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Karen (retiredhappy) sent this to me and didn't know how to get it onto the forum - asked that I do so - and it is worth it:

<sob>

Really hit my heart. Made me think of my little Belle who was born without retinas so has been blind her entire life. The breeder said she would have put her down had she known before Chuck and I bought her. Our prior vet told me she was "unadoptable" so I had a chip put in in case we are ever separated from her. It makes me really sad to think of all the dogs out there who would give people so much joy if they were given a chance. Too many people I know told me we should have gone back to the breeder and get another dog. I cannot imagine our life without her. She is as independent as she wants to be. It would be wonderful if everyone who can would give every shelter dog a new home.

Really gets to ya.

I saw this on Facebook and did a share on it because it was so good and people need to know.

My cousin sent me the following quote but she couldn't remember if the author was known or not....

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them.
And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.
If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog,
And I will become as generous and loving as they are."

For those of us that have been blessed to share our lives with several different dogs and/or cats through the years .....

BirdbyBird wrote:For those of us that have been blessed to share our lives with several different dogs and/or cats through the years .....

...and ferrets, in my case.

This is how I've always felt. the best tribute I could make to a beloved pet that I've lost was to find another that needs a forever home. Yes, its really hard to lose them. Buddy and I are coming to this place but I wouldn't give up all the love that I've received over the last eleven years he's been with me. We'll hang in there as long as the aspirin and glucosomine work for him. I can't put him to sleep just because he's slowed down and moves stiffly - if that was the case someone would have to put me to sleep, I'm darn near as slow as he is. We make a great pair.

What wonderful sentiments! In the 34 years Mary and I have been together we've shared the love of numerous pets, at one time 6 dogs (2 over the town 'legal' limit but no one was counting)! We never chose a pet, they seem to find us. We did rescue Pepper and Alabama off the streets, Pepper was being fed by patrons of a Denny's and quite eager to hop into our van, we think she belonged to a homeless person who abandoned her. Alabama was a tiny ball of fur on the highway, she would have been killed by a vehicle. She was all of 6 or 8 weeks old. None of our dogs came to us with known histories. One rescue was a pure bred Irish Setter brought to us by my dear brother, who got Happy from a friend, who got Happy from a friend ..well, you get the idea. Each has enriched our family. We currently have 4 rescues, 2 dogs, 2 cats and feel that this is what we can handle now but our legacy is that our children, now adults, are carrying on the rescue mission. (ps: our second daughter and husband have just adopted 2 male puggles! pug beagles.. the cutest, sweetest furry kids in the world!)