We have had several rescue dogs. The first was a solid black German Shepherd. She grew up to be the most amazing dog ever. We loved her so much but at the age of 10 she had hip dysplasia so bad that she couldn’t walk so it was time to make that horrible decision. We got to pick the time and we wanted to be with her til the end. When she was injected she looked at me with those loving eyes with a look I will take to my grave. I have never had anything hurt so bad in my life. We had her cremated as well as another rescue dog named Jake. I could not bear to leave her to be thrown on a garbage heap or whatever they do with them. Even though some may think it’s morbid but having their ashes seems to keep them close to me. I will spread them at some point but not right now. If anyone is considering getting a pet please check the rescue leagues and you will have more love than you’ve ever had.
IN MEMORY OF BEAR AND JAKE.

Suzy from MS

i read your book last night and had a hard cry. i love my puddyboy so much, he is a 10 year old springer spaniel and has been kind of sick lately. he has a harmone imbalance and has hotflashes and drinks tons of water and licks all the time. he is a little better becasue we share the same medications, flax seed oil for the hot flashes. he is getting a little better but he isn’t a puppy any more and that makes me sad.. we love him so much. he is our son.

Sue from WA

Christmas Eve, 1997, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, with surgery scheduled two weeks later. Mother, having already been ill for a few years, became critically ill the day after Christmas and was rushed to the hospital. She was put on life support and remained on it for 11 days. Dad’s doctors decided to postpone his surgery until it was determined if mother would survive or not. She did survive that bout and dad had his surgery. Over the next three years, my dad was in and out of the hospital with multiple complications and surgeries. Mother couldn’t be alone at home and I couldn’t be in two places at once. I had no choice but to put mother in a nursing home for a while.

My home was over 200 miles away, so I was gone from home for weeks at a time. Most of the time I took my two little dogs with me on these trips. Peachy was a female Maltese/Pom mix and her little son, Fritzy, was a red Pom. They were such good company for me and the residents at the nursing home loved their visits.
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About 7 years ago, my family and I rescued Sophie, a beautiful german shepherd, from the local animal shelter. She has been a wonderful addition to our family and I can’t imagine life without her. I walk her in the morning when I get up and when I come home from work. She never barks at anyone and gets along great with the children. She is a gentle soul.

We had also adopted a cat about six years ago. His name was Cody. My son was playing football and one of the other mothers came up to us and told us that her mother has passed away and she had three cats that they didn’t know what to do with. We took in Cody, a pure bred himilayan cat. I have never known a cat like him – you’d have sworn he was a dog. Every day when I came home from work, he was there at the door to greet me. He came running when you called his name. When it was time to put the kids to bed, he would cuddle up next to each one of them until they fell asleep and then he would move on to the next – he was a busy cat too, because I have four children. Then, after they were all asleep, he would come in our room and lay in between my wife and me at our feet. My grandmother, who HATED cats, loved Cody and didn’t mind him sitting next to her when she came to visit. He was a valued member of our family. He even knew when we were sick and would just lay there next to us to comfort us.
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My husband works for the post office and on one March evening in 2004 he called me from work and asked if I would speak to a co-worker of his regarding a dog. We already had 3 dogs, so my husband was a bit scared to ask me himself. His co-worker told me that his elderly neighbor had recently died and had a dog. Apparently the deceased owner was found about 2 days after his death with Rascal (greyhound/lab mix) by his side. The man’s son, while taking care of his estate would come by daily for about 10 minutes and walk Rascal, but eventfully would be taking him to the shelter. Mikey(co-worker) took the dog home, but was not able to care for him either. He knew my husband and I loved dogs and asked if we would take Rascal.
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Mr Kitty was 11 1/2 yrs old when he died at home with his people. Mr kitty was the best friend and helper of our family. Mr Kitty will be missed by both of us but especially his Dad – John has heart and other problems so Mr. Kitty was his best friend!

John from MD