Hunter & Hayley
In honor of National Dog Day I am sending a picture of my dog Hayley (she knows she looks good in izod).
She was rescued the day before her and her pal Hunter (2nd picture attached) were to be euthanized by ARV (Animal Rescue Volunteers) in Simi Valley, CA.
They are ours now and I couldn’t live without these pups! Hayley really saved my life when my mom died last year! She likes to follow me around, lays on my feet, give neck hugs and she talks to me too! She makes me smile when I am down and loves me always! Hunter is very laid back and loves his pillow and house. He thinks he is a small puppy and gallumps around making me laugh hysterically!
I am forever grateful for these wonderful pups and the joy, comfort and love they provide me!

-Denise Ludwig

Jason & Blix
Last week I was swimming with my dog "Blix," off my friends boat in Lake Champlain when I suffered a mild myocardial infarction.  I could feel all the energy draining from my body, and knew that I wouldn't make it back to the boat.  Blix knew something was terribly wrong, and came to my aid, letting me grab his collar as he swam us both back to the safety of the boat where my friend pulled us both out of the water saving me from drowning.  Not bad for a 10 Month old Golden.  I owe my dog my life, and am thankful every day that he is in it.

-Jason P. Stover

Cooper
How do you single out anyone pet?  I have four dogs that are all outstanding.  They have their individual character and personalities. If I had to pick one of them, Cooper is my Choc Lab.  He has endured way too many hospitalizations for his young life.  He has two new hips, his left knee was operated on twice and his left hawk.  During this time he was a trooper.  He has a gentle spirit, and unless you knew he had all these surgeries one would never guess. He is great with my other three dogs (two labs and a German shepherd) It is true, you rescue or help a dog, they are yours for their lives, unconditionally.   

-Beverly

Starbuck (the baby Rottweiler) was rescued from the animal shelter in Northern NM, then was moved to the Animal Humane group in Albuquerque.  We were working at an adoptathon when Starbuck showed up and I fell in love.
Starbuck has two heart murmurs but has miraculously healed my heart from the loss of my other rottie puppy a year and half ago.  Thanks Starbuck!!

Kaine (the doberman) used to belong to my cousin, who had been serving in Afghanistan.  Upon he and his wife's (who is also in the military) return home, they bought a condo, but were unaware of the breed specific policies the homeowner's association had, forbidding dobermans in the complex.  They tried to sell their house but unfortunately had to get rid of Kaine or be subject to fees and litigation from the homeowner's association. Kaine came to live with us and enjoys training and playing with his toys!!!

That's my pack and I am SO GRATEFUL to be a part of it - remember everyone - Punish the Deed, Not the Breed!!! Say No to BSL!!!

-Tina Hoff

Scooby
This is Scooby.  He is an American Pitt Bull terrior who is the most loving dog I have ever owned.  He is very special and dear to our family.
He wants nothing more than to please us and to be loved.  I wish everyone could become more educated on this breed since the media clearly
is not and gives them a bad reputation

Linda Adams
Tulsa, OK

Ginger Lee
Ginger Lee is a six year old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier living in sunny southern California.  Ginger Lee, like all Wheaten’s is puppy for life!  She plays, eats, runs, and laughs just the same as 5 years ago.  GL is so funny, she even knows the day of the week.  Every Sunday she gets to “brush her teeth”, meaning she gets a Greenie.  Sunday morning between 9 and 10 she comes in barking or a low growl asking for her treat.  What a smart pooch!

Michael Smith
Los Angeles, California

Mugz
I have been raising Tibetan Mastiffs since 1980 and quite a few of my beloved TMs have proven their hero attributes but here is my most recent one. My AKC champion male, Mugz (reg'd Chario Bohemia Bal-Jul, imported from the Czech Republic) is my barn dog. He watches the horses and notifies my house dogs of any problems.  One day we had a pregnant mare in for foaling out and breeding back to one of our stallions.  It was February and very cold in western Oregon, so all the barn doors were shut to retain heat.  The visiting mare was obviously down on her side, rolling to adjust the foal prior to birthing and she got her legs stuck on the wall which is called *being cast*.  She was not 
supposed to foal for another 2 weeks per the owners' calculations.  
Mugz heard the mare thumping the walls with her hooves, NOT a normal sound in our barn and though he is not normally a barker, he was incessant that night. I could not hear him because the house is 1/4 mile from the barn but my  house dogs heard him and set up a din to wake the dead.  After getting them quieted down, I heard the frantic muffled barks of Mugz and raced over to the barn to find the mare with a foal partially out and she on her back/side with her legs stuck up on the wall. I managed to get her rolled over to the normal foaling position, assisted getting the foal out who was alive and healthy and got the mare up in due time, to make sure she could stand as horses that are cast are quite often very shakey and can barely stand depending on how long she was cast.

Here is our beautiful hero, Mugz.

-Kristi Sherling

Misty
Misty is the love of my life. She is a Shiloh Shepherd. She has a great temperament. She is a show dog and has her International Championship. And Misty is our pet also. Misty enjoys life to the fullest. She loves the water and loves running and acting silly. She helps out at training with dogs who need basic obedience. We get a lot of compliments from people who want their dog to behave like misty when she is out with us. That is just misty. We love her and she brings so much joy and humor to our lives. We can't imagine life without her. A very proud Mom and Dad.

Haggis
Haggis is now 13 years old but when he was younger and we lived in Branford,CT, I worked as a hospice nurse at the first inpatient hospice in the USA. Florence Wald, one of the founders of the movement in the US used to bring her spaniel in to visit the patients. I also brought Haggis when I went in to pick up my paycheck...he brought such joy just being on a bed with a patient who would drape their arm over him on the bed and they would snooze contentedly for a while. Then on to another patient that missed their pet. When I asked a patient what they missed being inpatient the spouse, kids, etc usually were down the list and the family pet was number one! A Westie was perfect for this work as they do not shed and have hair, not fur, so allergies were not a problem.
His work was surely more low key than dramatic things that other dogs do but he brought smiles to many a face when they needed one most.
He is still my hero.