I am sure there are other dogs who have taught me things but I think each one I have now has touched me in different ways.

Snoopy is so full of joy. Nothing gets him down. Not even his seizures or the bacterial infection which almost killed him. He runs and jumps and is so enthusiastic in everything he does. He is also so full of love. He loves me unconditionally - as each of my dogs do - but somehow his love is different. Nothing I do can make him not want to be with me. I can be angry at him and he just looks at me with those eyes like I'm sorry, mom. I can be sad and crying and he comes up and licks me and makes me laugh cause he is so big and thinks he can be a lap dog. But his love of life and his joyfullness is what really touches me.

Pippi is my protector. He is a 17 lb. Jack Russell mix. But nobody better mess with me. She came from a home where they kept her tied a doghouse. She got very little attention so she was and still is afraid of new people. After a year of that, she came to us and loves us to pieces. It is amazing to me to see what a dog can live through and still be loving and loyal. She is also the pup who does not run when I yell or get upset. (I still have spells where I miss my son so much I just yell and scream.) She comes and sits on my lap and gives me kisses. She is definitely my little angel. Sometimes my crying scares even Snoopy off but not my Pippi!

Jack, our airedale, was in pretty much the same situation. Whoever had him kept him outside all the time - when we got him his ears and eyes were infected, his hair was chewed off where something bothered it, and his teeth were all broken off because they kept him tied up and he tried to chew through the chain. And he needed two bathes to get him clean and smelling better. But the first thing he did when he saw us was go up to Carl and rub his head against him. Talk about love at first sight! He was sooo neglected but he is so loving it is just amazing.

Dazzi and Taggert have also taught me about unconditional love. They all seem to know when I am down or need a little extra love. They are always there for me!