When our girls were little, I saw this little mixed dog at the humane society. I bought him w/o thinking, and took him home. we all loved him. He was smart, with a spirit. But after 12 or so years, his eye sight failed, he did not feel well, and we decided to put him down. We chose the Saturday of a 3 week-end, a choice we would later regret. As always he got into the.car trusting us completely.

We got to the vet at the apointed hour. I took him in; he sniffed around the waiting room, while we waited. They called our name and our little dog disappeared. We had decided to bury him at home. So minutes later, they brought our little friend out in a box. I remember he was still warm.

We took him home and sadly buried him.
Then we had the 3 day week-end to replay the action we had taken. A sad day!

Bernie from WA

I’ll admit right up front I may not belong here. That’s right, I’m a “cat person”. However, I love dogs as well and was greatly moved by clips I’ve readfrom Mark’s book. I know the wonderful feeling of saving a living being and the joy and heartbreak that comes with owning pets. As bad as the heartbreak can be, NOTHING can top the joy they bring you. I wrote a poem about my experiences rescuing cats, based on all the criticism I’ve received from many people who think I’m nuts. It may be about cats, but I hope you like it.

“Why I Do the Things I Do”

Very few people understand, why I do the things I do
But to me it’s just as natural, as breathing is to you

Why would I spend my last dollar to save a cat I just met today?
When nearly everybody else would turn and walk away
Read the rest of this entry »

I acquired Max several years ago. He was in the custody of my daughter’s ex’s family. They were moving and were going to put him down unless someone took him. Max had won my favors long before this so I was happy to take him home.
My oldest daughter got Max after she left the nest, got married and had her first child. Devin was born and a dog was acquired. Good plan. One morning when Devin was about three he got out of the house while his parents were still sleeping. Max tagged along with him. When they woke up and found him missing of course panic ensued! Police were called and neighbors helped look. Sometime later the police located Devin and Max several blocks away. Located was all they could do as Max would allow no one near Devin. Once mom and dad arrived Max stood down. He earned his keep for the remainder of his life that day… So now I look after Max as he cared for my grandson.

Andre from MN

Maxman and I met in a Petsmart in August 1995. The local pet rescue had an adoption day and I wanted and needed a dog. Me and Max were together for eleven years.

A bit about me…

From birth till my 32nd birthday I had twelve dogs. Until Max, not longer than two years and I never put one down… until Max. My dad was in the oil business (He worked for Mobil) and we moved often but never took the dog with us. After graduation from college I had a few dogs but always gave them away when I moved…. Until Max.

Their names were, Baby, Tiger, Sam, Suzie, Curly, Cindy, Hazel. Nutmeg, Annie, Reindeer, Blizzard, Keno and Bogart (Yes a Basset).

I was walking Max (he was called Marvin then) around Petsmart, seeing if he was friendly to others (he was) and trainable (he fooled me there). After fifteen minutes of walking around, I looked down at him and asked him “Do you want to go home?” He looked up at me and wagged his tail. I took this as a good omen until he pooped in the aisle. I spent eighty seven dollars that I didn’t have on Max. It was the best decision I ever made.

The first year together was a learning experience for both of us. Max learned not to drink my rum and coke, and I learned not to leave my $600 leather shoes on the floor. Max had separation anxiety and over the eleven years he cost me over $7000 in shoes, leather jackets and carpets. Worth every penny.

Max got me through every break up and every bad decision. I realized he didn’t care where we lived as long as we were together.

Max also had ear infections. He would get them every year or so and off we would go to the vet for meds and ear rinses. Until August of 2006.

Max was acting as he always did with an ear infection. He scratched, howled and made those sharp pain whelps in the middle of the night. After a trip to the vet and Max getting worse, I took him back to him. A sub vet was in and discovered that Max was deaf and blind. He explained to me that he was going insane.

I put Maxman, Max-a-million, Maxi-pad down on August 8, 2006. The last weekend we spent together, I had to put him in my car and drive away from my town home. I was up for 47 hours trying to make him feel better. I couldn’t. It was time.
I miss my dog.
I miss my friend.

Alan from Minnesota

10 years ago I couldn’t have written this story, because although I wasn’t a dog hater I thought that anyone who treated dogs like people or thought dogs went heaven were crazy. I worked as a director at a assisted living home. The manager decided it would be great idea if the home adopted a dog from a shelter for the elderly residents to befriend and pet. Since everyone else on the staff already had a pet, I was asked if I would take the dog to my house at night and on the weekends since that was the agreement with the shelter.

Wanting to make a good impression I told my boss, SURE. As soon as I got EDDY (a lab-newfoundland mix who weighs 100 lbs) into my car I had a talk with him. I told him if he ever had a accident in my house or chewed anything up he was going back, and it seemed that he understood. The arrangement really worked well, and my son & I really became attached to our new member of the family.About six months later a new manager took over and downsized my job so I was eliminated from the staff. She told me I had to leave Eddy there and they would take care of him. I was heartbroken, and soon learned they were locking Eddy in basement every night and leaving him outside for hours wihout food or water.

To make a long story short, I called the shelter about two weeks later and told them what happened. They were furious, and asked me if I wanted him. They told me to go and take him since they violated the contract. Not too easy since it was a secured building. On Saturday night that week I walked in there and told the receptionist I was taking Eddy. She said she wouldn’t let out. I said if you don’t I’ll call the police. She did, and 8 1/2 years later Eddy has been my best loyal friend. By the way they called the police and told them I stole the dog. When they found out the whole story, they dropped the case and told me they wanted me to have the dog. Eddy is the sweetest dog, also a great protector. I do treat him like a person, and YES I expect to see hime in heaven

Patricia from MN

My granddaugher, Sydney, who is 7 years old and lives in Denver, Colorado has a black border collie/chow mix named Remmey. Remmey is about 11 years old and was in good health. My granddaugher and her mother flew to Wisconin this past Friday to visit family. The day after arrival in Wisconsin, her mother got a call from the father saying that Remmey had died; she was laying out on the deck and was dead. As of yet, we do not know the cause of death. Of course, everyone was distraught and now the parents have to tell Sydney that Remmey has died and she will never see the dog again before they return back to Denver or upon arrival on Tuesday. How do you explain to a 7 year old what has happened to Remmey while she was visiting relatives. She loved that dog.

Please advise.
Thank you.
Monika From Utah