Hello – I found Caesar online and adopted him from the Humane Society when he was 3 yrs old after the death of his elderly owner.  We started training at PetSmart so I would know the type of pack leader he needed. Unfortunately, he wasn’t socialized and it took about a year for him to settle into my home. He’s a strong alpha male but after much consistent work and research he’s happier and so is the household. He’s an intelligent, high-energy dog and has a dog walker 3 days per week. Daily, we’re still  working on his behavior but he’s made a lot of progress and I’m proud of him!  His favorite buddy is a black cat “Missy” who takes walks with us through the neighborhood. I love it when I can take him to the baseball park where he can freely run by himself with a huge smile on his face! He’s a happy boy and I love him!

— Peggy from Puyallup, WA

In memory of my best friend, Wylie who was put down this morning. We adopted him some 12 or 13 years ago from the shelter. He had been abused, had a wired jaw from a hard hit to the snout when we picked him up – forever giving him that Elvis-like smile. It took some time for him to open up to us, but he did, and he was the most fun and loyal dog. I loved him, I’ll miss him. And anyone who knew him, I’m sure feels the same.

— Gregory from Springfield, VA

My husband and I have been married for 23 years with no kids; we have owned two toy poodles, one passed at the age of 9, in 1989 and the other just recently on March 15, 2013.  I am the youngest of 9 and the only one with no children.  My siblings have always teased me, in a good way, of how my dogs were my children, they just had no clue.  I want to speak of my last dog, Peitro Romanus Bangs, Jr, aka, PJ.  He was born on May 3, 1989. As you may know he was our baby and the best friend we could have had.

PJ passed on March 15, 2013 and it was one of the hardest times of my life.  I wrote his obituary for Trap and Field on day 2 to help me cope, and also entered him to the Rainbow Bridge.  Then something hit me on day 8 of his passing; I remembered the book my brother gave me, “Rescuing Sprite”.  I went right to it, like I knew where it was all the time.  It was a Sunday and I read the entire book in one day.  I cried a lot but enjoyed it tremendously. I am not sure if my brother read it or not, and I can only assume he heard about it from Rush Limbaugh and/or your talk shows.  I had not heard of the book nor did I really know about it; but had an idea of how it was going to end up.  I must say reading it now; I am so grateful that I did NOT read it a year and a half ago.  There are so many similarities with PJ, Pepsi and Sprite it’s almost crazy. Pepsi and PJ were born the same year.

Mark you sure are right when you say people who have never owned a Dog, they just don’t not understand.

You said people tell those who lost a family member of the fur kind, “that you gave him the best life” but in reality “they gave us the best life”, you are so right, we are the lucky ones.

I decided to cremate PJ as I did not want to take the chance of losing him again if we should ever move, much like one of your listeners idea.  Like you, I miss everything about PJ, the mornings, coming home from work and missing his greetings, bedtime, our walks, chasing squirrels etc. Our every move they are there, finding toys, his blankets, clothes all over the house and in the vehicle’s, is really hard.

I thank you for your story and sharing your most precious moments with us.  Here is to all the animal lovers and rescuers in the world.

I will end with your best quote: “goldfish, turtles and hamster are pets, Dogs are family.

— Bernice from Laurel, MD

I would like to tell you about Kayla, our wonderfully loving collie/whippet mix who we had for 3 years before we had to put her to sleep 2 days before Christmas due to severe anemia. Right from the time we adopted her from the animal shelter, she was a very loving companion who loved to go for rides in cars and go for walks. As a matter of fact, “Ride” and “walk” were her two favorite words and she would get so excited at their mention. She hardly ever barked and was a loving companion who always waited for me to come home from work or come back from a trip. She’s waiting for us “at the bridge” to take her across when we pass on.

— John from Rocky River, OH

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