Snowbear never got adopted, but he always had a home.

He was so sweet, and beautiful, with eyes so blue they could see through you. A soul so gentle, his body should have had angel wings. He was never picked for adoption at the county shelter and became part of the AALOC family. Though many visitors looked at his stunning beauty in awe, they always had a reason (too big, too much hair) to not adopt the dog who just wanted a lap to lay his head on.

In June 2009, Snowbear seemed tired, he didn't want to get up, didn't feel like eating. He was rushed to a local vet who missed a critical diagnosis of bleeding around his heart. Snowbear held his head in the volunteers lap, while a pet ambulance rushed him to Advanced Critical Care where the dangerous blood that was squeezing his heart was aspirated. Within minutes we had our Snowbear back and everyone got a lick...but our relief was short lived, and we were told that a tumor on his heart was the cause... there was no saving him from this diagnosis. Snowbear spent the next few weeks with his AALOC family, getting lots of treats, lots of attention, and mostly, lots of love until he got his angel wings on July 09, 2007.

Groucho: My hero

About a year ago I was asked to take in Groucho, an older chow mix, to nurse him back to health. Several months after losing an eye to cancer, he developed an 3 mm ulcer in his stomach from arthritis medication. Groucho made it through the surgery but was unable to walk or eat on his own. But as I was to learn, Groucho was a fighter. A month after he came home with me, I brought him back to the vet for a recheck. The staff and the vet were amazed at his recovery. He was their miracle boy!

Over the next eight months my friend Groucho managed very well. He loved walking around outdoors and would go in and out on his own. He loved to eat, loved a treat now and then, and even got along with my dogs. In his younger days, he was considered quite 'feisty'! Groucho had been rescued by two other animal groups, but both returned him to be euthanized at the animal shelter because he didn't get along with other dogs. As he aged and mellowed, he would simply wander among them with his head held high. Often, when I sat at my computer he would stand by me and lean his head against my leg so he could get a pat on the head or a scratch to his ears.

Several months ago, Groucho lost vision in his only remaining eye due to glaucoma. The vets said that he would adapt over time and when he found his water bowl on his own, I counted this as a major victory.

However time and his age were finally working against him. Not able to take his arthritis medication any longer, new drugs were tried without success. One day, he let me know that he was tired of the battle. He left no doubt but we still struggled with the decision to let him go. We said goodbye on February 5th, very peacefully in my home. We sat around him, petting him and telling him we loved him. There were tears and very heavy hearts, but we knew his long struggle was over, and he was at peace.

I was honored to be Groucho's foster mom for the last year of his life. He taught me about strength and dignity.

I want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Tara Haddad who came to my home to make Groucho's transition as easy and comfortable as possible, not only for him but for all of us who were there.

I would like to thank AALOC for believing that Groucho's life mattered even after he was given up by other animal groups, never chosen for adoption, but he had a heart, soul, and spirit that will continue to be missed by all of us who loved him and knew his life had value.
Kathy Alberti

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France