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

[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.

[4 Dog Mother]

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!