Buttons -- Two years ago inoperable cancer was diagnosed for my beloved Buttons, and the goal was to make the remaining days of her life have quality. For 3 months she still would play and be happy to join in family functions, then seemingly overnight she became so ill she could not longer stand by herself. After much agonizing I made the heart-wrenching decision to ask my veterinarian to end her suffering. Although it was the right thing to do, the decision wasn't easy. I was with her when the doctor gave her the injection, and held her in my arms until she was gone. I cried like a baby and had her buried with her favorite blanket and bed. This was my baby that I had raised for 15 years and I felt empty without her. What amazes me though, is the angel dog that I believe was sent to me to make her passing bearable.

Weeks before her death, a German Shepherd Dog started hanging around the neighborhood. The dog had apparently been abandoned and abused. I fed the dog whenever I saw her, even though at that time Buttons was very jealous! The day after Buttons died, this beautiful dog, who up to now wouldn't let you touch her because of fear, came into my yard and laid down beside me to have her belly rubbed. She was dirty, thin, and full of fleas and flies, but I received such comfort from stroking her fur. I felt almost at peace. For several months this continued, but she wasn't trusting enough to come into my home. One day she disappeared and I learned that animal control officers had picked her up. I went to visit "Girl" (so named because when we opened the back door and yelled "Here Girl" she'd always come), and she recognized me and appeared happy to see me. The morning she could be adopted, I was there. I took her straight to the veterinarian for an examination, and learned that she was pregnant and had heartworm disease. There were no guarantees as to how advanced the heartworm disease was, nor how effective treatment would be. Although it was expensive, I chose to have her treated and spayed. That was 18 months ago, and test results for continued heartworm disease have been negative. Girl now has a loving home, with her own bed, and is extremely spoiled. Girl will never "replace" Buttons, but she is my precious companion with a unique personality of her own and a lot of love to give. To this day, I believe she was sent to me to assist in relieving my grief. Hopefully, we'll both live long, happy lives at each other's sides.

(Author Unknown)