My beagle is ten years old. His name is Beau. He is such a great companion, family member, and guard. The story of the beginning life is unknown since he was about 6 years old when he came into mine. I found Beau at the local pound around Thanksgiving. The city pound had caught fire and the animals were placed into a facility that was extremely small and could only hold about 15 animals. Beau was in a cage on the floor in the corner. His eyes were full of sadness and you could see that his heart was broken. One look at those eyes and I convinced my mom to let me adopt him. The next day my mom called the pound and she told them that she was coming to adopt him just as they were loading him into a truck to be euthanized. His life was saved and that afternoon he was in our home exploring the new smells and becoming acquainted with our cat, Rosie. Now Beau was an older dog that was set in his ways. He was stubborn and grumpy. But despite his moodiness the love he has for his family is so evident. He is always on guard. He is always so thrilled when we arrive home from school or work. He always loves a good walk with a scent for his nose to trail. Today we took him to the vet because a little nodule has appeared on him. The vet confirmed that it is a tumor however, it is not known if it is cancerous. I pray to God that’s not. But if it is, I know that everyday he spends with us, he knows he loved. He is happy and not afraid of anything. A quote from Abe Lincoln goes, “It’s not the number of years lived that count. It’s life that inside those years that matters.” As of right now I don’t what God has planned for Beau. But everyday God keeps him with me, I am grateful and will give him even more love than from the day before.

– Courteney from Mansfiled, TX

My brother suggested I read your book. I appreciate you sharing your wonderful dogs, Pepsi and Sprite, with your fellow dog lovers. I can relate wholeheartedly to your words and emotions.

Between 2006 and 2009, my husband and I lost our three dogs; Charlie, a six-year old red nosed pit bull that we rescued, was diagnosed with cancer with no warning. We put him down during Easter 2007. Nine months later, my precious eight-year old Sasha Sweetpea collapsed suddenly. There was nothing they could do. She was bleeding internally. Once again, we left the vet’s office with a leash and collar. This past June, our 11.5 year old yellow lab, Hoss, succumbed to a heart ailment which caused his body to overheat. We rushed him to the vet and tried desperately to save him, but we knew we couldn’t. Each of the above events shook me and I felt a pain like I’ve never felt in my life.

We were known in town for our three big dogs who we lived our life around; who ruled the house; slept on our bed (we slept with them since they took up most of the bed); and brought so much hectic joy into our lives. Each of them so unique and special. I have each of their ashes on a special table my husband made in my home office surrounded by their photos and their collars. I do feel that they are with us.

Since losing Charlie in 2007, I spent many, many hours on petfinder.com just looking; this was my therapy. When Sasha passed suddenly 9 months later, I didn’t think I could make it through, but I did. And then losing Hoss was too much. However, this past August, a dog on petfinder.com FOUND ME. I drove to Durant OK from Keller TX and adopted him. He was a mess; fleas, ticks, dermatitus, two types of worms, malnourished, but despite his physical condition, he was and is the sweetest, most gentle, lovable, huggable, snuggable, good-natured dog, EXACTLY as you described Sprite. We named him Dexter Doodle. Almost immediately, we realized that he needed a sibling. This time, petfinder.com had a dog who was right here in Keller. I went to see if he’d be a good fit and knew instantly that I had found Dexter’s brother. I adopted who we named Buddy (Dexter’s little buddy) on the spot and drove home. I put Buddy outside and said to Dexter, “I have a surprise for you.” I let Dexter out and I kid you not, after one sniff, they were off and running. Again, their acceptance and bond and love for each other is exactly how you described Pepsi and Sprite’s relationship. I was not able to have children so my dogs are my babies. I would do anything for them that would be for their benefit, not mine.

All of our dogs, Charlie, Sasha Sweetpea, Hoss, Dexter and Buddy, have captured our hearts and brought us such joy, laughs, warmth that only a dog can; they’ve taught us what unconditional love truly is. I cherish every single memory of the loved ones we’ve lost and the ones we have now do not replace them. Your story reminded me of how precious time is with our pets. Thank you and your family for sharing your joy and anguish. I hope Pepsi and Griffen are doing well. I’m sure Sprite approves. I know Charlie, Sasha and Hoss are happy that we found Dexter and Buddy.

– Debora from Keller, TX

Your love of dogs and your unabashed dialogue about them on your show makes me proud that you have the platform to help direct, guide, or just wake up the ones that have lost their way. So many seem to have, but this is about my best friend, my Labrador, Sam. I am 70 years old and have had dogs all my life, some ordinary some extra-ordinary, all of them wonderful, but Sam . . Sam was a cut above all the others. Sam would have been 13 last Feb 2010. Dogs, some more than others, have the ability to be empathetic with their human friend. They give amazing comfort to patients in hospitals, they can (while you watch), lower your blood pressure, their bond to you is truly unconditional.

When a dog is 12 years old, getting up is more difficult, everything they do is slower as it is with us. You know in your mind and heart that some day they won’t be with you anymore. You don’t really think about the end because most times you have to make the decision to end their life. If you’re lucky you only have to actively think about that once, and you do it and he’s gone and pain free, but somehow the pain lingers in you. Even months or years in the future recalling the details of that day bring tears.

A few months ago my wife sent me an email at work. It said, “Urgent, call me about Sam”! All I could think of is, “Oh no, it’s too soon”. When I called, my son-in-law had just brought him back from the Vet with the news you don’t want to hear. Even with several operations and buckets of medications he might have 1 or 2 months to live.

The next day he couldn’t even stand up without help and the following day I had to hold him up so he could go outside. If I let go he would just crumble to the ground. It took several days to find a Vet that would come to the house (for less than $1000) and that was plus the injections plus the assistant and plus transport to a pet cemetery. I finally did find one and Sam died in my arms licking my hand.

I was listening to your show driving home from work and you had two gentlemen on that had put their “best friends” to sleep. I was going to call but I knew that I would have been too choked up to communicate well so I am sending this to your website instead. Keep up your wonderful work.

– Richard from North Hills, CA

When I first found Bear he was three months old and no body had chosen to take him home from the Oakland pound because they thought he had pit bull in him. Boy, was that a mistake. We named him Bear because as a puppy, when you rubbed his tummy, he would make sounds like a baby grizzly. He turned out to be an extremely hansom ninety pound shepherd lab mix with the disposition of the sweetest American mutt you could ever meet in your life. He loved us and we loved him for thirteen years.

I can’t remember a Christmas that he didn’t find his present under the tree first and when Bear was neurotic at times and suffered from separation anxiety as he got older. He loved to play tug of war, tormented our cat for fun and so loved his walks and cookies.

For you dog lovers, you know that thirteen is a long and happy life for a large breed.
When he decided it was time to go yesterday morning, he came to my bedside in distress and told me that he was ready.

He made it to the emergency veterinarian in time to be provided with some relief, we said goodbye and stayed with him until his great and loving heart stopped beating.

He was my best friend and the first dog I owned and raised as an adult. I will never forget him or the love he brought to my family and me.

“Dog’s are lucky, they get to see, love and touch their God every day”

I don’t know where I heard that, but Bear greeted us after work every day with an exuberation and true love that most humans can never aspire to.

I’ll miss you buddy.

– Tom from Concord, CA

I am a dog lover I have had many dogs growing up. I had a dog named Teddy, pure breed German Shepherd. We got him from a friend when he was six weeks old. He was the cutest of the bunch just like a little teddy bear. Teddy was the family dog. No one could harm the family. All my friends loved him and he loved them. Teddy loved to play in the snow. When he would see it snowing outside he would whine to go out an play. When I had my daughter he was jealous of her but very over protective of her at the same time. When she was little my daughter would share her snacks with Teddy. He would take them from her very softly. Teddy would sleep at the foot of my bed at nights and would even want the covers on him. He was alert to everything. He would not go to sleep at night until the last person arrived home from work or hanging out. He knew the sound our keys made when walking up the stairs to our building.

Your book reminds me so much of my dog that I cried the whole time that I read it. I couldn’t take it to work and read on the train because of that. Teddy had to be put to sleep because he had bad arthritis in his hind legs and a tumor on his front leg an whenever anyone would try an help him he snapped especially at my daughter. I couldn’t bare to see my beloved dog in so much pain when I remember him very playful and happy. It was the saddest day when I had to put him to sleep almost 4yrs ago. I think his spirit wanders that house at times to make sure everyone is safe at home.

– Ann from Brooklyn, NY

Millie is the dog that nobody wanted; her owner had a 2-year-old child; a 4-year-old child; and was pregnant. For Christmas of 1999, they got a border collie puppy, beautiful chestnut color. When I first saw her, she was a 16-month-old big, gallumping puppy who had run a path raw around the yard in her owner’s back yard. They GAVE her to us–along with her crate, her ball, her tie-out stake (which I threw away). My other dog, who had been with us since he was 8 weeks old and was now three years old, went and crawled under the dashboard to get away from her. She was AWFUL. No manners at all. She pulled drapes off the sliding glass doors–twice. She stole food from the table. My cat lived behind the dresser for three months. (“Is she good with cats?” “Oh, yes, she’s fine.” They really did want her to go). Everyone thought she was beautiful; everyone was appalled at her behavior. Nobody wanted her! But, she was so sweet. I worked with her–taught her that “Millie, come!” did not mean, “turn and run as fast as you can.” She learned to sit to be petted. She works a room like a politician–going from one person to another to get a pat on the head.

Millie is now ten years old, and she is certified as a therapy dog and a service dog. She is a service dog for me, as I had a bad foot injury as a result of aftercare of plain old bunion surgery. Tomorrow she has a surgery of her own to remove a mass from her abdomen. It tested benign, and I pray the tests are right. I know that I have fewer years left with her than I have had already, but I pray that there are many more ahead. She is my heart. The dog nobody wanted is now the dog about whom everyone says, “I wish MY dog behaved like that.” Literally, people stop their cars, get out, and ask how we get our dogs to behave so well.

There are no bad dogs, I know. But, Millie is my heart–and I love her. Because she knows you can lose a home, I believe she appreciates the home she found. Everyone should be so fortunate as to have a dog like Millie at least once in their life.

— Jana from Raleigh, NC