Blue
Blue is a retired show Yorkie.  For almost 11 years she has worked as a registered therapy dog.  Now at almost 15, she has had to retire because her health is not good.  She has visited thousands of adults and children and all kinds of facilities over that time period and has done her "little" miracles with many of them.  She has been a great joy to them and to us.  We just hope she hangs in there a little longer. 

-Pat Shaeffer

Gabby
Gabby was an adorable 2 year old Coton de Tulear when she came into my life as a gift.  She was so cute, cuddly and soft, like a little teddy bear...but unfortunately she would not let me touch her, or pick her up.  For the first year, this little dog was very timid, insecure and extremely afraid of people, other dogs and noises.  She would not eat if someone else was in the kitchen with her, would bark at strangers and would never socialize with other dogs, especially big ones.  I felt cheated she was so cute but I was unable to hold her! My other dog, a 70 lb Golden Retriever has the exact opposite personality as Gaabby, she is mellow, loves people and other dogs and has the patience of a saint.  With her help, Gabby little by little, learned to trust us, love us and eventually become inseparable from either one of us.  She loved to cuddle in bed with me at night, lie on my chest when I watched TV and cuddle up to the Golden on a scary rainy day.  Once Gabby decided we were her family, nothing could have changed her loyalty and respect for us.  No matter how angry I got at her for having "accidents" in the house (she never really got the "housebreaking" thing 100%!) or how much she hated that I would bather her in the kitchen sink almost on a weekly basis, she came back with kisses and cute little paws on my hand, 2 minutes later! Even to her last minutes of her life, when unexpectedly she started shaking and panting from what I believe was poisoning from pesticides in the backyard, she came to my side seeking refuge in me.  I loved this dog for so many reasons, but above all her unbreakable loyalty and trust to me and my other dog, is the best lesson she taught me. 

-In Memory of Gabby (12-01-01 / 08-09-09) 

Bogey
Way back in 1991, I bought my first puppy, a miniature black poodle.  In my family's tradition, I named him "Bogey," both for Humphrey Bogart and for the golfing term.  He was my best friend for 18 1/2 years.  He saw more in his short life than most humans.  He was my companion in the truck, my scout in the boat, my protector during late night walks.  He absolutely loved Drive-Thru Anything, and was often rewarded with a dog treat at the bank or at the pharmacy.  McDonald's was especially tantalizing to him--he got so worked up that the girls at the window always gave him his own free order of french fries! It was the sad watching him grow older.  Sadder still was the day that he went to Dog Heaven.  But now my life is filled with new demands, new sights to see, and new Drive-Throughs to explore!  New Bogey is a 9-week old toy poodle, my new pride and joy! Though sometimes I feel as though all I got was a chewing, pooping machine, he is absolutely precious & has brought new joy into my life.  Watching him grow & learn has eased somewhat the loss of my old friend, and knowing that this little one will grow up to have his own likes & dislikes brings me comfort.

-Laura

Vena
My son brought her over from Germany. She was only 4 months old. A beautiful dog. She loved the ocean and we would swim together diving under the wells, holding on to each other.  When I would come home from work, she sat down.  I knelt and put my arms around her neck, while her front legs went around mine.  We sat, holding each other.  This feeling of being one. I have loved animals all my life and will defend them always. Dogs are special.  Vena was highly intelligent.  We communicated perfectly - better than with my husband (smiling). She was euthanized when only 11 years.   Her hips became painful and stiff.  The vet could have done more, but he played God and decided that it was time for her.  I would have cared for her, even though she had difficulties walking.  I know that she would have defended me with her life ...
I am crying as I write this. 

Lennie
Meet Lennie, the Pekingese. He is my furry little hero.  Although he’s never done anything heroic, like rescuing a family member or dialing 911, he deserves all the recognition in the world.  He brings laughter and hundreds of smiles to my life by his stubborn, yet comical, personality.  He’ll take his raw hide chew bone and prance around the house with it hanging out like a cigar.  Or when I take him on evening potty walks, he’ll just plopped down on a cool, bed of green grass, indicating he’s done leading the way.  It’s moments like those that remind me of life’s simple pleasures.  Lennie is truly a [wo]man’s best friend.  

-Danielle

Ironheart Sled Dogs
I've always had a special  "pet" dogs,  a great  Australian Heeler, Lab, Pitbull, even a Pomeranian.  But five years ago, I took in  8 sled dogs whose owner was being deployed to Iraq.  One was unknowingly bred and within two weeks, there were 8 more pups.  We now have 27 sled dogs,  some young, some older and retired, some Malamutes, some racing Alaskan Huskies, oh and of course a Lab to keep things exciting. It is a privilege to get up everyday and care for dogs who love their life outside, who love to run and roll in dirt and even stand in the rain when they choose to.  But most of all to watch working dogs who were bred for generations to work as a team , actually get to be hooked up  and run down the trail and love every second of it !!!  Some are fast and race, some are slow and strong and weight pull and there are a few who are just cheerleaders now! Every dog in my yard has a name,  a story, a special place in my heart as well as their favorite spot to get a good scratching!!  I spend more time with my dogs everyday  than most folks spend with their kids these days.  And for that, I get tons of unconditional love every day!! 

.
-Lynda Ninos & Ed Scheckner

Blue
My hero is a giant among dogs.  "Blue" which is short for Mickey Blue Eyes, is a Harq. Great Dane and he is my service partner.  My name is Jeanette and I am a disabled vet. Blue is trained in mobility support. In April of this year I had a total right knee replacement, prior to that time Blue and I had been working with a service training beginning in mid January of 2009.  Blue changed my life he allowed me the freedom to travel and shop without the aid of family or friends. As Blue and I travel we are frequently stopped and this gives us the opportunity to educate people that giant breed dogs can be trained as 
service partners.  Blue and I undergo challenges daily with people not understanding the ADA laws with regards to service dogs, and or not being use to Blues' size.  Even though, there are challenges, Blue is always professional and I am proud of him and his dedication and respect that he shows towards me, and I towards him.
.

-Mrs. J. Burton and Blue,
SD

Pugs
Pugs (aka Puggy, Pugsy, the Puginator, Pugster, Puggley Wuggley) came to us three years ago when she was about 8 years old.  She found herself in a shelter after her owner passed away, but fortunately for her a rescue organization found her and placed her in a pet store for adoption.  I took one look at her and decided she had to be a part of our family.  We already had a dog and five cats, but I convinced my husband that our dog needed a companion, so Pugs came into our home, and has been bringing joy to our family ever since.  She quickly adjusted to all the cats, and simply adored our Sheltie, who succumbed to kidney disease a few months ago at the age of 12-1/2.  We now have a puppy, and Pugs has a new role as playmate to an energetic five-month-old.  She takes it in stride, and when she’s had enough, simply curls up and falls asleep.

-Joyce Kidd

Duffy
We are a part of a San Diego area Search and Rescue team. Duffy is a two year old Border Collie and has just started his working  SAR career and his older "sister", Annabelle,  has been working with our team for about 4 years. These are my true partners. Thumbs up to National Dog Day !

Gracie
Gracie is a Samoyed and is a great-great-great-great-niece of my first Samoyed, Tasha, who I bought in 1990.  When Tasha passed away, I searched high and low to find another a puppy who was related to her. 
I am so very grateful to her breeder and I am so grateful that breeders are still free to breed so we can get pets who have a pedigree that we can research.  Gracie is the spitting image of my Tasha, down to the freckles on her nose.  She has so many of the same personality traits and behaviors that are linked by genetics.  Gracie is a wonderful girl, she is involved in conformation shows, Tracking, she just started Agility school last week, and she is doing her first visit at an assisted living facility tomorrow night.  She is a blessing.  Hugs to all the beloved dogs out there and to all the breeders who spend their time and energy and love in to creating wonderful dogs for good homes!

-Melissa Howell
Michigan