Vanessa Bartlett

She was 18. Her people, who loved her whole life, took her, a vaccination booklet, a leash, a collar and her belongings and took her to the Baldwin Park shelter. They said they were tired of fighting with an older dog, signed papers and left, without even looking at her. 😢 When she was picked up by a volunteer at the shelter, she leaned on him probably wishing it was all just an ugly dream. The moment was immortalized by photographer John Hwang, who was in the shelter at the time. Unfortunately, dogs love sincerely, with all their heart, with all their soul and are unable to understand that human 'love forever' most often has an expiration date.. - to annual, to moving, to illness, to old age... Dogs definitely deserve better people!” ❤ Credit: Stuart James Join : @Beyond_theleash

WHEN I AM OLD When I am old... I will wear soft gray sweatshirts... and a bandana over my silver hair... and I will spend my social security checks on my dogs. I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen to my dogs breathing. I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow... When people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs... and talk of them and about them... the ones so beloved of the past and the ones so beloved of today... I will still work hard cleaning after them, mopping and feeding them and whispering their names in a soft loving way. I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jewel, and I will be an embarrassment to all... especially my family... who have not yet found the peace in being free to have dogs as your best friends... These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall... and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to greet you as if you are a God, with warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will always stay, I'll hug their big strong necks... I'll kiss their dear sweet heads... and whisper in their very special company... I look in the mirror... and see I am getting old... this is the kind of person I am... and have always been. Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me. Please accept me for who I am. My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives... they love my presence in their lives... When I am old this will be important to me... you will understand when you are old, if you have dogs to love too. ❤️🐾 Author Unknown (DM) Follow Us

Tomorrow morning, in a few hours I will bid a final farewell to my eyes, my ears, my nose, my protector, my best friend, my partner and my son. I cannot express and won’t even attempt to express the contributions my partner made to the community he served, and to me whom he protected. At times knowing he was going into battle, and disregarded natural instincts and put his life before mine. Some will see him as only a dog, but to the lives he undoubtedly saved, and touched he will forever be CP109 K9 King, a hero. Here to take care of what needs taken care of, always ready to carry the burden. Rest easy son, if there’s a heaven for heroes, you’re there as the most beautiful of Gods creation, Man’s best friend, my best friend. In 1,000 lifetimes I’ll never deserve you 💙😢🙏 Share=RESPECT

"I had this gentleman and his sister come by today to pick his puppy out. I noticed his hat right away. After he picked his pup, I asked him, directly, if he was over 'there.' After listening to him tell me about his experience with an IED and the stroke it caused him at 25 years old, he told me he'd be by in a few weeks to pick the pup up and bring the rest of the money. My response? 'You don't owe me anything!' I do believe he's paid enough already. Much respect to him and all who have served or are currently serving, from all of us at SOS Kennels. There's not enough thanks!" Credit: Jeremy Schaeffer of SOS Kennels