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“What is it about animal lovers that make non-animal lovers think we're nuts? Maybe it those stupid outfits we dress them in during the holidays... you know... the Santa hats at Christmas, the rabbit ears at Easter, the Witch hats on Halloween... etc. I mean really, what is wrong with us? But with that said, I must confess, I think my dogs really like it! So who am I to deny them?

My husband and I treat out dogs like they're human. In fact they seem more human than some human beings I know. At times, they are more patient and certainly more appreciative than many folks I've met. And they love ya unconditionally... now how many people have you met that can love you like that?

One of our dogs is a Bichon/Poodle mix that was rescued from a Dog Pound in North Carolina in December 1999. I found him the day he was going to be euthanised, which was one week before Christmas. It was explained to me that Fritz was a very nasty dog and probably could never be socialized. I walked over to his cage... looked him square in the eyes... and if a dog could psychically send a message... his was read loud and clear... "GET ME THE HECK OUT OF HERE!"

I adopted him that day. I took him to my Veterinarian and it soon became clear why his temperament was so disagreeable. He had so many health ailments... ear infections, bad teeth, back problems, enlarged heart, fleas, skin infections, and the list goes on...

When I brought him home he hid. I let him be. He'd come out to eat, to take a walk outside, then he'd hide again. With each passing day he must have come to the realization that he was in a safe place. And all the medicine he was on must have made him start to feel better too. Because he began to hide less and less often.

Two days before Christmas that year I was in bed with the flu. I remember hearing the pitter patter of little paws climbing the staircase and from around the door jam I saw his little face looking at me. It was the first time Fritz had walked upstairs and now, here he was...walking intothe bedroom and over to the bed he came, tail slightly lowered, but wagging just the same. He let me pick him up and I placed him next to me, where he curled up in a small ball of fluff... and where he remained for the rest of the day. Now it was his time to comfort me. See what I mean about animals? They are just so amazing!

It took me almost a year to nurse him back to health and with every passing week that Fritz was in less pain, his temperament changed. He ended up being the friendliest dog I have ever known... and I have known many!

The photo posted here is of Fritz sitting at the dinner table. Okay, so it was staged and he really doesn't sit at our dinner table... we reserve that treat for holidays only. (lol) You can chalk thephoto up to the same category as dressing dogs in outfits. It's just something animal lovers like to do... pose them, dress them, carry them in purses... it's all the same to me.The bottom line is this... we love 'em and they love us!

Kit Danes De Roche

Kit is a North Carolina State licensed Wildlife Rehabiliator who has written many articles about her work with wildlife and domestic animals. She moved to Florida in 2004 and now resides in Palm City with her husband and four dogs.

Any unauthorized use, distribution and/or photocopying of this transmission and the information it contains is unauthorized and prohibited absent express consent of the named recipient.” - Kit Danes

Posted by Kit Danes DeRoche on 05/27/2009:
"Our sweet little boy Fritz, pictured above died on May 27, 2008. The passing of our precious and much loved family member washed us with the grief and feelings of profound loss that only a fellow animal lover can understand.


Dear Lord, please open your gates and call St. Francis to come escort my beloved companion across the Rainbow Bridge. Assign him to a place of honor,for he has been a faithful servant and has always done his best to please us. Grant us the strength not to dwell on our loss. Help us remember the details of his life with the love he have shown us. And grant us the courage to honor him by sharing those memories with others. Let him remember us as well and let him know that we will always love them. And when it's our time to pass over into your paradise, please allow him to accompany those who will bring us home. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of his companionship and for the time we've had together. And thank you, Lord for granting us the strength to accept his passing, knowing that he is finally at rest and in peace. Amen."

Posted by Reed and Vanessa on 05/05/2008:
"Are you writing Fritz's biography, or are you writing a "short" story?"

Posted by AndreaMarieC on 05/20/2006:
"Amazing story, I feel the same way about my dog(baby). You are an awesome person!"

Posted by CINDY on 05/19/2006:
"WHAT A GREAT STORY (AND STORY TELLER).
Thank you from one dog lover to another, for saving another precious life."

Posted by daphne on 04/21/2006:
""Adorable!""