Buried my oldest beagle last week. She would have been 15 years old on her next birthday. She was a great hunter and pet. She had more trouble than a government mule during her life. She was a bottle raised runt. She had a broken leg at six months when one of our bird dogs stepped on her while playing together. She had several surgeries and she still remained the same happy go lucky dog. She was small her whole life and as tough as a pine knot. For the last year she was deaf as a post or she would have gone out hunting, she never lost her fire or desire. Her litter mate brother was twice her size and her hunting companion and inseparable playmate, Mutt and Jeff as my wife called them, they made a perfect hunting pair. He preceeded her in death by 3 years (cancer). I know he was waiting for her on the other side...

My wife and I make sure to take time each day to hug and play (at least briefly) with each of our dogs. Those memories last a life time!

I have a German Shepherd named Anna. She is 13 years old now and I am dreading the day she dies. She has been a friend to me since I was 7 or 8. I taught her how to hunt squirrels and play soccer with the guys. She keeps the yotes out of the pasture and away from the chickens. I thank the good Lord every day for her, she has been a better friend to me than most people could ever be. She is so loyal it reminds me of how the Lord loves us and watches over us.

How sad! When it comes to pets, I'm a real softie. Our dog died last year; he was 19 yrs old!!! And since he and I had a running battle for years about him digging in my flower beds to find a spot of cool dirt to lay in during the heat of the summer, when he died, that's where we burried him....He has a nice marker right in the middle of my flower bed, and I've planted flowers all around him.
We have 2 cats now, 1 of them very loving, and will welcome attention any time, and the other is disdainful about any type of attention. Usually, he will suffer in silence through a hug, but then he jumps down, sticks his nose in the air and saunters off as if to say, "How dare you!" They sure are entertaining - and both are horribly spoiled!

I posted the story a while back about the Jack/Rat Russel that just showed up one day at our office. I told how he had become just one of the family and how I just could not imagine my/our life without him. Well...
On January 10th we had to have him put to sleep and now I know what emptiness feels like.
My one day a week off from work is the worst (today is one) as he was with me 24/7. He went to work with us every day for 10 years and if the truck, tractor or 4 wheeler moved, Jeff was in or on it.
What I would not give for one more smooch on the cheek as we travel in the pickup or a nudge of my arm because he wants his ears rubbed. I miss the damn dog hair that I use to constantly bit@# about and would gladly clean up one more of his little "land mines" left in the front yard.
Tomorrow is not a promise and they like people do not live forever. Love and hug them today because tomorrow you may have to make the decision that we did.
Many have asked if we are going to get another dog, like running right out and getting a new one would fill the void. My reply to them is "absolutely not, as you can't replace the best".
Maybe someday...just not TODAY.
JB

You hit my soft spot, Dogs!!
Glad your story had a happy ending Kim.
Some of you might already know that I own 4 hunting dogs. I spoil them dearly, daily treats and attention, gifts for b-days and Christmas, the whole bit.
My oldest will be 9yrs tomorrow! Time flies!! He's my Teddy bear and since he's getting up their in years I bring him inside the basement on really cold nights and hot summer days. He loves it.
I've only recently had one in the house full time. Now she is a spoiled brat, but I gotta love her. She's sleeping on my bed right now actually.... I don't care what I'm doing though, she'll be there to check on me to see what's happening. When I come home she looks out the window and then runs to the door to greet me, jumping and all happy. If we come home from shopping she has to pick through my bags to see if I bought her anything. Lol I don't know what I'd do without her.

I'm making it a point today to send you Pics Kim!! I just recently took some and I will send them to you this afternoon!

My old mutt Lily died last fall, she was a dear thing, although not particularly obedient she was a superior doorbell and a good listener. We have recruited her replacement, a beautiful Samoyed Puppy now sleeping at my feet. We named her Kojka. Yes, I hugged my dog today.

I get really nervous every time I see a pet near a road. Not only do I fear for the pet, I feel for the owners who might lose that pet, knowing the pain involved.

Some people can never understand the bond some people make with their pets, especially dogs. Call me weird, or sick in the head, but I lost my grandmother and my first dog at around the same time. I have to admit, I was a lot more upset about the dog than I have been for anything else, ever.