Pet Stories

On a warm sunny afternoon in June 1999, my new family inched their way westward on the Long Island Expressway toward LaGuardia airport in Queens NY. Little did they know that we would soon meet their new relative that would forever change their lives. My plane from Tennessee taxied to the gate and I vividly remember how the little nine year old boy’s face lit up the moment he saw me and I felt the same about him. We were instantly best friends. They named me Munchkin. I was a tiny four-week-old black, white and yellow Havanese puppy (they soon discovered the yellow was ‘number 1’, from my trip, and they washed it off).

It is with a very sad and heavy heart that I find myself having to type this letter. On November 18th, 2008, I lost my beloved dog and friend, Keesha Baby. I can say that I was so lucky to have been blessed to have her for so many years. She lived to be 17 and she was my companion for 15 of those years.

Keesha lived her life to the very end with love, energy and never once did she seem to complain. She was the happiest, most laid-back dog I have ever owned.

It's weird because that morning everything was fine.

I wanted to share with you the story of my precious little dog "Scooter". He was born with his two front legs missing. One day I received a phone call from my aunt who raises hairless chihuahuas. She informed me that one of her dogs had three pups and that two of them were missing their front legs. After a few hours, one of the pups passed on but the other seemed to be doing okay. She figured no one would want the little guy.

I told her that we would take him. I have a child with special needs and figured it would be good for her to have a "special" dog like her. I took the pup, hoping I could give him a somewhat normal life. We had no idea what was in store for us.

Toronto, ON (May 4, 2009) - Fiercely determined, courageous and tenacious. These are a few of the characteristics describing the four amazing animals Nemo, Ace, Sophie and Jarod inducted into the 41st annual Purina Animal Hall of Fame this morning in Toronto. Honoured in a formal ceremony at PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, the permanent home of the Purina Animal Hall of Fame, each of these animal heroes demonstrate how the unique bond between animals and people can ultimately save a human life.