First, Mark, I would like to thank you for all you do.

For about 11 years, I was president of a no-kill cat sanctuary. I have just about seen it all. One day, we received a phone call about a dire situation for a cat whose owners “moved and left her behind”. So, I dropped what I was doing and rushed to the cat’s neighborhood that was only about 10 minutes away. There was “Peppy”, famished, cold and starving for attention. Well, I decided to bring her home and there she enjoyed her life for about 6 years. She was estimated to be around 7-8 yrs when she was rescued. One day, Peppy began having trouble breathing and a trip to the vet gave me the bad news that Peppy had a growth by her lung and in all likelihood, it was cancer. So when even the lasix was not working any more, I could not stand to see my friend struggling to breathe. It was time for that last vet visit and as I placed her on the exam table, Peppy refused to lay down. Instead she sat upright, held her head up and, she met my eyes with hers. Mark, she never budged, even as the vet found the vein and gave her the shot that would relieve her suffering. Doc said in all her years, she has never witnessed anything like that. I would like to think that Peppy was perhaps thanking me, as I am forever grateful to her for the joy and love she gave me.

Thanks for listening.

Angela from NY

On June of 1988 my mother brought home the cuties puppy she was a Boston Terrier she was to be a gift for my Aunt Toni who lived in New Jersey. My Aunt was going to come and get her but could not make it for a little while so we were going to take care of her till she came. We Named her Jazzy cause she was always so hipper. Me and her back very close i took care of her taking her out feeding her cleaning up after her. Oh and playing she loved to play. My Aunt called about the time she was supposed to come and get her. Jazzy had been with us for a year now. She said that she had decided to let me have her since she was not going to come and since Jazzy had spent most of the time with me. Little did i know that it would be the start of the best friend that I would ever have. She out lasted all my old boy friends. My jobs and most of my friends. She was very smart and very loving. About 3 yrs ago i met My husband and she did not take well to that since we had been together just her and I she never had to share me and that was hard for her to get use to. She was well jealous of my husband Ed. In 2006 Jazzy went blind and I was carrying her around she got to know the furniture pretty well I always felt bad when I had to leave her to go to work. In 2007 I looked at my Beautiful Jazzy and said to her you got old on me she was now limping cause she had a lump on her front leg so I carried her around I took her to the vet and he said that she had cancer and that he didn’t give her long.  So We kept her over Christmas and I had quite my job so that I could be home with her I took a picture of her under the tree. In the picture she looks like she is smiling and happy. It was like it was her gift to me. On June 28th 2008 at around 12.00pm i Had to say Good By to my Friend she would not go on her own so we had to help her. I did feel guilty and so when I read marks book I understood the feeling of guilt told her that I loved her and that I would see her again. Read the rest of this entry »

My love for rescued dogs started at a young age. We adopted an adorable Shepard Mix named Toby and instantly were in love. It quickly became obvious that she was not in good health. The vet told us that Toby had distemper, and told us not to get too attached. Of course it was too late for that. After many long months nursing Toby back to health, Toby made a turn fot the better. Her entire life was spent with half the lung capacity of a “normal dog” and her wheezened breathing came to be a constant sound in our house. Toby lived to be 10 years old and her death was tramatic to the entire family. We all adored Toby. I have since married and adopted two pound pups of my own. Peyton, a border collie/Chow mix that we got as a puppy and Cooper, a retriever/Chow mix that had been adopted and returned a year later. He still does as Sprite does, tucks his head when you go to pet him, even though he was gotten nothing but hugs and pets for the past two years. It breaks my heart to think of the treatment he got before coming to live with us as he is a wonderful dog. They both are the best dogs any owner could ask for, and I hope that someday my own children will have a soft spot in their hearts for those dogs most in need of a caring and kind owner. I love how you say that in the end we are the lucky ones b/c it is so true. The unconditional love that these little furry wonders grant us is a true inspiration to us all.

Molly from NC

Mark,

Thank you for sharing your story and for sharing this corner with us.

My world turned upside down today. Our Brussels Griffon, WIckett, passed away this morning.

He was attacked by a Lab this past Friday (his 3 year birthday). He held on until today, and the doctors seemed to think he was going to be ok.

Unfortunately, he took a turn for the worse this morning and left us.

I am so thankful for the three short years we had with WIckett. He brought my wife and I more joy than any pet we have ever had the privilege of owning. He was the sweetest dog in the world. He loved everybody- and in his eyes the only reason people came around was to see him and let him love on them.

My wife and I are both brokenhearted at his passing. There are so many little things we took for granted- the greetings after work, the good morning kisses…

He is no longer with us in body, but will always be a part of our lives.

Rest in Peace Wickett. We love you and will never forget the joy you brought us.

Mike from TN

We are still weepy after puting our beloved golden retriever to sleep two weeks ago. He was almost 15 and had cancer. An unbelievable dog who smiled, and who would do whatever you asked of him. So trusting until the end. I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful pet.

Susan from NY