We got Snowflake in an unusual way.  One day we went to Weight Watchers for my husband and I looked for something in his trunk and he said, "No, don't go in there, you will ruin the surprise."  So, naturally I went in there.  I found bedding, hay, a cage, and food.  The only thing he waited for me on was to pick out what kind of rabbit I wanted.  We hadn't discussed getting a rabbit.  I was completely, happily surprised, as I used to play with rabbits at my mother's friends house in the neighborhood when I was a little girl and my husband used to have one for about a day when he was little and his mother wouldn't let him keep it.  Even in that one day, the rabbit he had profoundly impacted his life as he would watch TV and pet it.  He knew someday he would have a rabbit again.

We had to wait 3 months for the kind of rabbit I wanted.  We got her when she was 7 weeks old (11/20/09) at the pet store.  We picked the name Snowflake because she was all white but not albino, she had a little brown on the top of her ears and big bright black eyes with a little black under her eyes (looks like she had black eyeliner on) with a cute rounded face.  Her breed was a dwarf hotot.  I nicknamed her pretty girl.

We would let her roam the house when we were home.  She liked to dig out the carpet, hop around, sit in the small model of Yankee Stadium, lay down and watch me on the WII, and sit on a pillow next to my husband and watch Sean Hannity.  She loved family and friends, hopping over to them and smelling them, and letting them pet her.  She just didn't like them to tickle her on her fur.  Then as she got a little older she would jump on the couch and jump down.  Then a little while later we took her on a trip to North Carolina with us.  Oh, how she loved it.  She would sit on a shelf that was elevated in her cage and chill out.  We checked on her every two hours. 

She never got sick.  Every time we stopped people looked and said how cute she was and she was just laid back, relaxing and taking it all in.  A few months later, sometimes when I would brush Snowflake under her chin where she had an extra layer of fur (it looked like a double chin), she wouldn’t like it and she would put the brush in her mouth and push the brush away.  Then she started to know her name as when we called her she would always look and hop toward us, get excited to see us.  Then when we took her out and held her she started to give us kisses.  Then we would kiss her nose and she would stay there till we were finished.  When I got home after work I would sit and pet her for hours and talk to her as she just sat there.  She would eat out of my hand and when my husband or I gave her the papaya (just from the shake of the bottle) she would rush over and reach up for it.  I was even able to get her back in the cage by showing her the treat and then when she got back into the cage I gave it to her.   

Then all of a sudden she stopped eating and drinking and grinding her teeth which indicates pain in rabbits. We took her to the vet and we found out she had a hairball, gas, and behind the constipation was diahhrea.  She was having gastrointestinal problems.  They gave her injections twice a day for 5 days for pain, antibiotics, and dehydration.  During the week she was doing better.  The vet mentioned to us she was very lucky because he hadn’t seen a bunny that would hang on that long.  We took her home each of the 5 days except for one.  On Wednesday night, we gave her pineapple juice in a syringe, and Thursday night and Friday night we gave her in two syringes pineapple juice and mushed pellets, and the green part from the top of a carrot.  Thursday night she was kissing us again (for the first time since she was in pain on Sunday).  Friday night she was even eating hay by herself.  She was not grinding her teeth.  When we woke up Saturday morning (8/6/11) to take her to the vet for a set of shots, I found her in her cage passed away.  We are happy she died at home and that she was not in any pain when she died.  We gave her a burial.  We put some of her favorite toys and food next to her.

The hardest part is she was so young, she was just a baby.  She was only a year and 10 months.  We were told bunnies can live to be 5 – 8 years indoors.  She had a wonderful short life.  We learned a lot about bunnies (for example:  grinding teeth, we were told by the vet means she was in pain; and when bunnies shed to brush them everyday as opposed to once a week, how sociable bunnies can be, that they have very nice and gentle personalities, and how they are so lovable).  We love you Snowflake and always will.  Snowflake is forever in our hearts.  May Snowflake rest in peace and we should all be well, let us say, Amen.

We met Jake in May of 2003. The story goes that he was found wandering the Bronx and wound up at the Liberty Animal Shelter in Jersey City.  The shelter called me, as I had been in there a few weeks earlier looking for a dog to adopt, but could not find what I wanted. They found him. I walked in, and Jake turned his head, with those enormous ears. I fell in love.

Marek and I went to go pick up Jake at the shelter and bring him home to our apartment in Hoboken. We pulled six ticks off of him the first night! We tried to crate him in the kitchen, but he only barked. He soon found his way onto the bed, yep, every night. He also had a grand mal seizure that first or second night; that’s how we found out he had epilepsy. He spent the rest of that May weekend at the old Oradell Animal Hospital, when it was actually located in Oradell. 

In no time, Jake found himself very comfortable with us. We soon realized he was not friendly with other people or other dogs, and we knew his eyesight was not great . . . he always barked at people with rolling suitcases on the opposite side of the street (I finally realized rolling suitcases looked like other dogs being walked). I thought maybe we should have named him Quixote, since he was always barking and chasing after (seemingly) nothing (windmills??).

But Jake was so sweet at home. He had the ability to make me feel like I was the best person in the world, indispensable, adored. He would curl up in my lap, he would find every nook and cranny, settle in warm and comfortably, and he’d let out a big sigh, as if to say, “here I am, I am home.” He taught me a lot about myself and Marek.  Jake was in Marek’s lap when Marek proposed to me in that apartment in March of 2004.  Marek in his suit, and Jake looking spiffy in his furry coat, they were hard to resist.

 Jake would have to sit in my lap while I was watching TV, working at the computer, driving my car.  For him, there was no compromise on lap time.  I knew no one, human or other animal, who snuggled like Jake.

Jake and his adopted brother Harry, moved with us to the suburbs in 2007. Harry had joined us as another rescue (from Queens) in 2005.  Harry passed in 2009 of old age; Jake got me through that loss.  He stuck with me through another fourteen months of life’s ups and downs.  Jake was beginning to warm up to another member of the family, our son Lucas, who joined us in January of this year. As Lucas got a little bigger, Jake would lick his head and then his feet. Jake wiggled his way onto the Boppy pillow with Lucas, even though there looked to be absolutely no way he could fit. Jake would not be ignored; he demanded my love and attention and he also gave it right back to me.

As I write this, I mourn the loss of my little Jake, who died on July 2, 2011. I went back to work in June after maternity leave and I rushed home from work on June 29, hearing that my beloved Jake had been attacked by my neighbor’s newly adopted pit bull. I was not even home, and Jake was attacked in his own backyard; he should have been safe, but he wasn’t, as the other dog grabbed him from under the chain link fence. He survived, and he did really well at Oradell Animal Hospital for two days. He had surgery, and all seemed well, he even got up on his front legs when we visited him in the hospital, so excited to see us. But he wasn’t able to breathe well on the third day. Marek and I went in that Saturday morning and we had to let our little Jakie go; he had too much fluid in his lungs and they were filling up too fast.

Marek and I held Jake in our laps countless times to cuddle with him, we held him countless times to get him through seizures over the years, and I feel grateful that we we were able to hold him at the end, to say good-bye, to say thank you, to say I love you.  I sent up a tribute to my beautiful little dog, my Jakie, for all your teachings, your patience, for the times you made me laugh, and most of all, for your love. You gave it unconditionally; you were always there for me. You gave the best kind of love, you are woven into my heart and you will live on there as long as I am alive.

In 2000 my then boyfriend now husband Dylan & I went to our local humane Society to adopt a kitten. We knew we were going to pick the cutest little kitty they had to offer. It would be the first pet we had ever owned so we had superficial ideas about what we would choose. We entered the building & bypassed all the older cats straight to one adorable kitten. He was surrounded by many potential adopters wanting the same cute kitten. Quickly we grabbed a staff person and asked to take the little guy to the one on one room. He was everything we wanted. We wrote his I.D number down & raced to the counter hoping to adopt him before one of the many, many others also looking at him. 

As we walked as quickly as we could I heard the most obnoxious loud cry coming from a cage by my feet. There looking up at me was a very skinny orange tabby cat. Ugliest thing ever & we both kind of laughed at it. As we giggled at his loud cries I became very sad. Besides his hip bone sticking out he had a very large head & incredibly large ears. By far NOT the ideal looking cat. He was a year old & so scared. Very different from the healthy kitten enjoying all the attention we were about to adopt. I looked over at Dylan who by now had a sad look on his face also. I said no one is going to take this cat & everyone wants the other. Lets ask if we can bring him in the one on one room. In the room we sat him down & he continued to scream the horrible meow as he rubbed on our legs & feet begging to be taken out of there. I said lets just do it, he is freaking out in here. 

We named him Radar due to his large ears & quickly he became a very healthy big cat. So grateful & affectionate. He was playful, smart and down right funny. He fit in with us like peanut butter & jelly.. our new best buddy. Radar became a favorite amongst our friends & family. When visitors came over it wasn't uncommon for them to call for Radar as they walked in the door. Dylan's parents had never liked or owned pets & his father was allergic to cats. Surprisingly they too would ignore the sniffles & itchy eyes & cuddle with him. Radar & his father became very close friends. 

He was treated like our child, I would hold him like a baby as he slept. We would talk to him & he always answered back. We later got married then pregnant & my first worry was how Radar was going to handle it, lol. We had a very energetic little boy that pulled his ears, laid on him, hit him with toys, chased him around the house. That cat never bit him, every now & then he would place his open mouth on his arm and look up at us as a warning to get him away. For the most part they became great friends also. Later we had a second boy who's now 2 & Radar was now 11. Still in his older age he put up with these boys like a champ.

On June 12, 2011 my children went camping & I stayed home. I had noticed Radar laying at the bottom the the steps for many hours but just thought he was enjoying the quiet same as I. As I would pass him he would meow that terrible sound like always. I would say "hey Radar you lazy cat, watcha doing" and he answered back. I began to do dishes & all of a sudden our wall clock fell crashing right next to him. I looked over & the first thing I noticed was he didn't jump up. I ran to him & he meowed again at me. I said "HEY get up! " He just looked at me sad. I tried to stand him up & he just fell back down. I quickly scooped him up in my arms & carried him to the couch. I pressed on his back legs but they were cold & limp. Our local Vet was closed & I had no idea were the Emergency pet hospital was. I gave him water through a dropper and held him. He didn't seem to be in any pain & I was so confused. 

My hubby came home from work & he & his father rushed him to the pet hospital. He had a blood clot & the Dr.'s said he needed to be put down. We were in shock. My husband couldn't bear being in there & seeing Radar go. I couldn't bear him going without me there. So I stayed and held him. Kissing his neck as he fell asleep. We were all able to say good bye including my oldest son. We brought him home & buried him in the back yard. My son placed a picture of him & his brother in the box & gave him one last kiss. It's only a cat but we are all so sad & miss him terribly.

Mac was 14 years, 4 months and 28 days when he passed.  Scott, the Doctor and myself were there with him for his final breath. We provided him with all his greatest comforts for his last moments. He was in his own bed, that was very comfortable and some of his favorite toys, gently petting him and telling him how much we love him.  I could not see him suffer any more than he did in the last 24 hours.  He was a healthy aging dog until Sunday night Oct. 17th, one day before my Birthday, and then, he was not well at all anymore, however, there was a glimmer of hope until only Monday very early morning...and then it was a rapid decline.

For those who knew Mac personally, they will all agree he was a unique dog-person.  In all these years of life, Mac was my best friend, child, companion, helper and family.  He and I have done many fun things together and he was there during the hardest times and the best of times, by my side, faithfully, lovingly, always devoted to me and those closest to me.  He was extraordinarily smart too, sometimes it was uncanny how intelligent Mac really was. 

I have so many incredibly beautiful, funny, fun, warm and so much more memories to remain with me until my own very last days to come one day. I know he felt loved and cared for as did I from him.

Though I lost a piece of my heart the morning my Mac died, I know I can carry on beautiful remembrances of his remarkable canine personality with the greatest love and light, in what remains of my whole essence.

Mac truly sparkled in this world and everyone who he touched and came across saw that immediately.  Countless strangers (and celebrities too) would stop anyone who walked with Mac on the streets of NYC and Columbia County/The Berkshires (where he resided with me and his loving human grandparents for a small part of his life) just to exclaim recognition of how beautiful, handsome, chic, bright eyed, clever and striking he was.  He would pose for photo's when asked to have a picture taken, he seemed to know he was admired and really loved it.  He played in complete joy and happiness with his "best friends", Romeo (RIP), Chubby (RIP), Mai Fun.  Mac. ♥

Not a day passed where I didn't shower Mac with all the Love in my heart, and he obviously knew that; I never questioned that he reciprocated back that love, twofold. Our bond was something fierce.  I made sure Mac would eat a quality of food that I would eat myself.  Though I took him to the best groomers often, I bought a grooming kit and learned to groom him myself sometimes. I treated him like the special prince (dog) person he clearly was; it was simply because he deserved it!

My husband Scott came into his life in Mac’s later stage of being, but they both took to each other from the moment they met.  Mac seemed to "know", which spoke a lot about both of them.  We three completed "us" as a family as Scott rapidly learned to fully understand how much love and harmony a dog-person can generate within and all around.  At our wedding, Mac did not leave our side, even when we danced he wanted to be with his family no matter what.  Scott grew to Love Mac, and vice versa, very quickly. ❧  

When Mac was a young healthy dog of 2 he would pull me on my roller blades along the Chelsea Piers path that led us down to the West Side highway park to Battery City Park.  We'd rest on the grass in the sunlight and then turn around and return back home to London Terrace.  We did that routine with friends on blades and foot many times for a few of his youngest years; he was a vision of health and fitness.

Few people knew this about Mac but, as a young pup he would put his paw in his mouth when he laid down and out of concern I brought him to the Vet and after a few times examining him his Vet reported it was nothing more than the equivalent of a child who sucks his thumb.

When we moved to Spencertown for a year and it snowed everyday, instead of going to the local mountain to Snowboard, Mac and I would sometimes hike through the deep powder in back of the house, through the wide open land, he would bunny hop through the soft deep powder or stay right behind me as I blazed the path for him to pass as it was just up to his neck.  We'd go through the small strip of woods and hike up the hill together. As I snowboarded down the hill, Mac would run by my side smiling and when I'd allow myself to crash into the powder at the bottom Mac would come up and crash himself into the powder with me, almost laughing, and then we'd repeat that again for hours until we were tuckered out and go home.There are so many memories of Mac and with Mac. 

humbly and graciously,

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