For those of you who own a dog ( and lost one ) this is well worth watching.  Jimmy Stewart is a classic and his reading of his own poem is entertainment enough.  But the most memorable is the end.  Watch the whole clip.  It's only a few minutes.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUNJjIwlHk8

I lost a cattle dog, Dream, this summer.  She died in my arms.  It's painful and I too was glad to see the emotion in many of my friends and how they understood my pain for "just an animal".  And now Jimmy Stewart.  James Dobson expressed the same profound pain for a pet of his own that he lost. 

I wonder if God didn't try to explain to us His unconditional love by sending us these creatures.  I think it more than ironic that Dog is GOD spelled backwards.  I like to believe that anyway.  : )

P.S.  Cutter, you're in good company.  Sorry to hear about your loss.  I hope your dog is playing with mine right about now.

During my lifetime I've never not had a dog, from my childhood to the present. The hardest part for me is holding my pet in my lap, telling him it will be ok as I stroke his face, ears and neck. As the vet searches for his vein, I want with all my might to tell him "NO, STOP". That wouldn't be fair to this most loyal animal, who has given me so much laughter, joy, companionship and yes, love.

It takes a long time to forget. You don't all together, but the pain does lessen, and sometime later you can talk fondly about his life and quirks. It takes a while for the new dog to be totally accepted. At first he is almost resented, because you feel he will never be able to replace the one you just loss. As it grows older and matures, the true bond starts anew, and once again there is laughter and happiness.

There has to be a place for all of the animals who have served us so well, and given us so much joy. How can there be a heaven, that is supposed to be absolute happiness, without the membership of our dogs? It would be a lonely place indeed, without their presence. There are few animals that give you unconditional love, regardless of your circumstances. In return he only wants some affection and necessities.

What a wonderful gift we are allowed to share!

Like Gard, I can not remember ever being without a dog around the house.

Lost a special one last year, a hunting dog that I trained myself and we spent 12 great years together in the outdoors. I still miss him alot.

This past weekend we awoke at 1am to a puppy crying, howling, in the front yard. Found a 3 mo old pup trembling in the cold.....took her in, feed and water and a warm place to sleep.  Found her owner Sunday afternoon, 2 blocks over, she had gotten out an wandered off.  I kept wondering what am I going to do with another dog right now.....but would have gladly kept her if need be.  I currently have 2 dogs, 3 cats and 3 horses so the vet knows where I live.  I do believe we will see them again someday, I sure hope so.

Gard has said it well and for all of us who love our dogs and horses, we have been there, done it & it is never easy so we all know what those who have had recent losses are feeling.   I have always had a dog in my life & can't imagine life without one.    They are members of our family and go camping with us all the time. The hardest was a terrier I named Scruffy & I found her in a parking lot & had her 20 years.  We always have at least 2 so when we lose one, we still have one to comfort us.  For the last 15 years or so, we only adopt either from a rescue or a shelter & try to find one that will fit our lifestyle & give it a forever home and have encouraged our friends to do the same.  I am so saddened by all the animals in shelters that are looking for forever homes that have so much love to give.  Over the years we have adopted 6 and they have all worked out & lived long happy lives. When someone has only 1 dog and it passes and they tell me they can't go thru the heartbreak again, I try to remind them of all the love and joy they are missing out on by not having another one in their life & they could give one of these dogs a home and make room for another dog that might otherwise be euthanized due to lack of space.  The joy & love far surpasses the pain & we will always have those great memories.

Heart breaking news:

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/hero-dog-target-euthanized-by-accident-in-arizona-shelter/19719549

"The agency said Target did not have a microchip and was not licensed in the county."

   Interesting that the agency is putting the blame back on the owner for not having a microchip inplanted or a license in that county.  Pretty weak defense for the sloppy job of following what they call "clear-cut proceedures".  This was a celebrity dog ... thus the story makes news.  But if this employee doesn't follow proceedures, as the head of the agency indicates happened in this case, I wonder how many other pets have been mistakenly and needlessly destroyed, but have not made headline news.  I hope the head of the agency will take responsibility for giving that employee the authoritity to make life and death decisions.  What a tragic story.  My heart goes out to the Young family.

My wife has talked about nothing else all evening and they are talking about it over on www.barrelhorseworld.com It is so sad I just want to throw up.

By the way, thanks everyone for sharing.  Four of our five dogs are rescues.  They wake up thankful each day.  So do we.