Updated 8-19-2011 

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See some Videos below.  You gotta see these!
Stories are below.

ENDEARING ANIMAL STORIES I invite you to read.
(A COLLECTION)

Lucky Dog.... 

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' 
 
Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
  
   
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
 
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.
 
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.  The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him!  The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
 
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
 

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom.  Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.  Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called.  It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.  
    
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong.  She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!  While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.
 

Mary forgot about dying.  Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky  - He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.  
 


Because of Love

 

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-

Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more

excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.


The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
 

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
 

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
 

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed

the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.  None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".  In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were

roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
 

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing  ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength

and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
 

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
 

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.  

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.  Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.   Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
 

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---  Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts.  This is a true story.
 


VIDEOS   Updated 8-19-2011



Click:  Sing Like No One is Listening    Priceless!
Click:  Cool Bird LOVES Ray Charles  Unbelievable!
Click:  Think Outside the Box  a cute dog ad!
Click:  Talking Animals  
Click:  Putting the Puppies to Bed:  cute, cute video
Click:  To view a touching connection between two species.
Click:  For the darnedest thing you ever saw!  Click Here
Click: For Psycho Dogs video
Click: For Psycho Cats video
 


This  is  one  special  bird.
 


 

These little bunnies, about 6 days old, were attacked by a dog and orphaned.  Two out of the litter of five did not survive, and these three were not doing very well.



 
Noah is a non-releasable, one-legged homing pigeon/rock dove that is in the rehab centre.  Noah kept going over to the bunny cage and looking in -- even sleeping in front of the door to the cage.



Then, suddenly, there were only two bunnies in the cage.  But when Noah moved a bit from the front of the cage to everyone's surprise..there was the tiny bunny.......under Noah's wing......sound asleep!  That little bunny rabbit had crawled through the cage, preferring a featherbed, no doubt to snuggling up with its littermates!



Now, they are all together and the bunnies are doing GREAT.  When the bunnies scoot underneath Noah's feathers, he carefully extends his wings out to surround them and then they snuggle.  When one of them moves and they start sticking out here and there, he gently pushes them back under him with his beak!  It is beautiful and amazing to see...... 

 

 

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Kya joined her family during a blizzard one year ago.

 

 

Kya, submitted by Janet Wilson of North Canton, Ohio

Kya joined the Wilson family during a blizzard in December 2007.

"I searched our local humane society for a 'little' puppy to join our family. Kya was the largest 'puppy' in the place. She didn't know that her body was so large ... she played just like she was a tiny dog," said Janet.

"I fell in love with her big droopy eyes and her enthusiasm. She has been a source of joy and comfort to our family ever since."

 

 






 


Mistletoe was left in a cat carrier outside a shelter one snowy Christmas Eve.



Mistletoe, submitted by Selma Algur of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Selma Algur's holiday story starts with the tragedy of losing her first dog, Sabaka, to cancer.

"I was truly devastated, and to ease my pain, I took a job as a volunteer at a local animal shelter while I was living in Illinois," she said. "There I met and soon fell in love with a grey tabby."

The tabby cat had been dropped off at the door of the shelter in nothing but a cat carrier in the snow on the day before Christmas. Another volunteer had thought that it was merely an empty carrier and only realized that it contained an animal when he picked it up to bring it inside.

"He named the cat Mistletoe, and I kept his name when I adopted him so that I could tell his story to everyone who met him. He is now a healthy and well-adjusted momma's boy who loves fresh catnip, and to have his nose rubbed. I feel truly blessed to have him in my life."

"Our message to anyone who'll listen is to adopt rather than buy from a breeder, and give an older animal the second chance they need and deserve," said Selma. "My Mistletoe seemed to understand he'd be mine forever and that his days of being in shelters and cages was over. He's turned out to be one of the sweetest little guys I've had the privilege of sharing my life with."

 

Reggie was attracted to the Christmas lights at the home of Judy and Jack Lane.

 

 





 




Reggie, submitted by Judy Lane of Rochester, Minn.

"Reggie came to us at Christmas," said Judy Lane of Rochester, Minn. "Not under the tree in a box, but drawn to the lights of our outdoor decorating."

Lane said her husband, Jack, was on a step ladder trimming their house with lights when he felt something tugging at his pant leg. When he turned to look, he discovered a small orange cat crawling up the ladder.

"It was cold, and he must have been drawn to the lights," Judy said. The family posted signs throughout the neighborhood in an attempt to find the cat's owner, and when someone claimed him, the Lanes were happy to reunite the animal with his family.

Then—a couple of days later—the small orange cat was back, and he was again captivated by the Christmas lights. "There he was, staring up at the lights," Judy Lane said.

Again, the Lanes returned the cat to his family. And again, he returned to the Lane home. This time, his family didn't reclaim him. So for the past 10 years, Reggie has secured a spot "in" the family's Christmas tree. His favorite spot is by the tree, among the lights. Even after the Christmas tree is gone, Reggie will lay where the tree was, Judy said.

Judy said, "It seems that Reggie does not see very well and it was the lights that attracted him to our home that welcomed him again and again."

Bambi, submitted by Miriam Forman-Brunell of Kansas City, Mo.

 

 

Bambi was found by her family on a walk through the woods on Thanksgiving night.

 

On Thanksgiving in 2003, Miriam Forman-Brunell and her family headed out for a romp in the woods.

"While walking along a path at the Blue River nature conservancy in Kansas City—a pristine place where hikers hike and bikers bike—we spotted an animal peering out from behind a bush. Was it a fawn? We couldn't tell," she said.

The family's dog, Teddy, wagged his tail, whined and pulled them to a cautious, but curious, beige-and-brown dog. The little dog followed the family to their car and hopped in the back seat. Forman-Brunell said she believes the dog was abandoned by her owner.

"She joined us for dinner that night and since then has never left our side," said Forman-Brunell. "On Thanksgiving, we give our thanks for Bambi!"
  
Bambi is blind now. A salivary gland below her eye abscessed and quickly spread to the other eye.

"I am now Bambi's seeing-eye person," she said.

 

Viljo was found in Finland in December 2007.

 

 

 






Viljo, submitted by Päivi Nyman of Lohja, Finland

Päivi Nyman was taking an evening walk with her mother and her mother's dog on Dec. 30, 2007 when the pair saw a cat scurry beneath a bush in front of Päivi's apartment building.

"My mom got him. I went to my home to get a carry-cot and some food," she said. The next day, Päivi took the cat to a shelter, where he stayed for 15 days.

Päivi's mother tried to keep the cat, but he was so young and was always teasing her dog.

"I took him and my mom took my female cat," said Päivi. "Now everybody is happy!"

Magi, submitted by Joann Hunter of Charlotte, N.C.

In 1999, Joann Hunter's mother was very sick and living in Florida. "I had to go see her one last time. We both knew it would probably be her last Christmas," she said.

There was limited boarding space at the veterinarian's office where Joann Hunter normally boarded her two dogs, Magi and Anna. "I reluctantly boarded them elsewhere," she said.

"After I returned home, I went to pick Anna and Magi up from the boarder's. They said Anna was there but Magi was gone."

Joann said she asked why she wasn't called when Magi escaped, but she received no answer. "They said she bit through her leash and got away," she said.

Joann took Anna home and went to look for Magi.

"I was working two jobs at the time, so my looking-time was limited. My mother died in February, and up until the day she went into the hospital the last time, my mother called every day asking if I had found Magi yet," she said.

Joann Hunter said she posted posters and lost-dog ads before asking a pet detective for help. After five weeks and 54 leads, a couple called and said they found a dog matching Magi's description hiding in the woods by their house.

"They called animal control, but they could not catch her," she said. "She was only a year old, and it her first time away from me and her sister. The couple said Magi would listen to cars in the neighborhood, come out of the woods, look and go back."

Joann Hunter took Anna, hoping the dogs would pick up each other's scent. The next day, she got a call saying Magi came out of the woods. Joann went back and Magi ran and jumped into her arms.

"We sat there at the end of their driveway, me holding her and crying tears of joy," she said. "Anna and Magi are approaching their 11th birthday. I believe my mother is smiling down from heaven

Chaplin, submitted by Nina Cordova-Ami of St. Augustine, Fla.

It was two weeks before Christmas, nine years ago, in Atlanta, Ga. Nina Cordova-Ami had another adopted dog, Maxfield, who she took for a walk in the nature trail provided by her condo association.

"For several days, I had seen a small, scraggly dog wandering around the nature walk," she said. "This one particular day, as I was walking Maxfield, I ran into my neighbor. She said to me, 'You know that little brown dog that has been wandering around? Well, I saw him this morning, cowering under a tree, and he was covered with frost.'
 
"That did it for me", she said. "I took Maxfield home and got some food which I took to the nature walk, hoping to find the little, scrawny brown dog. Well, I found him, all right. He was so afraid of people that it took me almost two hours to get him to come to me. When he did, he was crawling on the ground, unsure if he could trust me or not."

Finally, Nina got him to approach her when she had food in her hand. She scratched his chin and the dog jumped into her lap, knocked her down and started licking her face.

"It was instant chemistry. I picked him up and took him home. He weighed all of 11 pounds. I could see his ribs, he was so skinny. After lifting his leg on most of my furniture (I followed, cleaning up after him), I gave him a bath, introduced him to Maxfield, and they became fast friends. I named him 'Charlie Chaplin, the Little Tramp' and Chaplin for short. When I took him to the vet, she said he was around four or five years old."
 
After all these years, Chaplin is about 13 years old and weighs 19 pounds. He has long, fuzzy hair (Cairn Terrier mix) and is now a "champagne blonde," Nina said.

"All the years of abuse he experienced has made him wary of strangers, but he is totally devoted to me. He sleeps next to my pillow and is jealous when my other adopted dog, Baxter, a Tibetan Terrier, approaches me. He needs a lot of attention and care, which I of course provide."
 
Nina, a writer and artist, works from home with two devoted companions by her side.
 
"Chaplin got a lot of treats under the Christmas tree, and, believe it or not, he was able to sniff out those that were for him and made a party out of them, unwrapping only those that were 'doggie treats.' I still don't know how he managed that," she said.
 
"I love Chaplin, even if he wakes up in the middle of the night to jump over me and find a more comfortable position in my bed."

Cookie, submitted by Sharon Girouard of Old Town, Maine

Two-and-a-half years ago, Sharon Girouard adopted a cat, Cookie, from the local humane society. Cookie was 12 weeks old when she went to her new home in July 2006.

"The following Christmas, I had put together an artificial Christmas tree in my kitchen. Cookie climbed onto it checking out the branches."

Sharon decided that she wanted the tree in the living room instead of the kitchen, but wasn't about to take the entire tree apart again.

"I coaxed a very playful Cookie out of the tree—or so I thought—so I could carry it to the living room. I lifted the tree and tilted it forward to get it through the entranceway. I finally got it into the living room and stood the tree upright, fixing the branches. I then discovered my Cookie still clinging to the inner pole of the tree!"

"She made me laugh! Christmas with Cookie was very merry."

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Gunner, Lucky and Cody (and their sister, Ruby, not shown) were found by their new family in December 2007.

 

 









Gunner, Lucky, Ruby and Cody, submitted by Connie Connor of Levittown, Pa.

On Dec. 20, 2007, Connie Connor received a phone call from her brother about some puppies. 

"He was on a delivery in a pretty bad area in Philadelphia and saw some dogs living outside of someone's house," she said.

Her brother asked around about the dogs and found out that they were never fed, there was no water and the dogs lived outside year-round. A worker told her brother that he fed the dogs when he could or would give them his lunch. 

"My brother walked over and tried to get a better look and saw four little puppies hiding. He called me, and we decided that something had to be done! We went to the store and bought a huge bag of food and took it down to them," she said.

Connie said they knocked and tried to speak to the owners, but no one would answer. "We then went back to the workers and asked them to put us in touch with the owner; he called us with a phone number and we called the owner and asked about the pups. She told us we could come get them on Dec. 22. We called her on the 22nd and she wouldn't answer, so we drove down there (with another bag of food) and the puppies were so hungry that they tried to dig under the fencing and got out."

When Connie and her brother went to get the dogs, the owner said they would cost $20 each. Connie handed her $80 and took all four pups. 

"I brought all four pups home and found them homes within a day. There were two boys and two girls who were estimated at about four weeks old. We took them to the vet and found that they had a bad flea issue, a horrible worm issue, and giardia," she said.

They all have homes now with members of Connie's family. Her cousin has the two girls—Lucky and Ruby—and another cousin has one boy, Cody. Connie took the other boy, Gunner.

They celebrated their first birthday Nov. 22 and the dogs get together at least once a month for play dates. 

"I hope everyone else can help out unfortunate dogs, and please don't buy from a pet store," Connie said. "Find a dog that has a bad situation and make it a good one."
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Chrissy, submitted by Anne Zachritz

"We were driving home early on a very, very cold Christmas morning last year (2007). As we passed through downtown Oklahoma City, we saw a little puppy in front of a bank, trying to warm up over a storm sewer. She didn't have a collar on and there were no 'missing puppy' signs posted," said Anne Zachritz. "She was scared but was so cold that she seemed to trust us right away and let me pick her up and put her in my lap.

The family found a veterinarian who was open on Christmas day, and ensured the dog received her shots and medical treatment. 

The family tried to find a home for her, but decided to keep her. "Plus, we fell madly in love with her at first sight," Anne said. "She was about three months old (maybe) when we found her. She has been an absolute joy and has given our old dogs a lot of energy! We named her Chrissy (short for 'Christmas Puppy')."

Tonka and Zippy

GALLOWAY TWP.--- Tonka, a seven year old German Shepard, had a chance on Tuesday afternoon, to check on the welfare of the tiny kitten that he rescued last week.

"...He is a hero for going out there and finding that kitty," said Tonka's owner Nancy Malluck.

It was last Friday, during the early morning hours, that Malluck's husband John let the dog out into the front yard of their Galloway Township home, "....I let the dog out and the dog jumped the fence and came back with a plastic bag with a kitten in it."

Apparently someone without much of a heart or conscience had put the kitten in a zip-lock bag, before tossing it onto the shoulder of the road in front of Mallucks house -- Tonka evidently heard the weak mews coming from the kitten.

Later that morning, Malluck took the three week old female kitten to Atlantic Animal Health Center, where staff, including Dr. Lori Nordt, nursed her back to health, "....she had low blood sugar, but once we fed her she bounced back and she's doing great, she's thriving."

Malluck said it comes as no surprise that his dog would do a heroic deed. He said Tonka has always had a 'thing' about taking care of small animals around the property.

Malluck also said that Tonka has some law enforcement background -- he was expelled from a police K-9 academy a number of years ago, for being too hyper-active, "....the guy that I bought him from used to be a bounty hunter and he used to take him out doing bounty hunting with him, so he definitely has some training."

The kitten, now named 'Zippy' will be put up for adoption in several weeks.

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Puppy Size

 

Puppy Size

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end (you'll want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends)!

'Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this a animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,' the mother told the volunteer. 'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked. 'Puppy size!' replied the mother.

Puppies

'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.' 'I know... we have seen most of them,' the mom said in frustration...
Just then Danielle came walking into the office 'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom. 'No, not this time,' Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on the weekend?'

puppy

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed 'You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply,' the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. 'Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend,' she said. Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her; they both felt she was being too particular. 'It's this weekend or we're not looking any more,' Dad finally said in frustration.

Puppies

'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,' Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

 Puppies


Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, 'Sorry, but you're not the one.' It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!'

She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!'

 

Puppy
 


'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,' Mom said. 'No not size. The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,' she said. 'Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!' The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

'Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,' she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, 'Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!' 

Puppy


Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. 'Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

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