Now that we have our (first) dog, we are seeing that dogs can be very special. My spouse forwarded this to me from his email and it was so sweet, I had to pass on.
And to end the post…our new rescue dog Captain:
Do you own a dog? Tell me about him/her! What kind?
Trisha
Love your dog? Buy him or her an awesome present like this one!
At the apartment I am in now, we do not have a dog. But when I was with my parents, we had 3 dogs, 2 boxers (males, siblings) and a pit-boxer (female, she’s my sister’s). The picture with the child hugging his dog and that no matter the pain the dog will make you feel better, was the most pertinent to me, distinctly this happened to me one night, almost seven years ago. We had our 2 male boxers (Max and Tucker) and I was writing a very sad story and the story made me start crying. I sniffle a lot when I cry and I think this is what brought Max to me. He laid his head on my knee and stared up at me with his big brown eyes until I broke down. I went to my knees and hugged him, sobbing into his shoulder/neck. We sat there for twenty to thirty minutes. When my tears dried and the sobs ebbed away, I pulled back and kissed his wet nose and he covered my face with his dog kisses and I knew everything was alright again.
Every photo, every dog every person tells a story. A story of unconditional love with no strings attached. These photos are the most moving collection I have seen and so truer photos of mans best friend. I could tell you all about my dog but these photos say it all. Congratulations for putting together these photos.
How could you not love dogs? I currently have a white standard poodle, Moxie…
I can not think of life without her……….thanks for the post…
This was so heart warming and touching. I have two dogs, a Brindle pit bull, and her son, whose father was Husky and Rottweiler. I love them both. I am single and they are such wonderful companions. Not only single, I am very isolated and I just know my dogs are a blessing from God. Sometimes I get tired of cleaning up after them (poop detail never ends), but that is the only blemish and they are so loving. Today, I filled both their bowls and then came upstairs. They left their food and came upstairs with me. I knew they were hungry, so I had to coax them back downstairs and stay there while they ate. Sometimes they shadow me too much. Thanks for such a moving piece. Dogs truly are a wonderful gift.
I have 2 dogs. My husband and I used to have 3 but one of them died at 4 years old of seizures 2 years ago and I still miss him so much to this day. WE LOVE YOU DAO!!! My other 2 dogs are Socrates who is a 2 year old lab and Arktos who is a 1 year old husky lab mix. They are wonderful dogs. My husband is a Navy Veteran and our dogs have saved his life. They are his certified companion animals who have helped him out of depression. My dogs are amazing and I could not and my husband could not live without them. They sleep with us, eat with us, go where we go they are out children since we cannot have any. People who abuse animals have not hearts or souls. I love dogs so much and mine are my life and family. Your pictures are beautiful and inspiring. It is a reminder that the end of last year for 6 months my husband and I were homeless and our dogs were with us and just having them with us helped us get back on our feet cause we knew we could make it through those rough times.
It is now at least 10 years that I went to Germany to work as a nanny. The family I lived in was a divorced mum with 2 children, having the daddy over for the weekends so that he could do something with the kids. After the mum got to know her new partner, she decided to move with the kinds to Austria where he was from and settle down with him…..I made the decision to go with them but at the end it was more complicated than expected. The kids got separated, one stayed in Germany, on went to Austria. To make this move easier for them the parents thought to get a dog would cheer the kids up and make them overcome this new start. We all together went to get a collie (as that was the preference) and the puppy came straight to me! Out of the few ones they had, this one picked me, so the family decided to take him. I was with him all the time, he helped me to overcome my lonely days in Austria. The family was lazy to clean up after him once they refused to go with him for a walk….so I was doing this too, giving him food, walking him out….After a year I went to my home country and was back in Germany a year later (the family moved back) to visit them. I still have in my mind and can clearly see the picture of the dog going crazy about me! He still knew me. He was more excited about my visit than the family!!!! I could’t calm him down for several minutes, he wanted to cuddle and wanted me to hold him like forever!!!! So amazing. I was very sorry to hear years later that he died on some born health issues.
I have a dog too (13 years now) and he is so adorable, looking at me with the big eyes which are saying so much. I work abroad, so he is with my family and I’m looking forward to see him after a year again! Dogs are the best animals ever!
my favorite thing: “if life does not mean dogs, then what is life?” ” one life saved is one less to save.”
dogs are God’s gift to lonely people. they’re just lovable
Wow, those pictures are so moving. Love the ones highlighting the dog’s loyalty. Thank you so much for sharing these pictures.
Since I can remember, there has always been a dog within our home. Growing up it was Harley, the family’s Australian Cattle Dog who kept my brother and I in check when we were small. Then came Cheyenne, our wolf/German Shepherd mix who stood by my side throughout my teenage years when things just weren’t going my way. Now married, my husband and I are the proud owner/parents of two loyal and amazing dogs. Clover, our Lab/Siberian Husky mix and Whiskey, a German Shepherd/American Bulldog mix. Both are rescues, though I really believe that they are the ones that rescued us as they kept my marriage together when it seemed to be falling apart. Our future children will know what true loyalty, friendship and unconditional love that only a dog can teach and that we as humans sometimes fail at showing.
Thank you so much for the pictures, they were truly inspirational and each one speaks louder than any words I can put here.
I lost my job over the summer the same time my fiance and I got our goldendoodle puppy, Bella. She’s stayed by my side and supported me though everything. Right now she’s sleeping at my feet, snoring loudly lol. Thank you for these lovely pictures.
I love dogs to. The friendship with a dog is something special. Sometimes it’s just like they understand us without saying anything.
Although I don’t have a dog. I know dog is the best friend . Especially for elderly people.so I plan keeping a dog.
I also have a dog, I rescued her from the streets, only a month old and barely alive. I had to beg my parents to let me have her and now 4 years later, they love her even more than I do. She is called Pia, she is the smartest, kindest and certainly most spoiled dog I’ve ever seen, but she also has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen as well. She is my forever companion, she suffers from epilepsy because of her problems while she was born, but we’ve learned to deal with it and I’ve never asked for a better thing in life. She’s certainly the best thing that has ever happened to me, I love her with all my heart, where she will stay forever. Btw: I love your website! Best touching pictures ever!
When I was 18 I went to my brothers house to watch a movie. He lives down the road from my parents so I just walked. As I walked home I heard my dog barking for me I ran home just in time to see him take his last breath. He waited until I was safely at home to leave me and I will always miss him. No matter how many days go by it still hurts. I loved him more than anyone else, he was the only constant in my life, the only one I could talk to and rely on. He loved me with all his heart I know that and he will always be my first love.
sum yrs ago..maybe 5 or 6..forget..i had to hold my best freind..while a Dr. put a needle in his leg..and i felt the life leave his body…terrible ..had to be done..snoop was 13 and had terrible epilectic seizures(sp?)..he was in constant pain..pills ..meds..therapy didnt work ..i had ol’ snoop 12 yrs..he was found in the woods ..starving..i said it was to nice of a day to die..and took him home..nurtured him..as he nurtured me..wer ever i went ..he went …contantly..if i couldnt take my pup..i didnt go..i had him as a freind and confident that long..have many pics of times together..hung all over shop walls…im not gonna do this again….i love animals …but being old now…im not willing to go thru that experiance again(sp?)..the pic of one ofour heros in a casket..with his pup under it..cut me up..very sad….life suks is this respect…i hope that pup as snoop is re-uniteedi nheaven sum day..i find solace in this…thanks for the good pics!! makes me remember my freind…jSm
One day, whilst I was coming home from another town 2 hours away, my friend and I decided to stop and have a picnic in the middle of the mesa. I live in New Mexico, and we went off to choco canyon, which had a dirt road and drove atleast 2 or three miles off the highway. After our picnic we were driving back towards the highway on this deserted dirt road when we saw a little dog running alongside the road. We stopped and the first thing the sweet little puppy did was run up to me as if she’d known me forever. The poor dog looked as if she hadn’t eaten in days, I gave her the rest of my lunch and almost the rest of the water we had. The rest of the two hour drive the little puppy slept in my lap, and when I got home I begged my parents to let me keep her as I drove home, and the second they met her they fell in love with her. For the next week all she did was eat, drink water and sleep. She is now a year old, and the happiest dog in the world. I decided to name her Snuggly Jeff, and she is the happiest, smartest dog in the world. I am so glad my friend and I took that detour for lunch because she is an amazing dog.
I have never owned a dog until I was 17. I was talking to my mom and some how dogs came up and she asked if I wanted a dog. I said of course I want a dog; I have always wanted a dog. She looked at me oddly as if to say she didn’t know that. Well, the next day she woke my sisters and I at seven in the morning (my older sister is not a morning person) and we headed to the car. We were going to the city to look in the shelters for the perfect dog. We didn’t make it that far. Right outside our gate was this little black puppy. We knocked on every door trying to find the owners; but no one claimed her. Her name is Dot and she has seen me through some really rough patches; including losing my house. Every day when I come home she actually smiles. When she first did this I thought she was growling. It was my mom who realized that she was smiling because I would smile whenever I laid eyes on her. I still do and so does she. She is the reason I am still here.
Our dog just had surgery to repair a fully torn ACL. If it wasn’t repaired, she would be maimed for life and was only 2 years old. We couldn’t afford it but my mom helped us out and we look forward to our dog being able to run and be happy again. She’s so sweet and we couldn’t bear to lose her – way, way too soon!
Amazing pics, our dog Volta have 4 YO we live in Mexico and i hope follow with her many years more.
Saludos desde México
I have SIX dogs… and four puppies. I breed Shiba Inu’s. They are the smaller cousin to the Akita. Beautiful and very smart. My oldest Bombay, 5, has been with me since I was 20yrs old and diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He definitely helped me thru that time of my life, made me feel better when I was sad.. When I was sick from the chemo, he would lay by my side in the bathroom. And after my 4month stay in the hospital seeing how excited he was to see me still makes me tear up. The love of a dog is something else. And that is why I started breeding. I want every dog lover to be able to feel love like I do every day with my babies. I live in a three bedroom house with my husband and our dogs, they are all beyond spoiled, have two bedrooms to share with human beds to lay on and more toys than a human child could want.
—I don’t want anybody thinking Im a puppy mill or hoarder considering the number of babies I have. I just love dogs, they take my mind of my own problems.. God bless everyone and their four legged babies!!!
Dear Loren,
My dog, Bronte, now 19 years old, went thru my cancer with me too. I was so sick with the chemo so many times a day, countless really. He never hesitated once or became complacent. He would jump off the bed each and every time and sit between the toilet and the wall just staring at my face, trying to see if I was OK. Then he would get back into bed with me and this went on over and over day after day, night after night, for months on end. When I was hospitalized my daughter zipped him up in a bag and would sneak him into my room. We would put him at the end of the bed under the covers and when the Doctors came in to check on me we would tell him to stay still. He could tell by my voice it was important, and he would not move a muscle, or make a sound. It was a teaching hospital and one by one the young doctors would take turns examining me. Bronte visited me nearly every day and he was NEVER discovered! Now I have my younger dog, Scout, being trained to be a therapy Dog at that same hospital. Bronte is laying by me now as I write this note. I am all better. He is almost totally blind and deaf but he is happy and healthy otherwise. I am trying my best to keep him going. I can never re- pay this Dogs undying loyalty, love, patience and unending kindness.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve never had a dog before–I’ve always been more of a cat person–but I know how important pets can become in our lives. Less pets, more like family members really. Your story touched my heart, truly beautiful. Again, thanks for sharing!
I have a dog! (: Actually he’s still a puppy, just 10 months old! He’s already quite big—a German Shepherd and Siberian Husky mix, you know! :3 He’s a very loving pup and always cuddles with my baby sister! And when I’m upset or sad he’ll come up to me and comfort me. He has the most wonderful smile and when he lifts his ears he looks like Pikachu!
I love my Sparky so much, he’s my baby you know! (:
I love dogs. They taste great and are very nutritious.
You’re missing out on a great thing – dogs are wonderful and everyone should rescue one!
I have four (4) Big Dogs, none under 60 pounds. I have Misdemeanor, whom is ll years old and one of his daughters Soda whom is 9 years old, we now call her Sodamamma, she is also solid chocolate and is so pretty and so darn smart. Then we have Sodamamma’s son, Misdemeanor’s grandson and he is l40 pounds of fun. He is also totally deaf but is so much fun. But he is a biter and if he doesn’t like someone from the very start then from the first day until forever that person is never welcome in our home or our yard, his name is Mr. Winer and if you listen to him he wines and you can tell if you listen to him you can tell by the sound of his voice that he is deaf. But he is so funny when he sleeps because he is totally deaf he snores and he sounds like a human and he weighs about l40-l50 pounds but has no idea how big he is. When we have company he will sit in front of them if he likes them and he will sit straight on their feet. He’s a joy but should he ever get loose out of our yard, he would get killed immediately because he runs towards the lights and cars. But he is the most loyal dog I have ever seen. And then our baby, Zadie Lady, she is of no relation to the other three but she has been with us since she was about 5-6 weeks old so she is as much a part of our family as the other three or my husband or myself. Anyway I hope that anyone whom is currently and those whom become owners of any dog or dogs will have the joy that my dogs have given me. Just love and remember they may be dogs or just dogs, but they are the BESTEST BEST FRIEND that you will ever have and if you will love them they will love you unconditionally.
I have 3 dogs! I have a 7 year old lab named Isabella who we bought from a breeder. I also have a 4 year old lab/german shepherd mix named Bailey who we got from the SPCA. He was abused but he’s the best dog I’ve ever had. And finally, I just recently bought an Australian Cattle dog/beagle mix from a pet store. We named him Huxley and he’s about 6 months old now. Cutest dog I’ve ever seen but stubborn as a mule. Thanks for sharing these pictures! Your puppy is adorable!
Dogs are the best therapy for whatever ails you. Poor or rich, beautiful or homely, mansion or a street – it doesn’t matter as long as they have the person they love with them. I have two dogs. One is a golden retriever/ German Shepherd mix and the other is a Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren.) They give our family so much love and loyalty and we find a way to get up day after day because they need us to take care of them. I will always have a dog in my life, though I wish these two could live forever. They are as close to perfect as possible.
Very nice:)
I currently have three. Boo, a white border collie/heeler. He’s two and such a personality. Cookie is 11, an Australian Shepherd mix. She came from the pound after we saw her there looking for a lost heeler mix when she was one. (We found the heeler 6 months later!) Edward is the odd-dog out, he is a 3 year old Goldendoodle. He is Boo’s dog, but the friendship didn’t take! We though Boo needed a young playmate since he drives ol’ Cookie crazy trying to play too long and hard. We should have known better. We have had other closed “packs” of Australian Heelers, Border Collies and crosses. They don’t seem to let others into their little Mensa groups!
Boo and Edward are Craigslist dogs. But, not irresponsible breeders or uncaring owners. Both had legitimate reasons for needing to re-home them. Cookie, as I said, is from a county shelter than only holds strays 3 days. For some reason they kept her 14. Boo was 4 months when we got him, Cookie 1 year, and Edward 2. I like puppies, but it is nice to have an adult who is already house broken! You can find great adult dogs in shelters. Just be careful, check out as much of their past as you can, and take them out to “test” them! This is especially true it you have young children. You may not know the dog’s background, and why they ended up in a shelter.
I have my two sweeties. Yuki the Pekingese and Marla the pug. I love them and they will be with me for a long time. But I also have my other beloved dogs, whom will be there on the other side. Hilda, my german shepherd who was very smart and very loyal. My boxers, Spring and Vixen, who always licked away the tears. My dachshunds Morticia and Wednesday, who i had to give to better homes when times got too tough. I miss them, but they have found homes that will provide them with lasting love.
I just lost my female Akita, Cheyene. She was the best. I really miss her and this site just reminds me why. Thanx
I went to a cancer center in a large city about 225 miles from where I live. My medical appointments were for early Friday and Monday. Cancer Society of America paid for my room in a hotel Friday through Tuesday, so I made reservations for Thursday at a pet friendly Hotel and assumed the Fri-Tues hotel was as well. Since I couldn’t afford to board my dog for six days, I found a doggie day care for the days I would be at the cancer center. Friday went fine. Checked out of the first Hotel, put Toby, my dog, in doggie day care and went on my way to the cancer center. That afternoon I checked into the new hotel and found out they were not pet friendly. OMG, what to do??? Being desperate, I decided to try to slip him in. I knew he would be good and not make noise or dirty the room. I emptied my suitcase and took it with me. I went to fast food and then went to a local grocery store and bought food for the weekend and then picked up Toby at Doggie Day Care. Just before getting to the Hotel I put him into my suitcase. I had never done that before and did not know what to expect. He was quiet. So far, so good. I parked on third floor in the Hotel Garage. Took the “suitcase” down in the garage elevator. He was quiet. Had to go INTO the Hotel to their main bank of elevators and up to the fourth floor He was quiet the whole way!!! Once in the room, I put down some pee pads on the tile floored bathroom and turned him loose. He was as good as gold all weekend!! No noise at all. He used the pee pads though he is used to going outside at home. Monday morning, back into the suitcase and down the elevator with other passengers, I held my breath, but no noise or movement. On to Doggie day care and the reverse that evening and Tuesday morning. What a marvel that little 17 pound dog is!! He was a rescue dog. I got him Oct. 1 a year ago. He was the only dog there who was interested in me. He picked me, so I picked him. One person at the Humane Society told me he was a Pomeranian and one told me that he was a Papillon. I had trouble believing either because he was not a good looking dog and had whimpy hair. They said he had been a stray, but didn’t know for how long. I took him to Pet Care for a bath and treated for fleas before I took him into my apartment. They said he was a Papillon and that he had been a breeder. They showed me where he had been recently fixed. He will eat anything, including flies snapped out of the air. He is very resourceful at getting food. He even got on the bathroom counter and ate the cat’s food at first. They said he was two years and two months old when I got him but my vet tells me he is just now that age. He had second stage heartworms after I got him home even though his papers said he had been checked a few months before I got him.. Very expensive to treat and I had to borrow the money and pay it back, but worth it. He has a marvelous personality (but jealous of my 11 year old cat, because I love her too). I’m elderly and live in a retirement community of elderly people. Everyone here loved him immediately, even the dogs. And, he has gone from a ratty tatty, whimpy looking little dog to the most beautiful, elegant dog you ever saw. Thick golden palomino coat with white feet and a silky white, long-haired tail. He is the lop eared Papillon. I can’t imagine anyone throwing him away. I think he must have been kicked because the teeth in his lower jaw are a little misaligned and he is afraid of some men. Not all men, but a certain type of man.
I am the luckiest old lady in the world. That breed lives to about 17 years, so my greatest fear is that I will go off and leave him alone again (I am 74). I am making sure some one who will love him as I do, will get him if anything happens to me. I’ve always had wonderful, loving and intelligent dogs, but this is the smartest and most loving yet, and certainly the best behaved. I am so fortunate!!!
When i read this comment, i knew why dogs love their people. You dog is very fortunate too!
Shirley,
Your story is so beautiful. I would want to bring my dog with me if I were going to a cancer center. A dog’s presence alone can make you feel better, especially one who seems so well-behaved and loving. You sound like an amazing mom for Toby.
To the “old lady” who went to the cancer center. I will take care of your dog when the time comes. Dean Koontz said that dogs are like our special angels that come to help us. Mine certainly have. I would do anything for them and they for me. So I would be very happy to take your dog. Please let me know if you are interested and we can make plans.
Indiana Jones, my darling dog, came into my life and changed it forever! He taught me to love. Am so blessed. Now we’ve got the 2 of them (+ Sakura) I am a lucky girl.
Crying hard and missing my doggie…I had a greyhound named Clancy. We got him from a place in St. Louis called REGAP, which specializes in retired racing greyhounds. I don’t know how many of these places there are, but it seems like they get overlooked sometimes.
I have lots of funny stories about Clancy…he was kind of slow, but he loved to play and jump around, and was friendly to everyone he met. Sometimes he would just come up to me and lean against me so I could rub his ear. He was exactly the right height for it, too.
Towards the end, Clancy didn’t move much, and then one day he just dropped while on a walk with my stepdad. I cried for three days. He lived to be about 13, which is pretty long for a greyhound. That was five years ago.
Thank you for the pictures. I love dogs so much and I miss Clancy every day.
These pics are beautiful and melted my heart. Especially the one of the dog laying next to his dead master’s corpse. Dogs are so loving
Loyal dogs, so touching!
I have two rescue dogs. They are Chinese Crested. They were rescued from a backyard breeder and the horrors these little babies went through are unthinkable. I will not list those things because I am sure each and every person has already heard a story or two about our backyard breeders. I thought I had heard it all but when I found my babies, I knew I hadn’t. I have had them for five years now and I am truly blessed. It took some time to gain their trust but the rewards were so worth it. I am convinced, and I am serious, that dogs are really angels and they are put here to teach humans how to love unconditionally. Please everyone, stop what you are doing right now and go hug your dog and tell them, because they can understand, that you love them and thank them for all they have done for you. (you might slip them a treat also, lol) Thank you for reading this, much love to you and your dogs, from Woofy 9yrs and Kiki 13 yrs..
I have a 2 year old blue heeler/ german shepherd mix. His name is diesel and he has saved me in more than one way. If it wouldn’t have been for him I don’t think I would have been able to leave my abusive ex boyfriend. Dogs are a wonderful gift to us and they become family so quickly. I would be lost without my dog in my life.
What wonderful photos! I have two rescues and I really underestimated how much I would love them. I did not grow up in a house with dogs and they are truly the best! Mine have kept vigil by my bedside through major surgery and have cuddled away my tears, as well as celebrated major milestones. My husband and I even swung home after our wedding on the way to the hotel just to give them a hug and take some “family photos!” (Right now one is curled up watching me type this).
Hey! The Riot Dogs are missing. Dog’s solidarity against austerity and opression, like Loukaniks and Kanellos in Greece. Now Chili have their Riot Dogs too.
mi corazon solo siente el perdon divino cuando mira estas fotos, es por eso que pienso que solo los animales son los mejor de este mundo lo maximo perdon es mi pensamiento gracias
Oh my goodness. I just love these photos. These dogs are just so cute and adorable. They really make my day. I love this site. It is just so wonderful.
You brought tears to my eyes with all your pictures of true and loyal love. I have 2 of my own a rottie, Lizzie and a blue healer, LG, they are my hearts each of them. I love my family and my kids and friends, but nothing loves me more than them and God. <3
I like many others stumbledupon your site and this post, it warmed my heart. I rescued my little beauty Ryder a year ago last month from a terrible abusive situation. I never understood the love of a dog, until I had one of my own. She lights up my life everyday and shows unconditional love- she’s the best comfort and a great secret keeper too! Having her in my life is a blessing and I hope that you and all the other commenters have many wonderful experiences with the four legged loves in their lives! Thank you for sharing this post, I’ll be visiting your site quite often now
l love dogs very much too!!!
My parents still have the dog that I have grown up with for the past 12 years. Since I am in college the joke is that I don’t come home to visit my parents, I come home to visit Olive our 14 year old terrier mutt. She is the best dog I could ever ask for. I will walk in the door and she is always the first to greet me and if I sit down so will either jump in my lap (with a bit of help due to her age) or curl up at my feet. Olive is so amazing that when I recently traveled home and was so sick I had to stay in bed the entire day she stayed with me. I don’t mean she was with me for half an hour or whatever, she literally stayed by my side the entire day which made being sick not all that bad. I love her so much and I am terrified of the day we might lose her.
My dog is 6 now and has been with me through everything. She is the most caring and loving dog and I always sneak her up to my room when my parents have gone to sleep because I know how much she loves sleeping on my bed! I don’t know where I’d be without her and will miss her kisses and cuddles when I go to University.
I have 2 Dachshunds, both black and tan. My dog Scamp has been my best friend since I was a child. He’s almost 9 now. I had a hard time growing up, and he was the only thing that held me together for the longest time. I owe my life to him. He’s grumpy in his old age though.
My other one is Mabeline (Mable). She is a little over a year old, long-hair, and we got her when she was 10 weeks old. The people that had her before us locked her in a bathroom for the time they had her, so I feel that she has a better life with us now. 
It truly is amazing to see how many people commented on this. I felt like a loner when I told people my dog is my bestfriend. I’m glad to be proved wrong.
We have two dogs who are our whole world. We are now empty nesters except for our dogs. Our first dog was rescued from someone on a street corner who was going to have the puppies euthanized. He is almost 8 years old now and he is a brindle boxer/chocolate lab mix named Hershey. He has the most gentle eyes and he is so loving. Our 2nd dog is a german shepherd mix who adopted us! She found my husband at a busy construction site and would’ve most likely died that day. He picked her up and put her in his truck with every intention of taking her to an animal shelter as we were not in the market for another dog. She curled up in the door pocket of his truck and promptly stole his heart. That was almost 3 years ago. We love Hannah, even if she is a big clumsy ox! Can’t imagine my life without them, nor can I imagine the day I have to send them across the rainbow bridge.
These pictures are so sweet. I have a little black and tan weiner dog named Cocoa. I am an only child, and he is like my little brother. I love him to death and don’t know what I would do without him.
I have a boxer and i dont know what i would do without him. He has given me so much joy and a little stress. He cuddles me when i cry and warms me when im cold. He protects me from the evil unknown outside the window (barking at everything that passes) He is a gentle soul and a 32 kilo lap dog. He is the love of my life. He has been mine since the day he was born. His mother is our family dog and his sister is my moms. The bond we have to our dogs is unbreakable. I would do anything for my dog. Some people say they are animals they have no feelings but that is a lie I know when my dog is sad and when he is happy. He has a personality like no other. The love a dog gives you is like nothing you could ever experience. It is real love.
We have a rescue dog called Floppy (he has one permanently erect ear and the other flops over and won’t stand up), who is a beautiful, good-natured, hairy hound. He hates motorbikes and loves fruit. A year ago a little dog turned up in our neighbour’s garden, very thin and scared and other people in the village said he had been thown out of a car in the next village to ours. He had no identity chip, so although we weren’t looking for another dog, we took him in and called him Harry. After a few days of keeping their distance and eyeing each other suspiciously, he and Floppy became firm friends. They are the best thing that ever happened to us and fill our lives with joy. Dogs are just the best animals ever.
I own two dogs. A doberman/hound/mutt mix. My roommates brought him home at 4 months old not realizing what the dog had been through. They named him Draco, after the dragon. They were told he had been chained most of his life and it was very quickly obvious he was beaten. Within two weeks both of my roommates had given up on him. He was terrified of everyone he met. Unsure about how to act with other dogs, couldn’t meet new people without falling into a barking fit and peeing himself. I could not see a puppy put down, because this is what would have happened to him if we returned the puppy to the shelter. So I took care of him. At the time I was severely depressed. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, but this damaged puppy began to bond to me. It was hard. Harder then anything I have ever done, but over the next four years we saved each other. He is now mostly well adjusted. He still is fearful of strangers, but he can take walks without breaking down, he loves to go to the off leash parks and play with other dogs. Eventually. when Draco was about two, I got him a companion, a corgi to give him someone to play with. My corgi, Frank Sinatra, is well adjusted and has taught Draco to be a real dog. Where Draco is fearful, Frank is bold. Before I adopted Frank, Draco almost never wagged his tail. Frank taught him how, even though he has no tail at all, just a nub.
The things that Draco has taught me about trust and love I will hold with me forever. Just because someone is broken, beaten, and lost, they can survive. With enough love they can come back from the edge. So when I hear a dog is unfixable, or beyond help, I think of my dog Draco. It took patience, lord knows it did, but no one is beyond redemption with love and time.
I love your story and I just had to thank you for renewing my faith in human beings. You are right, no one is beyond redemption. Thank you
I have a german shepherd / black lab and pit mix. She is the most precious and dearest thing to my heart(: I’ve had her since she was 3weeks old and she still jumps in my lap and lays on her back and cuddles me even though shes a big girl now(: I got my senior pictures done with her too and she has pictures of her own(: I wish I could share them! Her name is Saydee Brown(:
A few years ago, by pure dumb luck (as they say), I become the owner of a tiny Chihuahua puppy. When she was only six months old she began acting oddly. Long story short I discovered the she was alerting me to high blood sugar levels. After speaking to a vet about this I was encourage to get her service dog training. My little Holly-Bug, weighing only 4lbs, is an official service dog that has saved my life on three different occasions. Who knew? If you had told me that Chihuahuas can be medical alert service dogs I would have laughed at you a few years ago. When one envisions a service dog one imagines a large dog leading a blind person. Dog really are amazing and I thank God for bring this little miracle in to my life.
Reminds me of my family dog, Summer, a brittney Spaniul. Such a loving caring dog. Dogs are the best they really do bring a smile to your day
This made me cry and miss my dog. I had a chihuahua named, Goldy for 17 years. We got her when I was in the first grade, mom thought it would be good since Im an only child. She was my best friend and I couldn’t wait to come home on breaks from college to see her. She was getting pretty old and had trouble walking and wasn’t eating anymore mom said. I came home for thanksgiving break and she tried to run up to me but kept collapsing. I told mom that we should probably put her down the next day. As we were on our way to the vet I could tell she was in a lot of pain. She just laid on my lap licking my hand and I was in tears. We finally got to the vet and had to wait in the waiting room to be seen. Suddenly she just closed her eyes and passed away right there. My mom said she was waiting for me to come back home. I miss her everyday!
I have a beautiful Golden Retriever named Boomer. He’s four years old, and already he is one of the best dogs I’ve ever had. I won’t say I own him, because he really owns my family and I, and he knows it. He has such an infectious grin and wiggles with joy whenever one of us comes home, and is always up for a hug or a cuddle. Between my brothers and I, he shares the love equally, one good example being at night. He has a special spot in each of our rooms, and will rotate between the three throughout the night to be with us. Boomer has especially good instincts, which is why I trust him implicitly to protect us. That is the reason I take him running with me, to keep me safe. He may look like a lovable Golden, but he can be intimidating.
I found that out on one occasion. I was running with him at about 8pm, which was the only time of the day I could fit in a run. I live in a fairly small town, without much crime and the streets are pretty safe year round. On this one night, I was running in front of an alleyway and a man jumped out, intending to cause me harm as he was hooded and was aiming to grab at me. Boom jumped between the two of us, instantly snarling and growling, and tripped the man, before trying to incapacitate him. A passerby called the police, and even though Boomer did rip through the mans sweatshirt with his teeth, he didn’t break skin, so there were no consequences of the defense. Boomer is my hero, and I don’t know what would have happened had he not been there with me.
I’ve got a Japanese Spitz and his name is ‘MOMO’. He is nearly two years old and loves being around my family. I get to be home only on weekends and every time we meet its like we met after ages. I love him
I have a beautiful 10 year old English Bulldog named Matile (Mah-teel). He is the joy of my life. I love hearing him snore. He gives kisses before he eats. He comes into my room in the morning to snuggle before I have to get up. I dont know how anyone lives without a dog.
I have a 9 year old rottweiler. His name is Jake and he is the best dog Ive ever owned/met. He’s the sweetest and most gentle dog.
so sad mine to
I have a 2 year old yorkie named Paco and he is the best thing in my life! this kind of love is incomparable to any other, he knows when I’m sad or happy or tired, he always greet us at the door everytime, even if we leave for just 5 minutes.
A dog is the best thing you can do to improve your life and your family’s. I almost begged my mom to let me have him and now she loves him as much as I love him and he loves us back unconditionally.
We have a Labrador called Honey and she is so sweet and funny!A real dozo!
I have a 5 yr old Poochie (poodle, chihuahua mix) he is my angel. My daughter actually got him when she had moved from her dads to live with me in 10th grade and didn’t have any friends. Then, when she started to make friends, and my husband was about to deploy to Iraq for the second time, she gave him to me for Mother’s Day and said, “I know you will be lonely with Byron gone”. He was about 1 yr old. He has been my angel ever since. All 3 of my kids (she was the oldest) have since grown up and moved away and have families of their own and he is now my only “baby”. I don’t know what I would do without him. I had to deploy myself, to Iraq from 9/10 to 9/11 and my husband was on his 3rd deployment, so I had to board him. I WAS DEVASTED!! I thought he wouldn’t remember me. But, he did…immediately. I hope I never have to leave him again.
My dog is a rescue named Buddy. He’s about 8 years old. Earlier this year we had to put down our other little dog, Sally. While I would love to get another dog, Buddy is perfectly happy being the only one. He loves getting all the attention! So I think we’re gonna hold off and let Buddy be an only child.
I have a rescue named chance, to help fill in the void of losing my childhood friend, We got Chance, A great big fluffy Leonberger(lean on berger) He is the dopiest dog ever. He is absolutely beyond a doubt, my greatest friend. He thinks he’s a lap dog, and made the death of my first dog a lot easier to bare. My dad is kind of antsy making me really wired just waiting for the next grounding. Chance help my nerves and help me get to sleep at night, nothing like a big fluffy wad of fur to do everything that you could ever ask. With that big powerful nose of his he even turns off the lights.
I love dogs, they truly are “mans best friend”. I currently have a Siberian Husky, named Meisha and a yellow lab named Sadie. Meisha is the more spoiled of the two, she is more of a house dog, especially since it gets so hot here. Sadie is our guard dog. She thinks she is our protector. She wants to sleep outside at night so she can chase away all the killer deer and rabbits that may attack if she is not there. LOL I have written 3 articles on dogs recently. One on the Siberian Husky breed, another on the Pit Bull breed and a short true story about a black lab that we rescued named Jake. You can check them out on my web-site listed if you would like. Your pictures touched my heart, almost brought tears to my eyes on some of them. I’m glad I stopped by. I am sharing this on my FaceBook page and my Google+ page as well. Have a wonderful day!
Dog don’t “give” their lives in war; their lives are placed in jeopardy by humans, effectively betraying the loyalty and trust that the dogs place in their human companions.
Just sayin’.
People don’t “give” their lives in war, they are placed in that danger for the protection and gain of the whole not the individual. JUST SAYIN. The dog and his handler are in EQUAL AMOUNTS of danger. they lose a handler as often as they do a dog, and have you ever SEEN a devastated handler?! some of them never get another because they can’t handle the heartbbreak. Have you seen a devastated dog?! They bond to their handler, and some can’t adapt to a new one because they don’t have the respect for them! they have to earn it. I can’t believe how ignorant you are “just sayin” something like that, its honestly hurtful.
I’ve got two rescue dogs-a 4 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback/pit bull mix named Gracie, and a 3 year old border collie/blue heeler mix named Emmett. Both of them came from unimaginable places (Gracie was rescued from a puppy mill; Emmett was beaten for the first six months of his life before he was rescued) and it’s been amazing to me how quickly they both got back to “normal” after we brought them home. They’re both loving, sweet, and spoiled dogs, and they just make our lives so much better. Thank you for making the decision to adopt a rescue!
The military dog pics remind me that dogs are classified as equipment in the US military. That means if they get old or injured overseas, they are not returned home. I was reading about it and it’s seriously messed up. We need to change that policy. Fly the damn dogs home, US military.
The first dog that was really mine was named Muttley by the draw of names out of a hat. He was a pound dog, a mutt, several years old with a crooked stubby tail and one torn ear. He was a family dog, meant to be shared by three children and two adults. My dad won the name draw, but from day one he was mine alone. He followed me every where I went, slept in my bed at night; and would not let my family near me when ever I was having a bad day. He was my constant companion for some sixteen years. Then I moved away, and I could not take him. My mom promised to care for him; and she did, but we were both heart broken to be apart. nearly a year later, when he became sick, I could stand it no longer, and I suck him into an apartment that did not allow pets. I held him and pet him and made an appointment with my vet for him; to see if they could figure out what the vet in my mom’s town could not. I never took him to the vet, though, he died in my arms that night. He was an old dog, probably nineteen or twenty by then, but he waited for me, waited to say his last good bye, because he always was my dog.
Some years have passed and I have gotten married. My husband was a devout cat man, and we own three of those, but I missed the love of a dog. Three years ago, my mom hid in my house with a puppy. My husband almost killed her, but she said a family was not a family with out a dog. Then my husband held Bastion in his arms, and felt the little ball of fur cuddle up next to him. Now I have a new dog, and he is not my dog, he is our dog. When my husband and I are working in different rooms in the house, Bastion will carefully cuddle with each of us for a time before placing him self exactly in the center of us and waiting. We are not sure how he does it, but he always fingers the place that is exactly between us, and waits for us to come together once more. I thought I’d known the most powerful love ever in my dog Muttley, and now I am experiencing it doubled in our dog Bastion.
That’s such a wonderful story Alicia, thank you for sharing it
I have 6yr old lab mix named Marie. She is the bright light in the darkest days. No matter what kind of day I have at work, when I walk through the front door at the end of the day, all 50 lbs of her are standing up on her back legs, front legs stretched up in the air as if to hug me, tail wagging away. I love my monster.
I had a toy poodle named Max for 16 years. I was 4 when we got him. He was there for all my milestones…he even moved with us to Florida from Ohio! He passed away this last December, almost a year to the day after my grandfather died. They were close, though my Papa would never admit it. You could tell Max looked for him whenever my Baba would come over, as if to say “Where is my friend?”. Maybe he couldn’t wait any longer. The morning he passed I came home and my other dog, a yorkie named Madison was watching over the basket we had him in. She was whining, crying. Days after she looked around the house for him. Now we have a puppy named Zoey, who loves more than her 5lb body should be able to. And now there’s a plot in the corner of the fence in our yard with lavender, a forever torch, and a bluebird ornament, with a headstone that reads about man’s best friend. I’ll never forget my Max…or my Madison nor my Zoey. I’ve never had a friend like any of these dogs. They are all angels in disguise.
I have a Pittie name Cassidy. She’s been through 5 kinds of hell before I adopted her, but you’d never know it. She’s the sweetest thing on the planet. All she wants to do is play and that tail of hers never stops wagging. I love her more than any person I know.
I have a dalmatian called SHADOW, as he IS my shadow. He is my companion and my best friend. I love him so much
I have a longed hair weiner dog named Weiner, he is so wise in his old age that i feel like i have my own personal Yoda.
I have a German Shephard thats 7 almost 8 years old he is the best dog ever he is so calm and lovable we named him in german si his name is varick.
i don’t own a dog, mine pass away 3 months ago.. i really miss him, he was a chihuahua of 7 years. a piece of my heart died with him, things aren’t the same anymore, he was always with me, in my happy and sad moments. i really want him back. by seeing this, i just couldn’t avoid crying. he was part of my family. now he is in a better place. dogs are humans best friends. take care and enjoy of your friend, you don’t know when you can loose it.
I just lost my baby, a Golden lab, just shy of his 15th birthday. He was my rock through all my career changes and moves. The hole in my heart is indescribable. I have another dog, a mixed Sheltie who I rescued in the Dominican Republic. She is an only child now, and though she loves the attention, she is still sad. This post was very moving. Our dogs are always there for us, no questions or qualms. They teach us so much bout love.
I have two dogs ,Charlie is a mutt and Buddy is a Lhasa Apso.Any time I feel down or Angry,just seeing their little faces,makes everything better.
This post definitely brought tears of both joy and sorrow to my eyes. Several months ago, we lost our house and had to give our four mini yorkipoos up. Winifred (Winnie), Rupert (Roo), Tigger, and Twila were the best companions and they never failed to bring happiness to the household. Losing them was one of the hardest things I’ll ever know. I think about them all the time and wish I could just hold them once more. Cherish your four-legged friends like there’s no tomorrow.
I technically have two dogs, Scrappy and Hercule.Scrappy is a cross between a maltese terrier, a poodle and a Tibetan spaniel. I’ve had him since I was 8 and I’m 21 now, he’s slowing down a lot and it’s sad, but he has a wonderful life, we take him everywhere, in the car on road trips, on holidays… everywhere. Hercule is my boyfriends dog. He originally belonged to his sister and when she died the whole family took up looking after him. He’s a full sized pug, which is a surprisingly sturdy, strong breed of dog. He has the loveliest temperament of any dog I ever met and his little wrinkly face and the funny grunts he makes because of his squished in nose never fail to cheer me up.
We have three dogs. All from local shelters. We don’t own them. They are family. Mister is a terrier mix who has diabetes. Cotton is a bichon who loves to cover her white fur with dirt. Jake is a corgi/terrier mix who loves to play. Wouldn’t give them up for anything.
i have a black lab (Bear) and a blue healer/black lab mix(Koka). i went to Europe for 20 days last month and my mom told me Koka was so depressed because i wasn’t home. and when i got home, she was whining and licking my face becasue she was so happy to see me! haha! i love her so much.
she sleeps on my feet every night. 
I don’t own any dogs. My five Boston Terriers own me!!
This was incredibly moving! I have two shih tzu’s and they are amazing. Whenever I cry they can feel my emotions and site next to me to comfort me We sit together and think together. I wouldn’t be so empathetic if I didn’t have me two puppies.
I got a rescue 3 yrs ago. Her name is Gracie and she actually helped me heal as we worked together to over come our abuse. She is my companion and my inspiration. She inspired me to go back to school to become a vet to help other people and animals just like her.
I loved seeing this and it make me cry! I got my first dogs last year and at age 21 and I have to say there is nothing in the world like owning and loving a dog. The way they get all crazy and excited when you get home and sharing your bed with them, the way they look you in the eyes I feel like they are saying thank you for loving me so. I would do anything for my dogs.
All I have are my two dogs. Without them I would have no reason to live. They are my life.
I love my best friend, shih tzsu, Oreo Bubba Rieger so much!
I would do anything to keep my dogs with me. They are family.
I actually have three dogs. They are so cute! One is a chiwawa (I am pretty sure I didn’t spell that right), she is about seventeen now. My other dog is half chiwawa half pomeranian,and is five-ish…. and my last dog is half shih-tzu half poodle, and is two. We call her a Shit Poo, or in other words redundant.
[IMG]http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff478/msmelissaruth/2012-05-290650542.jpg[/IMG]
My sweet little “Critter”. Our first baby as a couple!
So much more love in our house!
Well this is really depressing to read.
My dog died last month
RIP emma
Dogs are great, I have seven rescues. I believe the most moving pictures for me were the homeless sharing the little they had with their homeless dogs. That is true love.
I’ve had dogs my entire life. And I really do mean entire. The first dog I really remember was our yellow lab, Rusty and he was the kindest dog I have ever come across. He had patients galore with small children and absolutely loooovvveddd to play and swim and lick your face as long as you’d let him. A few years ago we had to put him down. He had terrible arthritis, kidney failure and had had a stroke. The vet told us there was also something wrong with one of his spinal disc, that just couldn’t be repaired and because of it he was skin and bones. It was terrible, but I was happy that he wasn’t hurting any more. Six months later my parents got their first puppy, a boxer/cane corso mix. His name is Cain. I was off at university when he first came home, so I didn’t really get to know him until I moved home that April. My parents had really gotten into watching The Dog Whisperer since they’d gotten Cain. At first I refused to watch it because I thought that Brad Pattison was the king of dog behaviouralists. When I finally started watching it my entire life changed.
He makes sure we walk every morning. He’s a ball of energy until he comes home from that walk, and then he’ll snuggle on the couch with you all day, just like he is right now. Being a bulldog Volks has taught me how to have the patients of a monk and my confidence level is through the roof. He’s so tenacious that sometimes we have to repeat the same action fifty times over until he finally does what I want. These three important dogs showed me how to love unconditionally, how to care for myself, and how to take responsibility for all things in my life. I would never have become the independent grown up I am today without them.
I’m sure there are a lot of people that don’t believe what Cesar Milan has to say, but I can assure you that it all worked for me and it made my life incredible. The first thing I learned was that I needed to apologize to Rusty for never walking him enough. If he was lucky he’d get three ten minute walks a week. After a few short episodes with Cesar I knew that Cain was going to be a whole new experience. It was the summer and I wasn’t working. My younger sister and brother were still and school and both of my parent’s worked most mornings, so I took over caring for Cain until everyone was home. He was only six months old at the time so I established a nice routine. I’d get up eat, shower and then immediately take Cain on a walk. Being a puppy, his energy was limitless so I quickly learned that he needed to be out for at least forty minutes, even with the super hot sun. Through Cesar I learned how to be aware of every single thing my dog did, and everything he was feeling which helped me to keep Cain calm and to deal with his teenage tantrums! This taught me self confidence. If you want to be able to teach a dog as hyper as a boxer or boxer mix who’s boss, the first thing you need is confidence and respect for yourself. If you can’t trust yourself, why should your dog? But the most important thing I learned that summer was how important dogs were to my health. I have cystic fibrosis, so physical activity is something my doctors are constantly trying to push on me. But I was never sporty as a child, I hated running and working out. Cain showed me a way to keep him happy and myself healthy. Soon we were going on hour and half long walks and feeling fantastic when we got home. When I moved back to school I was heartbroken, I’d spent every day with Cain and now I was seriously missing him. When my boyfriend and I moved in together it took me no time to convince him that we needed a dog. And now was have our Frenchie, Volks. We adopted him from a family that just had no time for him. Volks is the most loving dog of all time. He likes every person and dog he meets. Small children are his favourite because he spent the first ten months of his life with two little girls. When we brought him home he even had washable marker drawings on his side.
Jayme, your story touched me, not only for so eloquently writing what a powerful impact that dogs have on our lives, but to help people be aware that, they too, can experience their dogs gifts and lessons(if we just pay attention). Your story will be an inspiration to those that do not know this already. I have a special dog right not that was “gifted” to us, from a harsh background. He has truly been our “Angel Dog”.
After years of begging (haha) my mom finally let us get a dog. We got Riley (a Cocker Spaniel) just after I completed 11th grade and he fit into the family just perfectly. I’m in college now, and the best part of coming home is having him greet me when I walk in the door, just out of his mind with excitement. I can’t imagine my life without him.
While I agree that our dogs are very special and will always be loyal to us, and never leave our side, if you’re homeless you shouldn’t put your dog through that also, because they need proper food and shelter. I’ve seen this a few times and it always breaks my heart because those dogs need to be rescued, as do their humans actually…. we have two dogs, a 4 yr old basset hound and 1 yr old min pin mix. Both are adorable, sweet and so much fun. I paid a lot for our basset as she’s AKC and pedigreed, and we found our min pin mix abandoned in a box on the side of the road when she was about 6 wks old. Both are priceless to us
I used to feel the same way as you do about homeless people with dogs until I began living in a community with a large number of homeless people and got to know several of them. Through discussions that I’ve had with these people I have changed my mind about it, and now recognize that a dog can be treated extremely well on the street. One disabled veteran I know named Philip takes incredible care of his dog (named Barack Obama), he has found resources for free flea medication, whenever he is given leftovers from passersby he gives all the meat to his dog, and his dog sleeps in his tent with him. Prior to adopting his dog he was addicted to speed, and credits the dog with being the number one reason he got clean, because according to Philip, “Barack Obama just doesn’t like me when I’m high. He growls at me. I love him too much to do that to him.” And the two of them are never apart. Sure, the dog spends a lot of time filthy, but I’m pretty sure my dog would happily exchange all the time I must spend away from him for some filth.
God obviously sent that dog to your friend and that is a very good thing. Praise God! I’m sure that is the exception to the rule though. I’ve seen dogs with homeless people and they’re always starving, emaciated with matted hair and miserable. So I’m sticking to my opinion, but very glad your friend’s dog is his Angel
I feel the concern for the dog is the more important scenario. I’ve seen both sides with people that have homes that have dogs that aren’t taken care of, and then you have homeless people that love their dog so much that it is well taken care of. Also, I went to Nicaragua at the beginning of this year with a program called VIDA. VIDA is an organization that gives vaccines and fixes dogs and cats that are in desperate need in 3rd world countries that do not have the resources that the USA has. I also volunteer with a rescue ranch here and as we will not adopt out to homeless people because we want homes for the dogs, we are selective in who we adopt out to. We have a lot of pit bill mixes and want someone that loves them and won’t fight them. The problem with trying to rescue everyone is we can’t. There are simply not enough resources, and there are far too few responsible owners. A dog or cat is as much a part of the family as a child. If you haven’t been able to see the personality that they bring and have, you haven’t been a responsible owner. Another factor is, I may believe in no-kill but there are circumstances that I feel it is responsible, but if we had laws that would enable that owners have to get their pets fixed, I feel we could eliminate killing helpless dogs. I believe that a dog that is loved should stay with its owner and not be taking away as long as it is healthy, and that the USA should create a non-profit organization to help with giving vaccines and spaying and neutering animals for free or at a very discounted rate for the people that are homeless and want to give there dog the best life.
Cesar Milan says that dogs belonging to homeless people are generally the happiest, most socialized and content dogs he’s seen, as they accept that their owner is their pack leader and follow them around their territory on their daily travels. As well, there is never the separation anxiety experienced by dogs left at home all day while their owners are at work.
A rescue lady I met recently, said to me even poor people deserve pets! Have you ever thought that maybe nobody wanted those dogs? Do you realize how many dogs are abused and abandoned daily? The love and kindness shared by the homeless and their dogs is something that people who have everything to give to their pets will never know! I would stake my life that if the dog had the choice of every comfort or the choice to choose love, he or she would choose love! Wouldn’t we all? I am glad that these folks have a pet to love and cherish….we should all be so lucky as to be that bonded!
So well said! I have read all the comments and have been on both sides of the homeless issue (though my name is Debbie, I am the Debbie that responded to Jayme). I once was homeless for 3 months. Two of my new friends had dogs. They would get food for their dogs to eat, before them. And if they ever overlooked giving anything to their dog (even a drink of water if he panted), everyone would badger them to do what was right or do it for him. I firmly agree with the above comment about the love given and recieved between homeless people and their dog. It is probably more than a homeowner has time for. Who can measure love? One thing is for sure, a dog’s love is unconditional. They ARE loyal. And, by the way, my dog was “gifted” to us by a friend, who when he began living in his car, did not want to stress his dog out anymore (and he didn’t know how long it would last). He loved him enough to give him to us. But that is not to say that the dogs that homeless people have are disadvantaged . In the end, it only matters how much we loved.
These pictures are so heartwarming and touching. I currently have a 5 year old Chihuahua and I’ve literally had him since the day he was born. He is attached to me at the hip if I leave he is okay because he is also attached to my boyfriend but as soon as I come home he is right at my feet whining and licking me to get me to pick him up and hold him. However I had a dog that was half chow and half lab from the age of 5 until I was 20 he was a year old when we got him and had gotten him out of an abusive situation. My granddad had been visiting a co worker and one of their friends had brought their dog with him and started beating him in front of them because he had accidentally knocked over a drink. My granddad knocked the guy out and came home with his dog,went to court over it and won ownership of him. He was so timid of men most of his life but he was the best dog I could have ever asked for. He was protective and gentle and such a good cuddle buddy. I miss him terribly
But I know from experience that a dogs loyalty is unlike any other.
Heey, My dog´s name is Nina and about 3 months ago she started looking a little bit under the weather; she stopped eating, she breathed heavily and mostly she hadn´t been the happy dog she always has. so first I tried to make her feel better and when I couldn´t I took her to the Vet, He did some tests and found out that her liver and spleen were enlarged and that she had to undergo surgery right away. I was so scared. It was a life or death situation and everything could go wrong. The vet even told me he thought she wasn´t gonna make it…
Nina is almost 12 years old, she is a Schnauzer and she has been my best friend since the day she was born. She sleeps with me on my bed every night, she follows me where ever I go and she is loyal as no other dog is.
After the operation was finished I was out there waiting for her, I came to the little room where they held her and she was soundly asleep. When she finally woke up, she couldn´t get up but she made such an effort and managed to move her tail as soon as she saw me, well as soon as she heard my voice… I don´t know why, and the doctors don´t either but she lost her sight after the operation. She also lost some control of her back legs. It is sad because she was not the dog that she used to be, she crashed into walls, fell off some stairs, and got lost many times. but you know what? it is amazing how quickly she adapted to all of her surroundings; she never runs into walls any more, she walks freely around the house without any problem and we even built her a little stair so she can climb up my bed at night.
She´s a happy dog. I can´t explain how amazing she is, she is even more close to me than before, she licks my face more often, she defends me from strangers even more, she wags her tail even more…. I don´t know, I´m just happy she´s alive…
what a beautiful story! Nina is lucky to have you and you are lucky to have her.
Moko my Golden Retriever was very badly injured a month ago. I came home to find the living room window broken and you can´t image the scene when we came in! He had jumped at the window, probably trying to scare someone away and cut his right front leg on the glass. The vet said he had probably cut himself 15 to 20 minutes before we got home because the blood was still fresh. He had tried to jump on the bed when he got hurt but only made it to my bedroom wall. I still tar up thinking about it. My husband had to help the vet fix his artery and muscle. Hardest thing he´s ever had to do! He limped for about 4 days but we were relieved they didnt have to amputate his leg. 2 weeks later the stitches came off and to our surprise, no limping!! He was anemic for a while but it´s all in the past. Love my dog!!
I got my dog Rylan from an animal shelter, he looked scared to death to be there and in the span of a few months I lost my favorite uncle and the dog I had since I was in 5th grade, so I didn’t know if I was ready for another dog, but I missed the companionship…and then I found Rylan…it was love at first sight for both of us, and despite a rocky start, him destroying the love seat, shredding toilet paper, and eating cardboard like mad. He has become a sensational dog. He’s a lot of fun, he keeps me active, always misses me even when I’m gone for 5 minutes. He also loves to snuggle and he is so much fun to be with, when I’m sad or upset he thinks that rubbing his ears is the answer to all of life’s problems. I found out he was a German Wire Haired Pointer, American Foxhound and Dachshund mix and well apparently that mix is a good one because I couldn’t think of a better, more docile, happy, and loving dog.
In my adult life Iave been ‘owned’ by six wonderful dogs–three Scottish Terriers, one Irish Terrier, one Collie and now a Shiz Tzu. One Scottish Terrier, the Collie and the Shiz Tzu were rescues. I could tell wonderful stories about each and every one of them but instead I want to tell you about a delightful dog story I heard yesterday from the mother of a three and a half year old little boy.
Seems that nine years ago the newly married couple almost instantly had their first baby when they adopted a Weimaraer puppy. She said he is pretty large for a lap these days but no matter, he still believes the laps are big enough for him. She said they love the dog so much and have always treated him with with hugs, kisses and made over him “something awful.”
Then their real child came along and they never worried about the baby and the dog. Everything was fine and continues to be fine except that now the child is 3.5 and sometimes gets on the dog’s last nerve. When that happens, the nine-year-old Weimaraner finds the mother and proceeds to “tell’ on the little boy. She said the dog, while glancing periodically back in the direction of the room the child is in, doesn’t bark at her but makes a variety of “grunchy” noises. She will then go to the next room and ask the boy if he has been badgering the dog. And the child hangs his head anf confesses that he has!
Smart dog and what a nice family!
So I guess we’re all ignoring the dog marble tombstone has the word Nig on it.
Yep, let’s ignore it. No point jumping to conclusions and taking offense. Probably short for Nigel. Then that would be Nig with a long ‘i’ (kind of rhymes with Tide, sort of).
I have a black and tan Dachshund named Izzy. I have always been a lover of big dogs, but she is the sweetest, smartest, most personable dog ever. She will never bite anyone. No matter what, and she is always with people. She knows how to play dead when you say “bang bang”, roll over, bark, say “i love you”, sit, shake, high five, and lay down. She understands most things we say. “no more ball”, “its in the bushes” , “go upstairs” and she always listens. She used to be rippling with muscle. Literally, she was the most fit dog ever. She jumped in the pool for the ball, caught it from the back porch, and ran around for hours on end. I even saw her climb the limbs of a tree for the ball once. But because she is a dachshund, she has a bad back. All the stairs and play have given her arthritis. and now she is a fat, tired, sweet, old angel. She tries to play, but tires quickly. It makes me so sad. I have never had a better dog.
I’ve always been a cat person, but we got a black lab 4 years ago. I adore that dog. He adores us. These pictures made me smile and cry. Thank you.
My dogs are both chocolate labs. they are the two most adorable things, and are so loyal i can open the gate and they´ll wait for me to move before they go anywhere.
Love these photos… Absolutely beautiful. My husband and I have a four-year-old Bostie and he is our pride and joy. He loves to lick my husband’s head for hours then try to stick his tongue up our noses, and our favorite thing is what we call the “spinnies.” When he gets really excited, he’ll spin around in circles anywhere from a minute to ten minutes at a time. Then he’ll run back and forth through the apartment several times and finally just stop and stare at us. It makes us drop whatever we’re doing to watch him.
i just love this. I have 3 rescues, a chow chow mix from hurricane katrina, a golden/border collie from British columbia and a german shepherd cattle dog that was thrown to the indian reserve in alberta and left to fend for himself… when we got him he was around 5 month and under weight by 20 pounds…he has yet to leave my side.
My family and I have a doberman named Schatzi. She is such an affectionate dog and knows how much she is loved by us. It is amazing how much love we can give to our dogs, because they are a part of the family and valued as much as any other member of the family. She recently developed a spinal disk problem where her lower disks were putting pressure on her spinal cord and she was rapidly losing function to her hind legs. The surgery was about 70% success rate and my mom called me and told me this and I cried at the thought of losing her. Thank God that the surgery was successful and she is still with us and is regaining function to her hind legs
Our dog Duke is a mutt but you can just see the hound in him (Basset, Beagle, Blood Hound, Coon Hound) When he howls (which isn’t often) u can hear the breed hehe.
we’ve had him for about…6 years I believe maybe longer and he’s so amazing and loving
He snores when he sleeps which makes us sleepy if we are sitting next to him XD
I don’t know what I’d do without him tbh
I own an American Boxer named Harley. I have had her since I was 8 years old, now im turning 18. When I got her she was going to be put down because she had seperation anxiety. She was 2 years old then. Now roughly 10 years later she still acts like a puppy. Though I don’t consider her a dog… to me she is a human. She knows when something is wrong and when to come to my room to comfort me. Alot of people I know say thats what dogs do. But I know its not. When I was about 9 or 10 I couldn’t find my twin sister Kat. I looked everywhere and I was scared something happened. Harley came to the rescue and found her for me. She is such an amazing dog I couldn’t ask for anything better. She is my pride and Joy
Thank you so much for this. I’m crying really hard right now.
I saw a chicken slaughtered at 4 or 5, little later my parents abandoned my cat and it’s been 20 years and I can’t forget her.
Thank you for adopting! I have two puppy mill moms (hate that people buy animals), four ex stray cats, they were all adults and sick, i don’t think we should choose by breed or age.
Oh, and I’m Vegan too of course.
Animals are the proof God exists are they not? ^_^
Cheers!
Does anyone know what kind of dog is the 5th from the top?
This one: http://www.momdot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ATT37015.jpg
I have just one like it (found it on the streets) and the vet said: “Well, it’s a mix”
This really touched my heart. Such a wonderful post!
My husband and I have a Chow-Chow mix and even though she sometimes drives me crazy, I could not imagine my life without her. My husband adopted her as a puppy when he was younger and she is definitely his daughter
. We love everything about her. She is so loving, loyal, and the sweetest soul anyone could ever ask for. She’s definitely the shining light in our lives.
We have a Newfoundland puppy, Padfoot. We’ve had him for a week and a day. We love him. He makes us laugh. He’s already watching over our little guys, which is a quality we wanted in a family/livestock dog. He plays with our children and has become a regular part of our family. Like, Charlotte, we’ve seen our children step up their responsibility and take care of not only Padfoot, but our bunnies, chickens and turkeys.
Loved those photos. My parents’ dog watched and looked for my Dad after he passed away six years ago and actually grieved for him. He’s gotta be 15 years old and going down hill, but my mom is hanging on to him because it is one of those last connections to my Dad, besides my sisters and I, of course.
You just made me cry, We have a dog that we picked up from a gully, couldn’t move his rear legs, I guess someone didn’t want to deal with it and they just drop it off, almost a year has passed and is alright, can move perfectky and is always at my feet, we just love him!!!!
You guys are good people, nice choice ^_^
Wow! This is a beautiful post. I am a dog owner of two. A dachshund/beagle mix named Tucker James and an italian greyhound, Berger Eisenhower. They are my world. They needed homes and I couldn’t imagine turning them away. My life would not be as complete. They are the sweetest, most genuine companions I’ve ever had the pleasure of being around.
right now 3,all dogs that nobody wants,they are filled with so much love that they give me,but their still a little shy,they have been abused,just throw out a lab,pappilon,and a shitz-su, I seem to find more cats that were roaming around my house,i guess they know go to Annette”s house she will take care of you…and guess what,all the dogs and cats get along……
Wow, there are good people in this world… I’m so moved.
After my wife, my dog is the closest friend I have. She’s a Saint Bernard, devoted to bath of us, as we are to her. When one of us leaves, she sits quietly looking out the window until they return, and then goes absolutely crazy till she gets a kiss. Then she runs to the other, bouncing up and down, very clearly says “look look who’s back” . Then she takes her usual position…asleep at one of our feet. When we take her out for a run, she’s dangerous. She takes off in a huge circle, then comes back at full speed..and she believes in full body contact. She weighs 135 lbs. She then flops down on you (you will be on the ground) and covers you in kisses. Have I mentioned that Saints drool?
There couldn’t be a world with her.
Just had to get up and go give my loyal and loving golden a great big hug and kiss. Even though the dang dog decided to go for a swim in the pool right before bed time.
This is great! Thanks for sharing with us. Our baby is a Boston Terrier named Rocky. Only he gets called Rock man, Rock Star, and a dozen other names. Mosty Wocky because he is a little funny/odd looking. We love that dog with all our hearts. I think we should spoil them rotten and we do.
Wow…this post really touched me. The one image of the black dog laying on the floor beneath his master’s casket, oh…my heart hurts!
We have a Goldendoodle named Quinley, She’s our little girl and I seriously cannot image life without her. She brings so much joy to our life. Dogs are just the most incredible animals.
First of all, I would love to say thank you for sharing this sweet and cute post. Bring my tears for a little bit. lol…
No wonder why we love dogs. They’re best and real friends, always faithful and love us with all their hearts.
Picking just one dog and choosing which have been the hardest things for me when deciding which pooch should be my first.
Oh dear. I felt a pinch in my heart with each photograph. This is truly an amazing thing. Having a dog in your life means so much as having your family beside you. In happiness and in pain, they never so much as shrug you off nor leave you alone. They never cared who you are now or before because they loved you for the very first time they’re with you. I could never describe the love and friendship a dog–A FRIEND–gives.
We have a 135lb black “Newfie” named Kahlua. We call her Louie and she is in fact a totally “Goofy Newfie”. Love doesn’t even begin to describe how a dog and a family relate to each other. Dogs are the best!
This made me teary eyed! My husband and I have a 130 lb bull mastiff and boxer mix. His name is Havok and he lives up to it (on occasion) but for the most part he’s a teddy bear. Couldn’t ask for a better friend.
Those are great
. We actually have 2 rescues 
. Gracie an English Fox Hound and Meeka a Huskey 
. I will always rescue dogs!
That was so cute! Buster is our little baby He is a Brussels Griffon. He loves to cuddle and will be the best little brother to our little baby!
Great post. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m a life long dog lover. (any animal actually.) Currently have an over-sized Papillion, who is a perfect dog for our household. Love having animals to share the home with. Our guy came from a wanted post I listed on Craigslist, after my Chihuahua of 13 years died. I can not understand how anyone could have given this dog away……but we are grateful.
I had a sheltie puppy. I got her when I was 15. Her name was sugar. My parents bought her for me when I was going through a rough patch with my depression. She was my best friend. My only friend. If I would start to cry, she’d just come up and sit on my lap. Just cuddle with me and lick my face. She slept with me of a night and everyday when I got home from school she’d act like she hadn’t seen me in months and jump all over me. She was about seven or eight months old when she died two weeks ago. She was the best dog in the world. It’s hard for me not to think about her every day. I miss her so much. </3
Oh wow I love these photos. That sums up dogs, yup. I have 9 dogs currently (huskies, crazy, crazy, wild huskies!! LOL) and each one of them is awesome in their own unique way. They’re all rescues, some are super smart, some not-so-much(haha). One, “Pooh Bear” is the HAPPIEST dog in the freakin’ world, NOTHING throws her off, I try to have a little bit of that excitement in my life every day. She helps. A lot. Woody is a big goofball, he’s gangly, not super-bright, but also LOVES everything. And everyone. He trips over his own feet but god he makes me laugh. Harris is a big, 80lb sweetheart who will climb on top of you if you let him. His brother Jack, is a bit more independent and doesn’t have an ounce of aggression. He’s the mellow stoner of the group, lol!!
Kuna is the resident geezer (13? 14?) but acts like a puppy. And still steals food off the counter. Helps that he’s 90lbs and tall.
Gracie and George are Inuit-X dogs and at 12yrs old now are just calming down, thank GOD. We lost her sister a few months ago.
But they are still kickin’ ass and making me smile every day.
Esther is the most serious in the yard and keeps PB & Woody in line. But she still looooves to chase the ball.
Ivy is a unique dog in that she HATES men, (good thing I’m single!). But she adores me and a few other women. SHe can be totally psychotic (with other dogs who pi** her off) or a total sweetheart.
But they are all AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have 6 dogs as of right now and love them all so much. Callie is my 7 year old sheltie, I got her after my great-grandmother passed away we all needed some kind of comfort so my mom and I drove to just look, but ended up taking Callie home with us. I had another sheltie Tyke who passed away a few years ago it still hurts every day that he’s gone. I miss him so much. All of my other dogs are rescue dogs. I found all of them or rather they found me. Hoss is my 4 year old blue heeler who I got out of a trailer home. He is so incredibly smart I know he understands everything I say to him. Pepper is my pound puppy (its literally a pound they still use a gas chamber as a way of euthanasia, its horrible) She is also a blue heeler who was put in the pound simply because the husband told his wife to get rid of her. She has a broken rib and healed improperly and sticks out a little, but it doesn’t seem to bother her. She was 2 years old when I got her, she’s now 6 and very happy. Rex is a lab mix who was abondoned at the vet clinic I was working at when he was only 8 weeks ago. The people just didn’t want him, and I’m so glad they didn’t because I adore him. Rex is 4 years old now. Bindi is a plott hound mix. She just came up to the house one day and never left. I had never seen so many fleas on such a tiny puppy. I had to give her bath after bath and I felt terrible because each time I put her in the water the fleas would run up to her head to go all over her little sweet face. She 3 years old now and all hound always howling and barking at something. She’s so full of energy, but she loves to be loved. Finally there is my sweet boy Maxwell Sneaker or Max, the terrier mix. I found him along with his 4 brothers and sisters on a dirt road in December. They were so hungry, cold and weak I took them away immediately. They all ended up being fairly healthy except one… Hank. Hank didn’t make it he developed early stages of parvo and I could see in his eyes he was giving up. My heart went out for that little puppy and I did the only thing I could and gave him peace. I found wonderful homes for the rest of the puppies and they still get to see each other. I fell in love with Max immediately. He has wire hair, an overbite, huge ears and a curled tail. I love this little guy so much, he never leaves my side. I love all of my dogs and how different they all are. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
I have an Australian Shepherd named Iko. He will be 9 in June. I adopted him from the Aussie rescue folks 4.5 years ago. He is my constant companion. He comes with me to work, he travels almost everywhere I go. He is not perfect, and neither am I. We accept each other as we are. He smiles at me, I smile back. We talk. He is still learning that when I do leave I will be back. When he is not in the car with me, I simply miss him. He is my closest family. Some have trouble with that concept. I do not
Our family has an akita chow mix who is now 8 soon to be 9 years old. She was found as a puppy on the side of the road and had been abused by her former owner. Although headstrong, she has been one of the best dogs we have ever had. She is great with children, a great guard dog, loves to play and has the quirkiest personality. I don’t know what we would ever do without her! She even gets along with our families cats!
love your dogs and your pix. I have an awesome rat terrier sleeping in my lap. She is a mighty huntress and has dispatched many a varmint in her days with me. she was dumped on my dead-end road nine years ago this week. I have been blessed with many wonderful dogs in my lifetime and they have all been precious and wonderful beings. Thank you for your very fine web-site. it was just what I needed this morning. Thank you.
We have a rescue dog named Cody. He’s a huge, black lab/greyhound mix weighing in at 105lbs and stands 32″ tall. He is a wonderful, loving, caring, empathetic pooch who is not only perfect for us but also the best friend of our 18-month-old son. We adopted Cody from an animal rescue who saved him from euthanasia on his scheduled death date. How someone could have abandoned such a loving, sweet dog I have no idea, but their ignorance was our invaluable gain. Even after two knee surgeries to repair damage from a congenital malformation, Cody is and will always be the best dog for us in the world.
I have a maltese/lhasa apso little girl named Georgea. She is the sweetest dog ever (even tho her breath isnt so sweet :p). I got her when I got stationed in the cold north and my husband had not quit his current job yet to come be with me while I served in the military. I was lonely. I needed a friend. So i looked in the paper and found a breeder. I called her and asked her if she had any small female dogs and she said yes. She lived about 85 miles away. So after work one day I drove all the way to see the dogs. She brought me a couple and non of them stuck with me or grabbed my heart. But then she brought me the last female small dog she had and she said that she had some offers on her but nobody wanted her. I asked why and she said because she has 2 different colored eyes. She then proceeded to tell me that if nobody adopted her within 2 days that she was going to be given to the pound for euthanasia. I thought that was awful and sad. So i looked in this puppy’s sad little eyes and told her that I would take her home and love her until she passed away naturally. I gave the puppymill breeder the money and left. I love my dog so much. She is so sweet and she never growls. Oh and by the way, her best friend is a solid white CAT. They snuggle and give each other baths and share food and wrestle. Cutest thing ever!
I have a chiweenie. His name is Wicket, and yesterday I thought he was going to have to be put down. He’ll be ten in September, and has had diabetes since he was 7. He stopped eating, stopped moving, and started shaking. I don’t know what my vet did, but in two days… he’s my dog again. I know his time is coming, much sooner than I’d like, but at least I have a little while longer with him. This post… it made me cry. In a good way.
We have four dogs, but only one of them is a rescue(none of them were purchased, but only one can be considered a true rescue). her name is Maggie. She is a three year old dachshund-terrier mix of some variety. She was found wandering in a business district of a city not too far from where I live. My older sister’s friend found her during a lunch break with a bigger dog(the other dog went to the humane society), but maggie got to go home with her. She couldn’t keep maggie, so she asked my sister if she knew anyone who could take her, and she told my mom. My sister, my mom, and I drove over there and apparently my mom took a look at her and said “Yup!” they walked out to the car where I was waiting, wrapped her up in a towel, set her on my lap, and she has been my best girl ever since. She is my baby. I would do anything for her like she was my child.
I have a 5 pound Yorkshire Terrier, just one year old: Aiko. I got Aiko after I had a mastectomy and was going through chemo. This dog loves life and keeps me focused on what really counts. My husband died four years ago from cancer, and we had a dog, Zak. He was my husband’s dog… so loyal and dedicated. When my husband died, Zak would not eat or do anything. A girlfriend of mind ‘adopted’ Zak for me but a little over a year later, he died of cancer.
Your pictures are so moving.
I LOVE DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My dog is the bestest! She is a Siberian Husky and we rescued her. She is a big fur ball, but I love her all the more! Her name is Niobe from the Matrix. My cousin named her…
Aww, This is absolutely adorable! Dogs are so much more than a pet, they are a best friend.
We have three deaf rescue dogs, they’re all mutts or undefined breeds and they’re the best dogs in the world. Seeing them all sacked out in their beds as I write this makes me feel accomplished. Even though I may not have done much in any given day the fact that my dogs are tired from wrestling, walking, playing, and entertaining me with their antics makes me happy.
you are amazing!
Our dog Tucker stayed with my husband as he crawled for over a mile after being injured in a hunting accident. Tucker had to be restrained by onlookers as my husband was eventually loaded into an ambulance. No truer friend there ever was!
what a fantastic dog you have!
If it had not been for our pugs, 2 little fawn girls, one names Polly Prissy Pants (Prissy) and the other named Hattie May (Prissy died 2 years ago, and we rescued a little black male named Lord Nibbler, I don’t know how we ever could have laughed in the last 3 yeas after our daughter died. They will come and smell your tears, put their paws on your shoulders and look anxiously in your eyes, and cuddle tight against you. No one can tell me that they don’t love us, or that they don’t deserve the diligent care and attention we give them in return.
I adopted Amos from the ASPCA 8 years ago. He is a Golden. He is always there no matter what. When I fell at work and had a concussion he never left my side. He knew that I needed him to lean on when I got up until my head stopped spinning. A dog’s love is unconditional. Ever the most mistreated dog will respond to love.
We’ve always always always had dogs. And they have almost all been shelter dogs (a couple were given to us…not bought). They have all lived long, happy lives – I will never get a dog from anywhere but a shelter…my husband and I’s 1st dog together died last July – he was 17. He was a jack russell mix & just the best. We now only have one dog (we had 3 for a long time – a big mutt named Banjo who died when he was 12) Bailey who is almost 12 and is a jack russell/fox terrier mix. He’s wonderful and I just can’t imagine life without him.
Your captain is so cute!
Love the story, but why not get a dog from a breeder? They need homes too. We had a shelter dog who was just the most awesome dog ever. But he passed and now we have two others that we got from breeders that are just as awesome.
i would never get a dog from a breeder…there are too many animals that are put to death for no reason that provide the same love and companionship. Breed dogs wouldnt need homes if people stopped creating animals for profit.
Wonderful photos. We adopted a yellow lab/great dane mix 2 years ago and he’s the love of the family. I can’t remember life before we got him!
I love our dog so much – he’s a shelter rescue and absolutely the greatest dog ever! These were adorable pictures – thanks for sharing!