My cat came to me the hard way. I came home from work in ’96 on friday and when I exited
the car I could hear crying. I thought it sounded like a baby.

Well under the steps of the porch was this tiny kitten. I tried to capture her for the whole weekend, unsuccessfully. I gave up. Monday morning on my way to get into my car, to go to wotk work, she was under the hood where I captured her grease and all. I call her my throw away kitty. Sombody dumped her at my house. She was so small I could hold in one hand.

Donald from IL

My wife and I have been married for 16 years. We have had a wonderful companion, a Weimareiner, for 15 of those years. Our dog died 3 weeks this Sunday. She was absolutely wonderful and a delightful companion. We are so incredibly sad over her death. Our other dog has been unusually despondent and developed new medical problems.
I hated losing our loving dog. This was one of the worst days of our lives….
Sigh,

Shawn from TX

Hi Mark

Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your book – not finished it yet! I only read a little at a time to make it last longer! Anyway, being a dog lover and owner I would like to thank you for sharing your story, I wish I could have met Sprite, what a wonderful friend! My best friend is called Ozzy, and whilst reading your book he cuddles up next to me.  For three nights running I cried so much whilst reading and my little boy tried to lick away my tears! I know you must get thousands of stories and pictures from dog lovers so I wont go on too much, Ozzy is my fav topic of conversation! God bless you and your family (human and animal)

Kim from the UK

Cheyene, our beautiful, white, blue eyed wolf/mix came to us over 13 years ago, rescued from the steel jaws of a trap by a friend of ours. Her first year with us was what I term, antisocial in that she would den up under the benches of our dining room table during the day and only go out at night via the patio door we left open for her. Slowly she accepted and trusted us and became our “baby girl” as we so lovingly called her.

Over the years there developed such a strong bond and mutual love between her, my wife Kathy and myself. She never really tolerated touching by strangers until the last couple of years. She was beginning to get severly arthritic in her hips, at times barely able to get up and moving, had pretty much lost her hearing and was beginning to lose her sight when on that fateful saturday, ( Nov. 17, 2008) she was hit by a car and broke her back leg. My wife and I , fighting our unwillingness to let go of her made the decision it was time for her to be at rest. It was late on Saturday evening when this all took place and the only place we could find open was the Animal Emergency Clinic in Maumelle, AR ( 501-224-3784) which is about 30 miles from where we live.

We put Cheyenne in the back of our van and I drove her to the clinic. Upon arriving, I went in and explaining her condition and what had happened I asked if they could come out to the van and put her to sleep so she would not have to experience the pain of being moved. They advised that they could not do this and asked if I would like to be with her when they put her to sleep. I told them I would and they advised that there would be an additional $50.00 charge for me to be with her. I was enraged, to say the least and I determined i would not give in to this “emotional robbery”.

I sat out in the van, comforting Cheye as much as I could until they came and got her. She now rests peacefully in our back yard beside “Stink”, “Bear Cat”, “Destiny” and “Little Girl”,
Why, for some people does it always have to be about the money.

Walter from AR

There is my Baxter the Boxer.. a rescue I got 2 years ago at the appox age of 6 weeks. He has a broken leg and we believe that it was the breeder who took him to the Vet. When the vet found his leg broken they wanted him put to sleep and she refused. When she refused the owner requested him back so he could do it himself… she REFUSED.
The vet tech there at the time said he would take him home and nurse him back to the point he could be adopted.. which is where I came in:) I was there for an appointment one Sunday afternoon and fell in love with the pup on first site. By 8 am the next morning I called and said I wanted him, spent the day acquiring the necessary puppy stuff and picked him up at 4pm.
He has been a blessing to me as I lost my 14 year old dalmatian which I affectionately referred to as my best girlfriend one week before Christmas last year. She also being a rescue I would highly recommend you never bring a dog or cat in to your home unless you go to the local shelters and adoption agencies.

2 months ago I joined Boxer Luv Rescue and now am a proud foster Mom. Last week we successfully raised $2500 for eye surgery for one of our new wiggly butt babies who has parasites in his eyes and needed extensive eye surgery. If you ever think the world is a cruel place just hook up with dog lovers and volunteer to help the much needed babies. You will change your mind about the world we live in..

Gloria from AZ