Jenni came into my life in April 2012. She had been picked up as a stray in our county and taken to a local vet clinic, as we have no animal shelter. I volunteer for our county animal rescue group and had recently lost my elderly dog Jacob to lymphoma. Other volunteers noticed Jenni’s similarity to Jacob and asked me if I would consider fostering Jenni. While not quite ready to adopt another dog, I met Jenni, fell in love, and adopted her after a week.

When Jenni was first picked up she suffered from massive infections and maggots in both ears. She is now deaf. Her extremely long coat was so matted and dirty there was mold growing in it and the only way to help her was to shave her down completely.

At first we thought Jenni was a mix but after a doggy DNA test we learned she is a full-blooded Alaskan Malamute. She is unusually large at 100 lbs. and her long coat makes her a “wooly” malamute.

Jenni loves people, gets along with cats, and has become a minor celebrity around town as she is such a big and beautiful girl. Her deafness doesn’t stop her and her coat has grown back in magnificently. Jenni is a big presence in my life in many ways!

— Annie from Monticello, IA

Coco, my Cairn Terrier (cream color)came into our home in 1999 after my husband had a stroke that left his right side paralyzed. She was just 10 weeks old.

She became mommy’s little girl from the first day we drove to pick her up. She has been by my side thru all the bad times and the good times. Every night since she was old enough she has curled up in my stomach area or the crook of my back in bed She would wait outside the bathroom door every night when I took a shower and in the mornings she would come in the bathroom and lay down on the rug till I was ready for work. Every evening after work I would pull up into my drive way and she would know I was home and would start screaming her high pitch voice.

We have two other Cairns, Tony who is 11 years old and has a bad pancreas and diabetes and is on insulin. Kandy is our youngest who is still healthy.

Well, this weekend I had to put my beloved Coco to rest. Two years ago they found anal cancer and she went thru chemotherapy successfully. They said it would give her another two years and it did. About 3 weeks ago she had an ultrasound done and the vet found a tumor in the lower stomach area (where the food is suppose to flow thru. It was almost blocked. So we took what I called the hospice route (prescription blended food and water) At the time they diagnosed her, they gave her 6 months. That was not meant to be

On the morning of February 2nd she became very ill and could not keep her food or water down. I prayed to God to give me the strength to let her go. It was time.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I stayed with her for about an hour after she passed not wanting to let go, crying and whispering into her ear. Last week I had taken her for a spa treatment. Her hair and nails were cut and she was bathed and her pads were soften by some lotion. She had her peach colored sweater on  and she looked beautiful and peaceful  when she passed. It was very peaceful for her but I wanted to die so I could be with her. For 3 days now my husband and my remaing two dogs have been so depressed. I could only cope by taking a prescription and staying in bed for 2 days. I could barely go back to work today.  I have a hole in my heart and the dynamics of the home have changed forever. There is no more high pitch voice, no one outside the bathroom waiting for me and what hurts the most is no one there at night nuzzled up against me. I feel like a part of me died with her. I can only hope that I can get thru this. I need the strength to deal with my Tony when it is his time. I ask God only to allow me some time in between to give me time to recover. I love my special baby girl and miss her. She has given me unconditional love and I to her. My baby is gone and I am lost but need to help my other dogs overcome their depression. So it’s more love for them and lots of walks to help them to become whole again.  Coco was the dominant dog and my Kandy followed her around and learned everything from her. Now she is lost too. We will all find our way back with the help of God.

— Kathleen from Phoenix, AZ

I want to share the story of the late “Bonnie Richardson” with the fans of this page.  Bonnie was a beautiful Jack Russell Terrier that I bought from a breeder when she was just 11 weeks old.  At that tender age, Bonnie had already experienced abuse.  Sadly, in the 15 years that Bonnie lived, she never got over the emotional trauma.  She could not relax and just enjoy the love that my husband and I so desperately wanted to give her.  She was a biter and a fighter.  My vet encouraged me to euthanize her but I refused.  I loved her all the more because she need care and undrestanding, not to be put to death.  On September 19, 2012, due to old age and multiple health problems, I had to help Bonnie cross over the Rainbow bridge.  Part of my heart left with her, I miss her so very much.  I don’t have human children.  Bonnie was my needy, crazy child for 15 years and I wouldn’t change a day of that experience. RIP my sweet Bonnie.

— Debbie from Jonesborough, TN

My Beloved Dog Eddy
I was listening to Glenn Beck weep about putting having to have his dog put down today. It reminded me of three Decembers ago when I had to put down my beloved Eddy. He was a huge part Lab part Newfoundland and he was 13. He was my faithful, loyal protector and friend for 12 years. I acutually rescued him from my former workplace and had the police come to my office about it, When they heard the whole story, he was mine to keep until that day he could no longer stand or walk. He had a beautiful death, He LOVED snow, eating snow, doing dog angels in the snow. When the time came for him, I asked the vet tech to go get a bucket of snow, We dumped it on top of him and I rubbed his nose in it, He was eating it and so enjoying the cold snow. I put his head on my shoulder as the shot was given, and he went to dog heaven. I am convinced he willl be waiting for me. Although very sad, the next day I was relieved and knew I had done the right thing. He was loved and well take care of, as he loved me and took care of me. I now am the mother of the daschund I rescued, Hoover, I had him while I still had Eddy, and I will someday rescue another loyal friend. I was never a big dog lover, but Eddy was the dog that taught me how and why we love them.

— Patricia from St. Paul, MN

Well, I didn’t plan on having a dog, but this one was special.  Nobody wanted him, he was in a pound in Kansas, was adopted by a friend who couldn’t keep him, and I couldn’t let this guy go back to the pound.  He is too wonderful, I can’t describe how friendly and loving and protective he is.  No words.  He is my best friend, for life, and I feel I have been blessed.  His name is Punkin and I really don’t know how old he is.

— Vince from Sandia, NM

On June 28, 2010, I adopted a sweet 3 year old angel in a tuxedo – Louie Reese.  In 4 years.. we’d gone from a 4 cat house down to one heartbroken kitty.  Scott Joplin had lost him mama Lucy very suddenly 3 weeks earlier to an illness I was unaware she had.. and we were desolate without her and our 2 other kitties who were lost in the previous years.. Scottie needed a brother and friend.  I was compelled to go to the humane society and after a brief search found our angel.. Louie was 3 years old and had been there for 5 months.. He has healed and charmed and loved his way into our hearts and although it took Scottie awhile.. they are now the best of friends.  Louie was God’s beautiful gift to us..

— Laurie from Traverse City, MI