"The first time I ever saw her was12 1/2 years ago, when I opened the front door and found her sitting there. She looked at me with her 'pot belly' hanging down and wagged her tiny tail furiously. Through the years, she has been a 'silent watcher.' She was there throughout my junior high and high school years. She was there when I put on my high school graduation outfit and helped me pack my clothes when I left for college. Although I was gone during the week, I would always return home to visit Tasha on the week-ends. Every Sunday, when I left to go back to school, I hoped that my parents and sister would take good care of her. Five years later, she became again that 'silent watcher' who saw me put on my college graduation outfit. Since then, she has watched me get my first job, then buy my first house. She recently suffered from Old Dog Vestibular Disease. For the first time in her life, she got 'sick.' Up until then she had always been very healthy. She quickly recovered, but the incident made me realize that she is not a puppy anymore. Where did the time go? She is still that vibrant, adorable puppy my father adopted from a local animal shelter, but moving a bit more slowly these days. I look forward to her being that 'silent watcher' when I get married and yet again when I have my first child." Contributed by Rose Correa, San Diego, CA. March 2003.

Update, July 2004: "Tasha passed away on July 4, 2004. She was diagnosed with chronic renal failure on March 15, 2004. After months of heartache, I came home on July 4, 2004 to see if she was okay. She could not get up anymore and I looked straight into her eyes and she told me it was time. Her vet came to our home to help her cross the bridge. My auntie, uncle, cousin, grandma, fiance, mom and dad were there to say goodbye. Unfortunately, she will not be attending my wedding in November in person, but she will be there in spirit. We are happy to know that she is playing in a healthy body now. There is a website for her at: http://www.mypetspages.com/mysite/776/"

"TEDE (pronounced 'Teddy') was a gift to me after another beloved pet passed on. I'd never had a dog before and when I first met this little two-month old critter who looked so much like a baby lion, I thought it disgusting when he licked my hand. Boy, has my thinking changed! TEDE was my constant companion, despite trials of every sort. Not sure if I believe in 'spiritual soulmates' or 'animal guides,' but I truly believe he was the closest I've ever come to experiencing something of that kind. He was a best pal and a dutiful hero, protecting me from burglars on the east coast and saving me from two attacking off-leash Rottweilers in San Francisco. Those were certainly his 'glory days.' He suffered a great deal of trauma and physical injury in the dog attack, but showed no sign of hurt until we were safely home and he collapsed. That was at age eleven! I then became his protector. Several people told me to put my best friend to sleep because it might be 'inconvenient' to care for him. They were definitely out of bounds on that recommendation. TEDE continued to be a faithful friend and companion until his death by poisoning at age 13. Let it be known to all: Senior dogs aren't all inconvenient, and nothing and no one can replace the love and appreciation an older dog has for his/her human companion and caretaker. I thank God every day for having had that very special senior dog in my life, my angel with four paws -- and for not following other people's advice!" Contributed by Michele Caprario, San Francisco, CA. March 2003.

"Terry is now 15 1/2 years old. My husband and I adopted him more than 14 years ago, when he was 11 months old. At that time, Terry helped us over the loss of our previous dog, who was killed in a car accident. We live in Darmstadt, Germany, in the vicinity of Frankfurt, and found Terry there, in a home for abandoned animals. He is a mix, but very much like a Bearded Collie or a French Briard. We have always had a great time together. At home, he has to share us with two parrots and a cat that he and I found in a forest, nearly 12 years ago. The cat followed Terry without any fear, and he adopted her from that very moment. When we travel, Terry is the only one who gets to go with us, however. About three years ago, Terry started to have some problems with his legs. He gave up climbing the stairs about a year ago, and now, when he lies down, he depends on us to help him up. Once he is up on his paws, though, he enjoys walking leisurely in the woods near our house, where he often meets his dear Bearded Collie girlfriends, Cora and Lea. He's been deaf for a couple of years, but his eyes are still bright and clear, and, as long as he does not suffer pain, we will do our best to make his life as easy as possible." Contributed by Anne Hoellt, Darmstadt, Germany. October 1999.

Tigger (on the right in the photo) is a sweet, wonderful, gentle Doberman who loves everyone and was born to be petted. In this photo, Tigger is with senior Lab friend, Bailey, who is almost 12, and Chivas, a 13-year-old Shepherd mix who is a great obedience dog. They always have a great time together in the park. Being seniors, they have many of the same interests in life and go at about the same pace. Contributed by Lee Walker, San Francisco, CA. July 1997

"Tiki is a 14-year-old female Lhasa Apso. She has been an esteemed member of our family since 1991. The first time I saw her, my heart melted and I knew she was the dog for me. She is a wonderful girl, sweet and patient. She has been my constant companion for over 12 years. In January 2003, Tiki was diagnosed with Diabetes. This was a scary time for all of us, but we now have her blood sugars under control and she is doing much better. This March, Tiki developed cataracts and is completely blind. I was initially devastated. There was a period of adjustment, but Tiki carried on in her usually happy determined way and is now managing very well. She loves her walks and continues to parole her yard. It is difficult to articulate the effect this little dog has had on my life. When I am sad, she listens. When I am lonely, she is there. When I am happy, she is joyous. What more could you ask of a friend?" Contributed by Colleen. May 2003.

"Titi (pronounced 'Tee-tee') is my sweetie-pie girl. I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance when I worked at Universal Studios in Florida. She was supposed to be a Rin Tin Tin look alike in their animal show, but, for some unknown reason, they were not using her. From the moment I saw her, I loved her. I didn't notice that she was skinny and flea bitten and had patches of fur missing. I saw only those beautiful, sad, brown eyes and those impressively erect ears. One of the trainer's selling points, to convince me to take her off their hands, was to say, 'She doesn't eat very much.' Well, the trainer wouldn't have eaten very much either, if she was as sick as this poor dog. I soon found out that Titi had bilateral ear infections, FAD, a urinary tract infection, pyodermas, seborrhea and hypothyroidism. Early on, the vet told me to get rid of Titi because she was going to cost me a lot of money. The vet was right. Titi has been chronically ill since I adopted her in 1992, but she has also been a source of joy, companionship and protection. She has taught me tolerance and compassion and how to love unconditionally. We have spent many days walking along beautiful trails deep in the woods (places I would have been afraid to go without her), traveling up and down Interstate 95 from Florida to Massachusetts, and just sitting quietly together. I'm not sure how old Titi is; I think she is about 11, so I worry about when her time will be up. I'm sure I'll cry and be unconsolable, but after a while I'll be able to think of her and laugh at the times(twice) she ate a hole in the middle of my mattress, ate six out of eight pieces of fried chicken (the grease on her nose was a dead give away), would fall asleep with her face inside my mother's shoe, and the way she innocently emits noxious fumes while asleep. To sum it up, I adore my little girl, and tell her every chance I get." Contributed by Joan Evans. August 1999.

"The old gray fella (the one on the left) is Tippy, a 15-year- old Belgian Malanois. He is now retired after nearly ten years on police patrol in a major city in the southeastern USA. He and I worked together for three years. When I was promoted, Tippy was assigned to another officer, and then two years later, to another. When he was about to be re-assigned yet another time, he was beginning to show his age and it was decided that he had served long enough. I was was offered the opportunity to adopt him. So here he is, retired and living well in the country with two canine companions, a horse, and several other animals. He protected me on patrol; now I take care of him in his golden years. Loyalty -- he earned it." Contributed by George V.

He is now retired after nearly ten years on police patrol in a major city in the southeastern USA. He and I worked together for three years. When I was promoted, Tippy was assigned to another officer, and then two years later, to another. When he was about to be re-assigned yet another time, he was beginning to show his age and it was decided that he had served long enough. I was was offered the opportunity to adopt him. So here he is, retired and living well in the country with two canine companions, a horse, and several other animals. He protected me on patrol; now I take care of him in his golden years. Loyalty -- he earned it." Contributed by George V.

"I adopted Toby in 1987, after a friend found him wandering along a highway. It was shortly after I had to have 'Bojo,' my companion of 8 years, put down due to heart problems. My life just wasn't the same without a dog, but I knew I wanted an older dog, not a puppy. Toby qualified. When I took him to the vet for a checkup and shots, we discovered he had heartworms. This required a risky treatment, and he also had to be neutered, but he came through both surgeries with flying colors. The vet guessed he was about 2 years old at the time. Now, almost 13 years later, he is still the top dog in my house. In 1994, I took in a little stray who wandered into my life -- a tiny, seven-pound sweetie that I named 'Skippy.' Toby accepted him into our family immediately (with the provision that he remained BOSS). Toby and Skippy have been constant companions. In the past year, Toby has developed arthritis, seems able to hear only hear barking and hand clapping, and is practically blind. However, when he had a physical in December, the vet advised me that his heart was still good and strong. I know the time is soon coming when I will make that last trip to the vet with him. I will not let him be alone at that time. He has been a wonderful companion to me, especially after my husband of 38 years died in 1993. I will miss Toby when he goes, but intend to enjoy every day I have left with him." Contributed by Jean Wilson, Marion, OH. February 2000.

"Turbo left us a few months ago. She lived to the ripe old age (for Bassets) of 13. Those were 13 fun-filled years! When she was a puppy, at the obedience training class, the instructor commented that Turbo must be a riot to live with. Little did she know! Nothing sad and slow about this girl! Though few of our neighbors knew our names, they all knew Turbo's. Especially the little kids. Loved by all. We got to know all the county parks with Turbo's help. She loved to hike in them. And then cuddle down in one of her many pieces of dog furniture to nap afterwards. Our house was modified to accommodate a Basset's unique build. The back steps were made less steep, there was a ramp added at the foot of our bed. A carpeted box was placed under the window so she could get up there and watch for Mommy to come home from work. Two bean bags littered the living room -- one vinyl and one cotton, to suit her mood. A large insulated box was placed along the inside of one garage wall. This was her home when we were away from the house. A truly wonderful companion, right on through her old age." Contributed by Linda Herman, Rochester, NY.

"This is our beloved Twinkle. She is about 9 years old. We found her lying, exhausted, under a neighbor's porch this summer. We had noticed her walking around the neighborhood for about two weeks or so, but she would never let us get close to her. Twinkle was in sad shape: she was deathly thin, she limped, her eyes were cloudy and her hair was matted and full of ticks and fleas. The only way we could get her to our home was to let our puppy, Star, lead her to our back yard. We believe our gentle Twinkle had been abandoned at the park near us. She had no collar or ID tags. It disturbed us that, when we raised our hand to pet her, she flinched as though she had been mistreated by her previous family. Now, after four months of care and attention, Twinkle is beautiful. We are fortunate to have found such a beautiful, loving, devoted dog to take in as a member of our family." Contributed by Melinda McWilliams, Baltimore, MD. January 2002.

"Making a commitment to loving a dog who may not be with you very long isn't easy. On certain occasions, after losing a beloved older dog, we've wondered whether we ourselves can find the strength to do it again. But, in the end, the question we always ask ourselves is: If WE don't adopt the older ones, who will?

"We write this in memory of our dear, beloved Ty, a stray of about 7 or 8 years, who came to us through Golden Retriever Rescue in the fall of 1997. He was able to stay with us just a year. During the course of his illness, which we fought with every available weapon, we often asked ourselves why this had to happen to our sweet boy and to us. A friend told us that, whether it was luck or fate, he'd been put into our hands to experience both joy and pain. What a special boy he was! Despite the pain of losing him, we are grateful for the brief but intensely wonderful time we had together." Contributed by Andy & Teri Goodman, San Francisco, CA. March 1999 (Photo by Charlene Campbell.)

"My wife, Irene, and I bought our convertible because Ven liked it so much. 'Ven' means 'pal' in Norwegian, and this guy has really been the best pal anyone could ever have. Originally he was my stepson Mickey's dog, but when I married into the family, Ven became mine. It was part of a really terrific package deal. He's very attached to me. One time, when I left for a long trip, he refused to eat -- wouldn't even touch a piece of rare steak that Irene had cooked for him! He always sleeps next to my side of the bed, but if Irene isn't feeling well, he'll hang out next to her until she's better. He's 15 now, but still going strong, and we hope he will be for quite a while yet." Contributed by Don Osbourne, San Francisco, CA. (IN MEMORIAM: Ven went to the Rainbow Bridge in September 1998, at age 17.)