Editor’s Note: Thank you, Susan for sharing this lovely story. As animal lovers and pet families all of us understand and feel your loss. 

I’m writing to let you know that we had to put our 17 plus year old dog down this past Monday. She was a shelter dog we adopted from Chicago anti cruelty over 16yrs ago. She was our Girl! Almost 4 and 1/2 years ago we were told she was in stage three kidney failure. With subcutaneous fluids twice a day she was given 1-9 months to live depending on which vet we spoke to. Well the fluids were not pleasant so we put her on azodyl ( for kidney ) and low protein diet. She lived another 4 years. Which brings me to our DJ!
We adopted DJ from ARF for two reasons. Guinness loved cats and we thought having Dj might lessen our pain when we lost Guinness. Dj became known as Guinness’s cat. They had fun chasing each other and cuddling together. They were best friends.
On Monday we asked the vet to come to the house to put Guinness out of her arthritic pain! We were immensely worried about DJ when Guinness was gone and wanted him to understand. DJ laid with Guinness all that day and when the vet gave her a sedative first in a shot form. Guinness let out a yelp and Dj laid his body across the thigh that the shot was given in. Protecting her friend from pain. The vet even said she had never seen two animals with a bond so close. DJ stayed with Guinness until the clippers were used to shave a bit of paw. After Guinness was gone we showed her to DJ and he sniffed her and walked away. DJ seems to be doing okay. Better then the rest of us! Our little DJ put a breath of life into our dog for 4 unexpected years and we thank him for that!
DJ other wise known as Don Juan is a very special cat ! When he was at PetSmart and I was cleaning cages I couldn’t understand why he was always looked over and now I understand. Thank you ARF for what you do! Shelter animals are the BEST!

Sincerely ,
Susan

Collin’s Story

Collin was the last cat that hadn’t been rescued before Christmas 2011. “My little orange boy is still here,” the shelter director told us. “Is there any way you can find room for him? He’s so sweet.” The cage opened and out came one little orange paw, then another. So scared. So tentative. Collin had been through this before. He looked up and something in those sad little eyes said, “Please. If you leave me here I won’t see tomorrow.” You see poor Collin had a cold at the wrong time of year. No one would be there to treat him over the holiday so Collin would have been euthanized that day.  But luckily ARF found room for the little orange cat, and he got the medicine and TLC he needed to make a complete recovery! Collin is now a happy member of a loving new family!

From his new mom: “Collin is a little love-bug and is doing well! He doesn’t seem bothered at all to be in a new place, which is pretty amazing! My other kitty is not sure what to make of these new cat smells, yet, but I think once she adjusts they are going to be great buds. So glad you rescued this dear little guy. All your hard work for the vulnerable animals is truly special. I am so happy to know there is someone out there doing all the good work you are doing. I’ll be sure to provide you with more updates and pictures! Thank you again!” – Katherine