Capone & Sadie
These are my pit bulls. Capone is the big one and Sadie is the baby. Capone's original owner was my boyfriend's grandpa who passed away. When he did, no one would take him in and he was going to be sent to the pound and definately put down. So we took him in despite financial hardships. He is my heroe. My baby boy. My everything. He is the best decision that we have ever made. He is always happy to see us, knows when we're hurting and just need some kisses... I love my little boy to death and it kills me to know that people are trying to get rid of his kind... Sadie is my new babygirl and she has shown me how to be responsible and to love unconditionally. She has also taught Capone that it's ok to be a puppy and play sometimes. You can really see the difference in him since Sadie's been in our lives... I love my babies sooo much! They mean the world to me!

-Meghan, Stephen, Capone, and Sadie

Tyler
For several decades I lived alone, becoming an old fat hermit. For days I would not go out, had no friends and didn't talk with anyone except store clerks.
Looking for a companion animal I found Tyler, a 4 month old German Shepherd dog. A rescue lady, Reggie Conley, adopted him to me. It was amazing how happy Tyler was to live with me in a safe home. He quickly fell in love with me, and I fell in love with him. Tyler went everywhere with me in the car, to Home Depot, Lowes, Target, my Doctor's office, and even the emergency room when I gashed my head on a tree limb. People loved Tyler, they stopped to talk to him, pet him. For the first time in decades people were looking at me with smiles. My doctor said "You don't have any next of kin do you?" and I said "No". He said "I want this dog. He'd be perfect for my children." When my property manager met Tyler he said "What a beautiful dog! I want that dog!" Tyler was a magnet for happy people. He let people see that I must be a nice person to have such a good dog. So instead of being an old lonely hermit people were friendly and warm towards me. For the first time in memory life began to look like it was in color instead of just black & white.
Tyler is black & white with chestnut brown fur. But he is a colorful dog who brought joy back into my life. What a good boy!

-Verne Robinson

Zoom
Zoom is an AKC Welsh Corgi that is dedicated to making people feel better, (especially her human)! As a Pet Therapy dog and Animal Ambassador, Zoom enjoys going to hospitals, crawling into bed with the patients and cuddling with them. When she walks into a room, she never fails to bring a smile to the patients, their families and staff. She is a very special girl!

Sandy

Ember
Emmy is my heart!  She is a GREAT ambassador for the Rottweiler breed.  When kids/people want to pet dogs at our training class, Emmy is the one ALWAYS called on because she LOVES people.  She is the one dog that can be counted on to be sweet and give kisses, no matter how often she is asked!  All the kids in our neighborhood know her by name and they always make a point to come pet her when we are on our walks!  She is just a GREAT dog and I love her to death!!

-Candace Graham

Charlie
Charlie showed up in our front yard November 2007.  Evidently he was homeless and had followed another neighbor home but ended up at our house!  Our vet figured he was Queensland and Shepherd mix and about four months old.  We got him his shots, a micro chip and neutered. Charlie has turned out to be one of the best rescues we have ever had – and over the years my husband and I have rescued many.  Charlie is funny, sweet, mellow and very tolerant of others! We have rescued two more since Charlie, one from animal control (Cindy Lou Who) whose number was about up, and another (Pepper) that just “showed up” and was injured, and Charlie has taken them both under his paw. The little guy who was injured got special care from Charlie. Charlie seems to know he can totally rough house with Cindy Lou but has to be more careful with Pepper. Amazing. Charlie shares his toys, bed and food – he does draw the line at sharing a lap! Since Charlie is 75 lbs sharing a lap is out of the question anyway! Over the years ALL our rescues have had special places in our hearts all for different reasons.  My husband is 69 and I am 64 and neither of us would not know what to do without a dog or cat in our lives. We are firm believers that if you raise a pet with lots of love, play time, and of course rules that is the kind of adult pet you will get, just like kids. Even pit bulls, rotties, and other “mean” dogs can be and are the sweetest when raised properly.

-The Moore's
Bakersfield, CA

Jackson & Cody
Jackson our Golden Retriever and Cody a Chocolate Lab  give us joy beyond words.  I enjoyed this photo of  Jackson teaching Cody some lessons when he was a pup. These two are absolutely best friends and their enthusiasm for life is something to emulate. I truly look forward to seeing them every day because of their joy and unconditional love that is infectious. All our dogs have been a big part of our family as much as I have. We feel very fortunate to have had all of them in our lives.

-George Kohl III

Frijole
CH Ceja's Chiquito Frijole Negro is his registered name. I knew the moment he was born he was something special. More so that he would become a champion one day, I could not imagine all the rest that was to come. Not only is he a champion in the books he is one in our hearts. Frijole has brought so much joy to so many who have known him. He gave lots of love, joy , fun and extra time on this earth to a terminally ill little boy and on his last day was by his side when he went to heaven :****( He has been the medicine for the elders who have high blood pressure, especially for one woman whose medicine didn't work but just petting Frijole did. He was a secret friend to a man in a convalescent home, who wanted nothing to do with people but for 30 minutes a week Frijole was his confidant, in what no one will ever know but Frijole holds his secrets. He was a dance partner to an elderly  woman in a wheel chair and she was his taxi driver room to room having visits with all in the convalescent home. He has brought joy and laughter to so many and of all different ages. I will forever be thankful to our LORD for sending this three and a half pound four legged angel to us.

-Danna

Toby
I would have to say that my dog is the best friend I have. In 2006 I lost both parents. I came home from their house and cried and this dog sat beside me and cried every tear with me. He has brought me so much joy and the unconditional love is something that only and animal has to offer. My life would not be the same with out him.

-Pam Schafer

Chance
I have a special red head, an Irish Setter that helps children with reading skills through the PAWS to  Read program. He is a registered Delta Society Pet Partner. Throughout the school year he visits various classrooms and listens to students reading. His name is Chance. He is a retired champion putting to use his good looks and great listening skills.

-Jane Guidinger,
Pocatello, ID.

Chula
Chula is our 3 year old vizsla who loves people, birds, and running free in the country whenever she can.  She also provides us (my husband and son) with unconditional love and affection.  Despite having to leave her due to work, travel and the endless journeys that we humans face in life, Chula is always happy and smiling when she greats us on our returns. Chula asks for very little with the exception of food, exercise and our companionship.  She is an ever constant reminder that we remain grounded in the small and important realities of life:  love and family.  We are blessed to have her in our lives.  Here she is chasing butterflies or dragon flies in a nearby park.

-Nora Blay

Dixie
Littleriver’s Southern Lady CGC, aka Dixie, was a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  She was brought into our home as a family pet, but quickly, she became so much more.  My husband, Richard had polio as an infant and has never had the use of his legs.  Dixie decided that he needed more independence, and she could give it to him.  Dixie was a quick learner and her temperament and work ethic impeccable.  We taught her to retrieve any dropped item, to open automatic doors with her paws and to be nearly invisible when out in public.  Her number one job was to do what Richard asked, and she stayed focused on her job until she passed away in October 2007.  We currently have a male Toller who assists with some basic tasks for mobility assistance.  We are patiently waiting for another female with proper temperament and bidability to serve in the dedicated role of Richard’s Service Dog.  Yet, there will never be another Dixie, and any dog brought into our family to work as a Service Dog will have very big paws to fill.  We miss her dearly.

-Christie Canfield
Raleigh, NC