flowing!)

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I too had a Spritey in my life that I will never forget. I have loved all the dogs in my life but Sprite was different, so very, very special.

In October, 1989, my son and I decided to visit an Animal Rescue Shelter to find a companion for our Kelsey, a Yorkshire Terrier, who was 3 years old and we had since she was 8 weeks. As my son (almost 13 at the time) walked through peering into cages, I happened to walk into the Office. I looked down to see a little dog all curled up in a basket by the fireplace. When she looked up at me, I could see so much sadness in here big beautiful eyes. I knew immediately she was the one for me!

I called out to my son to hurry and look and he too felt so sorry for her. The woman at the shelter told us that she had just been found a few days before, completely malnourished. She had no hair on her body, had recently given birth in the wild (no puppies were found) and was attacked by another dog that ripped her leg wide open! So there she lay, no hair, stitches in her belly from just being spayed, and stitches in her leg that had been sewn up. The Vet estimated her to be only between 1-2 years even though she looked as if she was 15. They named her Sprite because they too were on soda names but also because they thought she looked like an elf!

We came back the next weekend with our dog Kelsey to visit and on that day, Halloween, 1989, we took Sprite home with us! My husband, who was out of town but knew we were \”dog shopping\” came home the next day and he first said \”What is that? I thought you were getting a dog!\”

The first few days, Sprite would snuggle on our laps but did not explore or play. Then, after about 3 days of love, all of the sudden she stared spinning! She would just spin round and round with excitement whenever we talked to her and she and Kelsey became fast friends and companions. Sprite\’s hair grew in and she had these funny ears with long hair that made them looked like butterflies.

I think what made her so very special was the fact that she greeted us everyday and you knew she was saying \”thank you so much for rescuing me and loving me\”. You could just see it in her expression.

Just before Christmas in 1999, my almost 25 year marriage was breaking up and we were going through some tough times. My son was at home during the off-season from baseball and my eventual daughter-in-law was visiting. They went out that evening, arrived home late and were greeted by Sprite and Kelsey as usual. The next morning, Brian was standing at the refrigerator when Spritey walked in looked up at him as if to say goodbye, started shaking then made her way to my lap in the Family Room, looked up at me with one last thank-you and just died in my arms. Our Kelsey died of heart failure, probably a broken heart, just a month later.

I think of her often and I know my son does too. He is as big a dog lover as I am. I know have a very special and loving Yorkie named Lexi and a beautiful \”grand dog\”, a Golden Retriever named Mandy. Lexi weighs under 4 lbs and Mandy weighs about 85 lbs but they are very good friends and love to visit each other and both dogs are terrific with my three young grandsons.

I will never forget any of my dogs but most of all our Spritey. And even though the pain of their loss can be unbearable, I will also never be without the most loving companion anyone could ever ask for. Today, I have Lexi and when she lays her head against me chest and looks up at me, all you feel is pure, genuine love!

— Cathy from Lebanon, OH