Letter to my dog

I love your white hair because it is a reflection of more than 12 years sharing laughs, hugs and games. It reminds me that your life will be shorter than mine but equally intense, shorter but with infinite, unconditional love to give, without expecting anything in return.

Each day you teach me to be grateful for what I have. For you, there is no difference between sleeping on a simple bed or on a bed of gold, because your bed is "your place" to rest and dream. It doesn't matter whether your plate is made of porcelain or simple plastic, because what matters most is the hand that pets you and feeds you. For you, what matters most is my company, no matter if I am wearing makeup or still in my pajamas.

Together, we've traveled to different places and have moved to different houses, but for you, home is where the heart is, no matter if it is a mansion, a small house or a corner. We have shared happy and sad times. You learned to live without your partner "Camila", since she crossed the rainbow bridge, and even knowing that she had left, you looked for her and you felt she was there, somewhere.

I love your white hair because it makes your face look prettier and your eyes, brighter. You don't run or jump as high as you used to anymore and there are days when it is hard for you to walk long distances.

Even as tired and serene as you are now, you jump and run when I come back home, you roll and get excited like a puppy and I know that deep inside, you still are.

I love your white hair because it is the reflection of a life full of love towards me and life.

I Love You Winnie,

Rosa

Winnie

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #9 Gloria Y.

What happens to a dog when there is a divorce in the family? Difficult situations and stress affect dogs the same way than people, but they express it in a different way. Today's story is from Gloria (her second testimonial) and how she adopted a dog that had so much energy and needed special attention to become the pet she is today. Read her story:

"Jen came to me as a foster dog, a product of a divorce. She had been left with the ex-wife and child, rarely obeying either. Stats: 2 years old, female, Brittany, xtra-hi-energy, mischievous, always on the verse of starvation.

A sandwich in your hand, fair game-she would snatch it with a run, leap, grab, gobble and gone. Food on counter (if you turn your back) disappeared in seconds. Tissue, also a passion, if it peaked out of a box or pocket, seized and swallowed. Jen raced around the house, toy (or something else) in her mouth daring you to try to catch her.

Who would adopt this foster wild child? I DID! Why? When Jen was good she was very, very, good. Jen would sit close by me; look up with her big, brown expressive eyes, gazing into mine with absolute devotion. When called to “come”, she was the 1st dog back in the house; asked to sit/stay, a total statue. I saw the dog that Jen could be. She just needed more, well lots more, positive attention, exercise and a routine she understood. Jen has been with me now for 7 plus years, a great member of our family. She plays well with other dogs, never has destroyed a thing, and is usually trustworthy.

She has never lost the gleam in her eyes as you can see her brain working. Jen also charms every single male that she meets. Many are sure that she wants to go home with them. If they only knew, she would control them before they knew what happened. –Gloria Yarina, Vero Beach, FL

For more pictures of Jen go to her website.

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #8 Marie L.

Today's story is about an angel's arrival to a home to brighten the hearts of a family. After loosing two beautiful dogs, they found a light with the new member. Read Marie's story:

"All of our dogs have been rescues including the two we have now. We had just lost two dogs within weeks of each other. Our male had cancer and was in great distress so we chose to help him pass. His littler mate and constant companion for 12 years died of a broken heart shortly after.

Before she died, I had started looking for a companion for her. I didn't find one until a couple of days after she died. I found the photo of an 11 week old ball of fluff on Petfinders and immediately called the rescue service. Luckily we were able to adopt her.

She wasn't totally white but had several very light blotches of cream along her back. What I didn't notice immediately was a small cream-colored heart on the top of her head. I am convinced this little angel was sent to rescue us from the heartbreak of our double loss." –Marie L., Whitefield, New Hampshire

The Illustrated Book of the Dog

This is a great finding! A book from 1881, "The Illustrated Book of the Dog". If you love dogs and old books, you will enjoy this one. More than 700 pages of text and illustrations with the history and descriptions of many breeds, how to make a kennel, general management of dogs, grooming, feeding, medicine and much more. I haven't read the whole book, but browsing through the pages I found beautiful illustrations in color and black and white. I also love the old yellow tone of the paper. This book was scanned from the original.

It is interesting to read about dog's life in 1881. The book is focused more on show dogs and what characteristics were important to the judges to consider in a competition.

This is a sample of dog clothing.

St. Bernard's in color.

Another page with the description and history of a breed.

A Scotch dog beautifully illustrated.

And the Spaniels at an 1881 home.

If you want to read the book, click here. The page gives you options to read online, download a pdf, read on your Kindle and some more.

Enjoy the book!

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #7

It is awesome when you have a pack that get along so well. This is the case of Pat, who adopted more than one dog and they love each other. I can imagine how much fun when they go all together on the car. Read her story:

"Niko, my most recent rescue, was crossing a busy street when I first met him. He is a full- blooded Akita and was 7 at the time but he was so malnourished that he looked 14! He weighted 90 lbs. when I found him. Now, at 11 years old, he weighs 130 lbs. and looks and acts like a much younger dog. He had been used as a stud dog by a backyard breeder and was fed very little food and kept in an outdoor filthy enclosure before he escaped. Now he sleeps on my couch (and sometimes on my bed) and loves to play tug of war with his 'sister,' my 9-year old Lab/Golden mix.

Lily, my female, was 6-weeks old when I rescued her from her mom who was trying to kill her because she was the runt. She is one of the smartest dogs I've ever had and extremely loyal and a great watch dog. She is half Lab and half Golden.

Mojo, my other male, was at the pound in his last days. He is half Golden and half Chow. He is one of the sweetest dogs - always wanting to be loved or cuddled. Fortunately, he gets a lot of that in my household. My three dogs have all come to accept each other and they frequently go for rides in the back of my car whenever I have local errands to do. I have a great 'pack' at present and will probably be adding to it sometime in the future." –Pat Kramer, Los Angeles.

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #6

This testimonial is an example of how a dog can steal your heart. Albert wasn't planning to adopt a dog, and there she was... beautiful Cupcake waiting for him!  Read his nice story:

"Well my story started about 3 years ago, I was just on FB kind of looking around and I noticed on WCHS page a story about a mixed breed dog named April that had puppies but she had a disease that kept her from feed her babies. She had 8 and they were all just adorable. The Humane Society was bottle feeding them all and had also named them all. I didn't want a dog at all but decided that I would look at the pictures just to be looking. Then there she was!! One little brindle and white baby girl who just captured my heart, her name was Cupcake and was so fitting a name. By the time we decided to go take a look she was 6 weeks old and just full of personality. I instantly fell in love and as well so did my wife and two sons. We discussed the options and decided we would foster for a while just to see how it worked out. 

Well the day came that we had to take her back and it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I bawled like a bay when we got there couldn't even go in with her. My wife was crying but we had to do what was right. We had purchased toys and a bed and she loved them so we took them back with her. One week later we received a phone call that the adoption for Cupcake had fallen through and were asked if we were interested. Needless to say Cupcake is 3 now and weighs 80 lbs, she is a boxer/pit bull mix and the most loving dog any person could have, she now has a puppy of her own, Sophie a beagle/shepherd mix that is just a great dog and a loving sister. They have 5 (2 boys and 3 girls) cat siblings Yoda, Peebles, Bunny, Miranda and Peanut and though the don't get along all the time do live in harmony"–Albert, Winchester, Virginia