Today I buried my beloved Patches. I held her in my arms as she left her body and buried her under the evergreen trees. Patches seemed to understand English. She loved “Petting Station” and “Bye Bye Nite Nite” (she would climb on the bed and get her goodnight petting. A couple of times she rested her head in the palm of my hand and her little paw was on my wrist. She was a pastel tortie calico. I inherited her from her previous owner who rented a room in his home to me when I first arrived in OR. Like Asha of beloved memory she was a good cat and boon companion. She taught me a lot about interspecies communication and unconditional love.

— Karen from Florence, OR

I’ve been a fan for a long time, thank you for all that you do.

Tuesday, we lost our Maltese Pheebee, unexpectedly. She was 10 + years old, and for the past 2 years was unable to walk. So we became her legs. Although her body was broken, muscles deteriorated from some sort of neurological disorder, cancerous tumor on her back, and a tumor growing inside her, Pheebee was still boss of our home. She had more spirit and desire for life than most humans.

We are not sure how/why she passed, but my wife Donna and I are devistated…

I have your books. Funny, we always dreaded the day we’d have to make the big decision you had to with your little Sprite. And as it turned out Pheebee probably made that decision for us, in her own way.

— Chuck from Westlake, OH

Delila was our beloved cocker spaniel who passed this summer. She was my shadow. I never knew a friend more loving than she. When my grand-daughter was murdered, Delila was always there to give me the love I needed. It’s like she felt my heart and knew my sadness. She will always be in my heart. I truely loved her and I know she loved me. I miss her every day. Thank God for the gift of a friend in a sweet, little dog. They give us so much peace, kindness, joy, and love. Delila was my little love.

— Bonnie from Island Falls, ME

As an animal lover, I found my true love at a pet rescue on July 3, 1995.  My husband and I named him Brutus (chihuahua mix).  He was all ears when we got him at 3 months old.  He has been our best friend throughout the years.  He was always there for us through thick and thin.  He loved us unconditionally.  It is with a sad heart that we lost our beloved little man on July 20 at the age of 15.  We know that he lived a great life with us and got to travel to many new locations. Our hearts still ache for him, but we know that we will see him again at the Rainbow Bridge.  We are getting through it, but we still miss him a lot.

— Donna from Ooltewah, TN

This is Maggie. She was part of our family until her death earlier this year. We think she was 14 year-old. We had Maggie since she was a puppy when my wife found her near her car at her employer’s parking lot. Maggie had chewed off her leash and had ran away. She was maybe 2 months old and was but a black fur ball. My wife put up signs and an ad in the paper but nobody called so we kept her.
Maggie must have been a full blood black Chow Chow. There wasn’t a kinder, nobler creature, even though these dogs tend to command healthy respect from strangers. She also was very cat-like in her ‘gestures’ and habits, right down to crossing her front paws when she would lay down.
Maggie was there before either of our kids were born but she welcomed them and stoically bore their games (dressing her up, or riding her like a horse….). Never was she aggressive or bite anybody, but you certainly would ‘hear’ from her if you knocked on the door. I’m sure it sounded like a 150 lbs mastiff from the other side of the door.
In a way, our whole family was merely staying in Maggie’s castle. She was our benevolent Queen. Many times, she would sit at the top of our driveway and ‘people’ watch. I always thought she was surveying her domain. I would watch the occasional unsettled neighbor cross the street to avoid passing in front of her. In these occasions she would simply turn her head sideways. I think she was laughing inside.
About two years ago Maggie’s health started to deteriorate. She lost an eye due to a tumor. She had bladder stones. Her hips were bothering her. She couldn’t hear. She would pant all the time. We were lucky to have great vets who looked after her and care for her. One Sunday in April, she had a seizure. A few hours later she had another, and another. We knew it was time to say goodbye to Maggie who loved us unconditionally for so many years. The next day, all four of us laid on a blanket with her at the vet’s office and said our goodbyes. Right before she was gone, her breathing eased up and after many years, she didn’t pant anymore. She was very peaceful and then she was gone.
We always think of Maggie because we have a small frame picture of her with a paw print in our kitchen. We miss her. Wherever she is, I’m sure she’s sitting, looking regal, with her paws crossed, laughing at the folks going by.

— Humberto from Indianapolis, IN

I want to thank you for your show and this forum. I had to let you know about a great friend of our family that we lost today. Her name was Prissy.  She was a Pekingese/Chihuahua mix.  We got Prissy as a shelter dog when she was four years old back in 1999.  She became one of our best buddies and a friend to all.  It has been a tough year for us in my household.  We have this past year had to take in my Father In-Law who is dealing with mild dementia and some other health issues.   In addition back at the beginning of the year my Father had to go into the hospital and is currently attempting to wean off of a ventilator. So losing Prissy has been a big blow to us.   It has been tough on my wife, who I think feels bad that she could not do more for Prissy towards the end.  I have to remind her that we have had a lot on our plates lately.  I even have to remind myself with work, trying to help Mother  & Dad, and helping my wife.    However one of the things that I don’t think I will ever forget was today.  My sister in-law and niece were there.  It was hard on Leannie (my niece).  She and Prissy were real close.  However I think Prissy had to know just how loved she was.   The vet who handled putting her to sleep was really great and her kindness towards us was something that I think will always touch me. It had to be strange to see this gut unable to keep it together but she was very patient with me!  Well I think I will go now.  But thanks again Mark for this forum. Please remember us in your prayers.  And thanks again.  I think I really needed this.

— Mark from San Antonio, TX