Entertainment | 06/21/2009 11:00 am

wOw Readers' Bow to Old Dogs – Part II (Photos)

A photo tribute to long-loyal friends

Photo Essay

When we introduced you to Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs, a book of photographs and stories about loyal, old dogs, we asked you to share with us your old dog stories. Your submissions were pulled together to create wOw Readers Bow to Their Old Dogs Part I . Now, thanks to all of you who decided to share your best friends’ lives with us, we have part II. Click through this slide show for photographs of old dogs and read personal accounts from the owners who love them.

Do you have an unforgettable old dog? E-mail photos to submit@wowowow.com for possible inclusion in a future photo tribute.

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I enjoyed these photos and stories so very much. Thanks, everyone, for sharing.

By Deena B. on 06/21/2009 2:09 pm

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All of the stories were heart warming and the puppies adorable. I too thank you for sharing. I hope to share my beloved deceased Dreads story and photo in this tribute.

By L. C. on 06/21/2009 3:36 pm

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Loved the stories. Wish there were more. In fact, where was the one I sent in?

But why is it that it was only quite by accident that I found this photo essay?

Sure wish wowowow would reorganize their pages. Heck, I’d be happy to put some logic into them. Just email me.

By Andrea Brandon on 06/21/2009 7:33 pm

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Andrea, I thought of you when I saw this photo-essay. In fact, I looked for a story from you as I know this is right up your alley. Maybe it will be included in the next installment.

All of my current furbabies are relatively young but, boy, have I been down this road before too. In fact, at one point, I thought I can’t do this anymore. By "this" I mean love anymore animals with all my heart only to see them get old and infirm and, ultimately, have to part with them. I held out for a few years, but I need animals in my life. And, I firmly believe, that children become much better people from having pets growing up.

So, here I go again, with two cats and a dog. I dread seeing them get old but I guess it goes with the territory.

By Deena B. on 06/22/2009 8:48 am

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Deena,

Aren’t they the most precious gifts? I’m currently going through a long good-bye with a friend’s dog who has Stage 4 Liver Cancer. The minute he shows sign of pain he’ll be given peaceful euthanasia. It’s expected that he will stop eating before the pain sets in. So every few days I run to the store, get the best chicken breasts, microwave them, and drive over to their house and hand feed him. He enjoys it so much - it’s almost like he’s not sick at all when I arrive with the treat. But it’s so hard leaving, knowing it might be the last time.

As I said, animals are a gift.

I did send a photo and a few words some time ago - but the piece by Rosie C. was exquisite. It simply captures the total investment a pet can have in his human.

Give yours a hug from me, Deena.

By Andrea Brandon on 06/22/2009 10:35 am

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Old dogs are absolutely the most wonderful thing on earth. The bond that is formed between an old dog and their best friend is the purest expression of love that exists.

But my-oh-my, it is so hard when it’s time for them to go…

By KatyDid Wells on 06/24/2009 12:44 pm

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I agree 100%, we had a beautiful dog, a beagle named Goldie we got her through a ad in the paper after the woman who had rescued her from the pound couldn’t keep her anymore. She had the gentlest soul I have ever seen on an animal, and she absolutely adored my sons.

One night when my husband was away a neighborhood kid, stoned out of his mind on drugs, or booze, or both tried to break into our house at 3 am & it was really terrifiying because there I was all alone with two little boys & this sweet gentle old dog and it seemed like 911 was taking forever to send the cops……well, when he smashed our front window & it seemed like he has going to get in , and I was in a panic, and my boys were crying to beat the band. Goldie decided she had had enough, she jumped out through the broken window, chased el stoned out creepo down our driveway, caught him by the seat of his baggy half mast drawers and spun him around til he fell over & then sat on top of him barking her head off til the cops showed up.

After the cops had put him in the back of the squad car, and hugs, and pats and "What a good girl !" by the cops, and kisses & treats from us, she was content to follow my boys back to bed where she slept beside them with her paws over them all night as if to say to him, " I double DOG dare you to come back!"….. we lost her to cancer 3 years ago at the age of 11 and I still miss her every day.

By Ali Bell on 06/25/2009 9:02 am