Entertainment | 01/14/2009 8:30 am

wOw Readers Bow to Their Old Dogs (Photos)

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. Thank you for sharing a piece of your lives with us. Click through this photo essay for readers’ old dogs and read personal accounts from the owners who adored them.

Do you have an unforgettable old dog? E-mail photos to submit@wowowow.com and we will add them to this slideshow.

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

Oh thanks for sharing that. We are as a family starting to look for a family dog. Wish us luck on this adventure or maybe I’ll get lucky and the dog will find us. LOL

By GrandeCamper on 01/14/2009 11:27 am

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Go to a shelter to find your family dog and don’t rule out getting a mature dog - already trained and past the difficult puppy years. Adopting a shelter dog will be a highly rewarding, yet humbling deed - I promise. You will save a life, teach your children a wonderful lesson on compassion and humility, a rescued dog will be eternally grateful and loyal. With a little patience, you can likely find any breed you desire, but mutts generally have the best dispositions and aren’t as prone to many health maladies pure bred dogs often have. Maybe once you get there, you’ll think about getting two dogs, or maybe a dog and cat…..Good luck!

By JodiWells on 01/15/2009 2:50 pm

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Thank you for your post. Good information. Yes, we are talking about checking out these rescue shelters. Will take your advice on mutts. I know my boys want one dog and one cat. We’ll see if that works out? Again thanks.

By GrandeCamper on 01/15/2009 4:01 pm

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Thanks for sharing all of our beautiful dogs. They are and were so sweet. What would we do without dogs?

By FrannieEm on 01/14/2009 12:14 pm

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What a bunch of fine looking dogs. I loved the one of Bobo! Good dog.

By BuhBye on 01/14/2009 12:33 pm

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Loved seeing the photos and reading the stories about the dogs. Am dog crazy…yesterday my father and I were ‘e-chatting’ about our family’s favorite dog [and his best bud Butch the Cat] that accompanied my brothers and sisters and I from our childhoods into our own childrens’ childhoods. we had him 18-20 years and he’s been gone longer than that but he is still ‘The King’ among all the dogs we’ve all collectively loved and had. Thanks for the great photos and stories.

By amp on 01/14/2009 2:06 pm

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Awwww, I loved everyone’s puppies. They are all so sweet. Gotta love them! Thanks for sharing. LA

By leighann on 01/14/2009 4:38 pm

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Beautiful dogs. Beautiful stories. My heart aches for a dog … but I don’t believe I can take care of one. Such a soul-sad realization.

By rockyrocky on 01/14/2009 5:08 pm

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All these pups are beautiful. So sad that so many have gone on to the rainbow bridge and left their families waiting for the time to see them once again Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…. Author unknown…

By HABIBI on 01/14/2009 7:00 pm

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Elaine, I copied your post and, in honor of Thai I posted a Bulletin tonight as well as posting this picture.Dreams Of Cheetah - Hood! http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=… Thank you once again for your gracious heart, you brought a special moment to mine.

By JenniferDooley on 01/15/2009 8:12 pm

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Oh Jen, I’m so glad. That poem was given to me by my Vet in California, when I had a cat who I feel in love with, end up going into non recoverable respiratory distress. This cat, I named Momma was a cat that was up for adoption and many of the various rescue groups including my own, would all gather at the pet co’s and Pet Smarts for open adoption day’s. Well Momma was always there week after week, at least a month and was never adopted. She had the most loving personality and was always housed with the kittens as her loving an nuturing persona was so comforting to them. Yet no one adopted her. So come week number 4, I told the gal from the agency who had her, that if she was not adopted by days end, her days of being in this cage were going to end and she would be comming home with me to her forever home. She said really and I said you bet. Needless to say I silently prayed that no one would adopt her so she would come home with me and sure enough she ended up comming home with me and this cat you will not believe looked at me with the look in her eyes that said, Thank you, I knew what you did for me and the reason I named her Momma was because when she meowed, she said Momma. I admit that I’m in tears as I write this to you because this cat stole my heart and ripped it out when she died. I’ll always love her more than words can say. Thank you for the link to see you pics, they are wonderful! :)

By HABIBI on 01/15/2009 8:44 pm

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Elaine, Thank you for sharing your heart strings. I was really moved by your posts. It got me thinking about what a good book it would make to have the stories of our Rescued Kids (with photos). And have the proceeds go to Rescue programs. Question, did you get to see more than the Thai pic? Just curious about how the new feature from Myspace works..God Bless them all and Endless Blessings to you and yours…

By JenniferDooley on 01/16/2009 11:50 am

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Thank you for that post, Elaine. I am still in shock over my Toto who left me in October.

By JeannotKensinger on 02/11/2009 9:02 am

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Jeannot, You’re welcome! I don’t believe we ever get over the loss of a loved one, (Animals are people too). We just learn to move forward, carrying the loving memories of them with us. I’ve read your posts and you indeed have your hands full with your husband. But, keep in mind that no matter what, God knew you were that special someone, who knows that true and genuine love, goes far deeper than our circumstances. And you were that someone whom God could count on. Sending you smiles and peace to help you through your days!

By HABIBI on 02/11/2009 9:22 am

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Elaine You’re making me cry. My schnauzer sweetheart, Cleo, moved on about three years ago, and I remember her antics still. I had to replace (if that’s even the word) her almost right away because I became too depressed. So off to the shelters I went, one after the other until I found the greatest little dog ever — a mixed dachshund/min-pin. But, boy was he skinny and stressed out. Soon I understood why, since along with the dog, my $75 bought the mange, worms and fleas, but within a month or two my vet had him in tip top shape. Now, I’ve decided to find him a friend, a girl friend. This should be another adventure.

By MarjorieC on 01/15/2009 6:44 am