Annie came to us from a vegetable stand on the side of the road.   She was probably less than six weeks old when my daughter’s father handed her a box inside of which was an adorable puppy with legs that seemed much too long for her little body.   Mom was an English Setter mix.   Dad…well at first we thought Rotweiller but most likely a Doberman mix.   Whatever her background, she was a special puppy, our Annie, a/k/a  Anniebear.  She was a wonderful companion for almost fourteen years.

I had four Pekinese, mom, dad  and their two puppies    Annie was to be my daughter’s companion as she went back to university .  As everyone knows, finding an apartment that will take a dog is not easy.  So of course Annie stayed with me.  Later they both moved to Connecticut and they would come back on weekends, driving the I-95, with Annie unclicking her harness out of the seatbelt in the back and hopping in the front to try and sit on my daughter’s lap.  There were many of those incidents.   Back in NJ she would torment my little Pekes by rolling them over - until they got older and she seemed to understand that was no longer acceptable. 

As much as I loved my four darling little Pekes, each and every one of them, and think of them often, Annie’s  disposition was the sweetest of any dog I have ever had.  She was there through good times and bad.  She always knew if something wasn’t quite right, being there to snuggle close and kiss as if to say “everything is fine, I’m here for you”.   No matter which of us she was with, me or my daughter, she completely took over the beds, the sofas, closet floors, and our hearts.   She adjusted well when we both moved to various other residences.

Just before the first grandchild arrived Annie came to live permanently with me, her “grandma”.   Shortly thereafter we moved to a 2-family house, me upstairs and her ‘mom’ and her family living downstairs, so having “joint custody” was simplified.  For almost five years she was here when  I woke up in the morning and when I put the light out at night.  Here to hug goodbye when I left, and here to hug hello on returning.  Here to go for walks in the snow, on sunny days and  rainy days (well not so far in the rain if she could help it!).  And the rest of the time, just ‘here’ beside me.  I  retired in October 2009 and we got to enjoy every day being together.

She had had kidney/bladder problems for several years but medicines had kept everything in check.  In February 2010, however, she collapsed and had to be rushed to emergency.  For several months fluid therapy, daily at the end, helped to keep her comfortable and maintain a good quality of life.  Thankfully, no longer working, I was able to be home to give her the various other medications, special food and attention she required.  She was, however,  losing weight and it was obvious she was slowly deteriorating.  Our last Sunday together we went for a lovely walk in a local park.  But that evening it became obvious her health was quickly declining.  Tuesday, June 15, 2010, we knew it was “time” to let her go.   Our vet was wonderful and we were able to see her off peacefully and in the dignified manner that she deserved. Our hearts, of course, were broken.

Annie you are missed terribly.  The pain, tears and sadness will eventually lessen but you will always have a special place in our hearts.  We like to think of you as now being another bright star in the sky running and playing, once again like a puppy, with all our other pets who have sadly left us.

Our dearest Annie, you were very very special!  Thank you for fourteen wonderful years.

We will never forget you!

Jo-Anne and Stephanie

I lost my very best friend on May 7, 2010.  She was a mini Longhaired Dachshund  born October 31, 2002. Her birth name was Anna Stashia Hailey, but her regular name became Stashia. She came into my life on January 12, 2003 as a 3 lb. 9-week-old puppy. She was with me for a short 7 ½ years.

There were 2 cats that already lived in my home and Stashia was so little that the cats did not know what to make of her. She was that small she could fit in the palm of my hand. Stashia would chase after these cats in hopes of them playing with her. It was funny to watch the cats run from such a small dog. The cats did not want anything to do with this new member in the house.

Over the years I would sit or lay with Stashia and tell her my problems. With the way she would look at me and get close to me, it was like she understood what I was feeling at the time. I have sleep apnea and if I would stop breathing in my sleep she would come up to my face and lick me until I woke up and started breathing. I think she had done this many times over the years. 

It was so nice when I would come home from work, she would be here waiting for me, being so excited that I was home. I live in a second floor apartment and Stashia loved to go out and sit on the back porch. While looking all around she would let everyone know that she was the protector of our home by barking at them. It was funny because most people that she barked at had no idea where she was.

On April 30, 2010 I took Stashia to the Vet for a check up. She was healthy except for a bladder infection. Other than that the Vet said she was healthy. I came home from work the evening of May 6, 2010 (9pm) and there was no Stashia to welcome me home.  I went to the bedroom to find her in her bed. Right away I knew something was wrong. I watched her carefully all night. She seemed ill off and on throughout the night.

By the morning, I knew I wanted to take her to my vet for help. He could not find anything wrong with her but she was dehydrated and suggested she stay there for the day.  Being sick the way she was worried me greatly.  The vet said he would call me to let me know how she was doing. I did not hear anything from the vet all morning. It was now after noon and no call.

So I decided to go to the store to get more training pads for the floor and a new bag of dog food for Stashia.  Just as I was getting into my truck, my cell phone rang. I saw it was the vet calling and I had hoped to hear the good news that Stashia was getting better, but to my surprise the vet sounded sad.  He then told me that Stashia had passed on and they revived her only to have her go again 30 minutes later. He told me that she did not suffer because they had given her a shot of pain medicine.

My heart broken, the tears rolling down my face I went right to the vet to get my dear friend.  I called my dad and told him, he was shocked also. I then called my son and he could not believe that she died. My son called his sister (my daughter) and told her what happened. She could not believe it either. We all met at my dad’s home where we buried her in a nice place in his back yard.  I could not believe this was happening. Even now I miss her so much and I feel so sad. Stashia and I were as close as a man and animal could get. Now I have to believe she is in a better place. To me she was my best friend that I have ever had.  Good-bye my sweet friend I will always love you….

A-admire N-natures I-immaculate M-miracles A-about L-life

  I moved to Virginia after my divorce and had to leave both of our dogs behind.  One was a Cocker Spaniel - the second one we had since we got married.  It took about a year, but I was finally ready to get a dog.  I went online to Petfinders.com and saw an adorable 2 year old female Springer Spaniel mix.  I called the rescue group (Pet Assistance League),  The woman I talked to said that she would bring the dog to my home and mentioned that she would also bring a 7 year old male Cocker Spaniel named Bear.  I didn't want a male, I didn't want an older dog, and I didn't want a Cocker Spaniel.  Bear came running into my apartment, drank out of the toilet, knocked over my wastebasket and then jumped up on the couch and put his head in my lap.  I knew he was the dog I wanted.  I always told him he was the best dog.Every night I would say "Love you, Bear - love you forever".  He loved everybody and everybody loved him.  He brought so much joy into my life. 

Bear loved to sit on the arm of my old love seat and look out the window.  He would sit there for hours.

I had to move to another apartment and made sure that it had a patio door so he could look out.  I moved about two weeks ago, but  Bear only had one week to enjoy the walks and the scenery.  He went into congestive heart failure and I had no choice but to have him put to sleep.  I only had him for a little over two years, but they were the most wonderful two years.  I wouldn't give them up for anything! I'm sure his spirit still hears me saying "Love you, Bear - love you forever".

Marjorie Leech