Have you ever had/met a dog that had a special effect on you?

[zoomer]

My neighbor's little Chihuahua mix, one I used to walk. He came all the way to my house and was waiting for me on the porch. Man do I love that dog...

[My Peanuts]

I'd also like to post about RB Angie. She passed away in June of 2003, but she will be in my heart forever. I still pray to her and talk to her grave. She was special for so many reasons and her death still hurts me. Angie is and will be the dog that I talk about now and when I get older. I love all my dogs equally, but they impact me in different ways. On June 10, 2003 I felt like I lost my sister.

[Alysser]

All these stories made me smile .Those are great stories and I loved hearing them! I am so happy these dogs got good homes. Especially, Jimmy. He doesn't have to worry anymore. I'm looking forward to see those dalmations Suki_Wingy!

[Alysser]

I thought of a dog now! FINALLY!
This girl I used to play outside with all the time had a German shepherd. Boy was she amazing.

Penny is her name. She was a year old when she was sold to a man who was a drug addict and a true hick! He gave her table scraps when he felt like it and she was left in a small crate in the yard everyday of her life. The man decided to sell her for 200 dollars. She certainly wasn't worth that much. She had ticks,fleas,and heart worms. Her ribs where visible. She was basically the most pathetic dog. Her dad(who might I add is a Pastor) saw a sign thatr said 200 dollar dog. So he went to see the dog. At first he wasn't even expecting this. When he drove up to the house he already knew there was something wrong. He bought her anyway. She was later trained as a therapy dog. She is afraid of sticks and long solid objects. We think she was hit with sticks,bats,ect. She does have some injuries. But all in all, she isn't afriad of humans. The people at nursing homes and hospitals always look forward to her visits. She is the happiest dog alive. You would never have thought she was abused. At home, she plays fetch with balls,swims,and just has a good old time despite anything. She has taught me that animals have the power to forgive no matter what. And they WILL use that

[Sevaede]

Probably my Little Dog. I will always remember the day she became my dog and the day she was saved from ever having to be bred again. She came from a puppy mill who gave her to a breeder who, in turn, gave her to us. She is so sweet and loving. I was the only person she trusted for a long time. I am also the cause of her obsession: jerky treats.

[bckrazy]

The dog that really influenced me was a GSD named Juice

When I was 4 we lived in a subdivision with lots that had 1+ acre yards each, a lot of our nieghbors had no fences, unfortunately. Juice was almost like my dog, he spent all day at our house playing with me. I remember a yellow Lab running up to the house, and I was eating a sandwich or something and the Lab was running up to me presumably to steal it, but it really scared me. Juice chased him off and came back and sat next to me. He was an awesome dog! I saw him a few years ago, when I was visiting a friend who lives in the same neighborhood. He was in his own yard (for once) and I got to pet him and say hi to him, he was really old but I think he remembered me. Their was a for sale sign in their yard and they moved away a few weeks later, so I never saw him again . But, Juice really made me love dogs, and learn how to gain the trust of dogs... and I really want to have a GSD someday because of Juice.

And, Gonzo of course has influenced me! When I was 13 and I got him, I was really into myself and my friends and irresponsible. He taught me responsibility and dedication and his loyalty and love got me through very, very hard times. Training him and working with him has taught me so much about dogs, and about Border Collies, and I love BC's because of him.

[Glacier]

All of them in one way or another, but here's a few highlights.

Sleet is my canine soulmate. I knew it the first time I looked at her. She was meant to be here with me. Plus she is one of the finest lead dogs ever born and on at least one occasion can be credited with saving my life.

When I first met Kayleigh, she jumped up on her kennel gate, looked me square in the eyes and I clearly heard her tell me she was coming home with me. She did later that day. If I had thought more clearly about it, she may not have, but it's worked out for both of us. Kayleigh has taught me many things about how to deal with dogs with her issues, how to build a fight and escape proof fence. She has also shown me what a gentle hand and a second (maybe even a third chance) can do. She's taught me patience, forgiveness and how not to hold a grudge!

Paxil was the lead dog in the very first dog team I ever drove. Those first couple hours on a sled changed my life forever.

Hoodoo was our very first rescued dog. The first dog to show us what remarkable, forgiving creatures dog can be. Many more rescues followed in his pawprints and I'm sure more will over the coming years. He had a killer sense of humor, a quick mind and far too short of a life. Even in his death he was teaching us though--that we could survive, that life would go on and that we could love again without taking any love away from him. I miss him everyday.