[least]

When my beloved animals die they go to a special place in Heaven that I call God's Meadow. I have so many animals living in The Meadow that when I die I'd rather live in The Meadow than in Heaven itself.

Last year I adopted a little skinny shiba inu I named Teddy. He was rescued from a horrible life when he escaped from the chain he'd been tied to in the driveway for six or seven years. AFter we adopted him he was spoiled rotten with good food twice a day, walks, treats, and vet care, not to mention sleeping on my bed. He had been so neglected and malnourished from being tied in the driveway and ignored that when he got very sick with an infection he couldn't fight it off, and despite a stay at my vet and force feeding and meds he died. We only had him for two months but they were the happiest two months of his entire life. I still go past the place he used to live when I walk my two dogs, and I still feel anger and resentment toward the cold hearted owners who treated him as if he were an object.

The dog-rescue-lady from whom I got Teddy was devastated when he died. A month later she tried to get me to adopt a diabetic shiba she'd taken in, but no one wanted him cause of having to give him insulin twice a day. I took him and am glad I did. He's the sweetest most loving dog and, like my beagirl, has enriched my life. His diabetes was out of control for a while last year, and in March of this year he went blind from diabetic cataracts. Not to worry, I am his eyes and he has a happy life. His 'rescue angel' begged me to take him as she knew he'd have a great life with us... and he does.

I love and live for my two dogs. The beagirl is 12 yrs old and the shiba is 9 and I dread the thought of them 'leaving me' when they die. But God is the only other home I'll give them up to, as He's the only one who could love them as much as I do.

I pray my dogs have a long healthy happy life with me, but when they are suffering I will give them back to God, as I cannot stand to see them in misery.

Great thread!