Everyone thinks I rescued and saved this dog but she rescued and saved me. A life for a life.

Someone tossed this yellow ball of fur into the parking lot and drove off. I rescued a princess (Yellow LabradorX) to put her to work for me; so naming her SynderYella seemed appropriate. Like the Disney character, she was orphaned, abused, thrown away and became a princess, loved more than anyone could ever imagine.

She went from a 4 month old, fearful of abuse, to 70 pounds of joyfulness, friendly to all. In less than 2 years she had passed canine good citizen, companion dog, and service animal. She became the best service dog ever!

She would wiggle and wag with glee when her vest was put on. Her excitement, and joy was expressed daily with exuberance. I could sense her pride when a child hollered, "Mom, Look there is a dog in the store!"

The mutual exchange of unconditional love was like no other I have known. I came to rely on her for so much help and to cheer my depression. Every day we validated each other's existence as a personal blessing from God. We both got to feel needed and worthwhile and a valued presence on earth that gave our lives meaning. The constant sharing of joy, and gratitude was reciprocal.

A portion of my soul was amputated when liver cancer took her 8 years later...much too soon. The hole in my heart is shaped like her paw print. I have been blessed to know and experience a love that surpasses all understanding. I should have named her JOY as that was her essence; but SynderYella was an appropriate name at the time we rescued each other from abuse.

I decided to stop at the local animal shelter to look at the kitties when I saw him. A perfect little black kitty. I had to weedle my way to get him but I knew I had to take him home. I brought him home much to the chagrin of my older kitty. I tried and tried to think of the perfect name for him and finally came up with Cabigula, a portmanteau of Cab Calloway and Caligula. Now I've had him for about seven years and I love my little Cabby pants. Jynxie has gotten used to him and he loves to groom her. He also loves to talk! Especially at feeding time! He can have a mischievous side and loves to knock things over but I wouldn't trade him for the world. I wasn't expecting another cat that day, but I love the decision I made to visit the shelter everyday.

My husband and I had made a joint decision to adopt a dog from the humane society and decided to just visit and see what we found. I was looking at a super friendly and hyper dog named Saint when I noticed his kennel mate in the back corner. He was a medium, scared-looking little black ball in the back corner on a ratty towel, looking at us with big, scared eyes. On a whim, I asked if I could see Saint's kennel mate instead. They looked surprised, but went and got him. When they brought the dog out, I squatted down low so I wouldn't look scary to him and be more at his level. One of the volunteers at the humane society accidentally scared the dog who then crawled into my lap and looked into my eyes to protect him. I looked up at my husband, and he asked me if we were taking the dog home, he already knew. We discovered that the dog, (who we named Ripley) had been beaten and abandoned. We had to teach him how to play, and be very careful to keep our hands behind our backs when we disciplined him. He was, and is, one of the best things to ever happen to my husband and I. Ripley has gotten me through two deployments and is our furry child, I wouldn't trade him for the world.

This is my beautiful Asia, who is part Siamese. My friends cat was due to deliver any time. Jokingly, I told her that if one was a calico, I would take it. Not expecting a calico Siamese, I wasn't holding my breath. In less than a week, I got the call that I was going to have a new addition to my family.

When she was 4 weeks old, she had to come home. She was so covered by fleas that her white was grey. She was being eaten alive. We brought her home and bathed her using watered-down flea shampoo. She was the size of a beanie baby bear, so as not to lose her in the house, we put up a barricade to keep her in the kitchen at night time. Well, in about three weeks, she would meet us every morning sitting on top of the barricade.

Naming her was the easy part. I remember as a kid, colouring maps with all the continents being different colours. Her colours are very distinct and there is no blending of colors. From the first time I saw her, the way her colours flow, I knew her name was Asia.

She has been a part of our family for 3 years now.

My mother and I had seen a Siamese cat wandering around on my grandfather's property. They lived in a fairly rural area with few neighbors, but we assumed such a beautiful cat belonged to someone. He was friendly, but never stayed for more than a quick rub on the head. One night, we were visiting and eating take out from the local Chinese restaurant. All of a sudden, there was a terrible crashing sound followed by the loudest cry I had ever heard! That beautiful cat was throwing himself against the back door! When I went outside, I noticed a terribly infected wound on his neck. In that moment, I knew he had no home. Of course, there was no way I was going to leave him crying on the porch! I scooped him up, and brought him inside. My mother joked, "Maybe you should call him General Tsao since he interrupted dinner." We all had a good laugh. After a trip to the vet, The General came home with me. Almost eight years later, he sleeps in the same place every night; curled under my left arm!

we saw all the dogs running the streets in cali and were being shipped to connecticut....my husband said i'm going to get u a dog....i didn't want one but he got one....his name is jake....he's part french bulldog and chiwuaw wha....he's a good boy loves to eat ....i can't believe he was abused....we gave him a good home and he is loved.

We first saw him at the local shelter, housed between two very large dogs. We jumped at the chance to walk him, and after we did so, we put our names as first on the list to adopt him. We got him.

He's a black purebred pomeranian with just a dab of white on his chest. We learned his name from his previous family was "Zorro." For the longest time we thought the name came from the character Zorro and his all-black outfit. However, the name actually came from the Spanish word for fox, which is (you guessed it) "zorro."

Starting a new life, he needed a new name. Noticing how light he was on his feet, how he pranced around and turned in circles when he was excited and coming form a very long background in ballet, we decided to name him Fosse, after Bob Fosse. It fits perfectly, everyone loves him and I'd like to think he loves us back.

He'll be 13 on July 1st of this year. His hearing is going, his walks are getting shorter, he sleeps more, and even his black fur is graying around his muzzle. We've had him for seven years and hope to have him for many more.

Fosse danced into our hearts, and for the rest of my life he will hold a special place in my heart.

On April 12th 2013, after a short illness, we lost our beloved Stryper. We raised him and his brother, Smokey after their mother abandoned them. They were tiny little balls of fur, their claws were still out and their were still closed. Now after eight years, Smokey was suddenly alone when we were gone. We were trying to cope with Stryper's loss and find ways to keep Smokey occupied when we he was alone. We tried many things, but it was obvious Smokey needed a companion.

About a month later, we were in a pet shop looking for enrichment toys and we noticed this cute orange tabby. The lady in the shop said they found him in the dumpster out back, he had been neutered and declawed, front and back. They had no idea how old he was or anything about his background, but it didn't matter, we had already fallen in love with him.

We named our orange tabby Seuss, because he liked to lay on my Cat in the Hat throw, surrounded by some of my Dr. Seuss collection of things. Introducing a new kitty to our household wasn't easy. There were a few fights and lots of hissy fits. Slowly, but surely Smokey and Seuss have become best buddies!

I am a foster home for Ohio Pug Rescue. I'm out to dinner on Valentine's day 2008 when I get a call from our foster coordinator that there is a pug in need of a foster home and can I take her. I left dinner immediately and met another member who had sprung her from a shelter about 45 minutes away to pick her up. When we first met, I looked at this bedraggled old pug, with very little fur left due to a skin infection brought on by a terrible flea infestation, ears infected, teeth in horrible shape, extremely long nails, she was just in misery. I took her home and got very little sleep that night as she was so uncomfortable she cried all night. I got her to our vet the next morning and began a long journey of returning her to health. By the time she was healthy again, I was so attached to her, I adopted her. She followed me everywhere, my gray faced shadow. What we didn't know was that the longterm use of some of the medications used to treat those terrible infections, had caused damage to her pancreas, and in 2011, she developed insulin dependent Diabetes. Within weeks of that diagnosis, it caused her to go blind in both eyes. It took months to get the diabetes under control and helping her adapt to being blind. She had to have insulin shots every 12 hours, so I was literally tied to her schedule, my life became about her, and I do not begrudge it. she coped so well with it all, and still gave me so much love.

on 05/24/2013, due to complications from her illness, she began having uncontrollable seizures and I had to let her go. It was the most heartbreaking experience of my life. My life is forever changed because of this little dog. Her ability to cope without complaint with everything thrown her way and still be happy and find joy in her life inspires me everyday. Rest in peace my Gray faced shadow, we'll meet again!

I'm known around my neighborhood as the cat lady. I've rescued lots of kittens and cats over the years. Each one has a unique personality and shows affection in their own way. This is certainly true of Ruby.

In 2009 a neighbor knocked on my door asking if I could take in a 9 year old female cat. There was nothing wrong with Ruby. Her owner had simply gotten too old to properly care for her. Since I had room, I said sure.

Ruby is quite the princess as her name implies. She adapted easily into our home with the other cats. Since every cat has a nickname, hers quickly became Rubella. My mom was alarmed at this selection and asked why she's nicknamed after a virus. I hadn't thought of that!

Ruby lets me know when she wants a belly rub by rolling onto her back and meowing. But don't rub her for too long! Then she'll give you a nip on your hand. Of course there's no warning so I can't just dose off while rubbing that belly. Ruby was declawed by her previous owner. She never goes outside even though she sits by the door. She's declared her own sleep spots to the other cats. I often find her sleeping in the basket with a blanket, in the bookcase or on my bedroom throw rug. She can be quite talkative and as you can see by her picture she is able to order pizza using a speakerphone!

Ruby is a true treasure, one of the many I am thankful to God to be able to receive. I have had many fond moments with Ruby during these past four years. As Ruby begins to age, I count each day a blessing.

She will always be my Bella-Bella Rubella.