Merry Christmas

Christmas was Perry favorite time of the year as he LOVED Santa, especially all the presents from St. Nick. May this year the Angel brings Perry from heaven to visit his family still loves and misses him dearly.

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Wish all the furry kids and your family all have a wonderful holidays.

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Perry and His Family.

Happy Birthday Perry

Happy 15th years old birthday to our dearest angel boy, Perry.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all the furry kids and their family

Hugs

Perry & Family

Happy Halloween

The very last Halloween photos taken on 10/31/2007

before Perry left to get his tricky treat.

Halloween is the best time for children and furry kids to get silly and have fun with their cute costumes on. Perry and his family wish his four paws friends have lots and lots of treats today.

Warm Regards.

From Perry & His Family

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How animals are weathering Hurricane Ike?

Double click below photo, and it will link you to Houston Chronicle photo gallery.

Just wanted to share the photos on how our four paws pals handled Hurricane Ike.

Here is the URL for those who have difficult to view the pictures:

http://www.chron.com/channel/petshouston/photogallery/How_animals_are_weathering_Hurricane_Ike.html

A story of a little boy named Perry

Perry's last photo taken on 1/25/08. His dinning seat, treadmill, and walk-in closet.

We would like to share one of Perry's last photos that was taken back in January of this year. There isn't a day we don't think of Perry. We always wonder what he is doing in heaven. His dinning seat remains empty since the day he earned his wings. Perry's photo still left on his dinning chair to ease our pain without him, and reminded the good old times that we had meals with him together for the past 14 years. His treadmill has since been unplugged. His clothes hanging in his walk-in closet became the only comfort for our family to smell and feel his presences. Everyday we talk about him as if he is still here with us.

The story began with love at first sight. Perry was only 10 weeks old when we brought him home. It was difficult for puppy Perry received one on one potty training as other puppies and mature Shih Tzus required love and care also. Therefore, little Perry arrived to his new home to start his puppy schooling.

The little guy potty training lessons turned out to be our first step to build the strongest bond with him. Our family took turns and patiently taught potty training to 10 weeks old Perry. He learned potty trained very quick with positive reinforcement, rewards, and constant encouragement. Each time when he poop or peep in his restroom upstairs, he earned a quarter. Dogs do not know the value of money. However, dogs like listening to different sounds, and investigating different scents with their noses. Perry liked listening to the sound when the quarter dropped into the container. Soon, Perry was teething and required chewing toy. We were very lucky able to save his loosen puppy teeth. Without noticing, our family became inseparable from this black & white little guy.

Our family knew it was very important to raise the little guy with love and proper care. There were 2:1 (human:puppy) ratio in the house. So, Perry would feel secure with his new living environment, and got all the attention he needed and wanted. This little guy became so adorable and loved by family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

Perry, like most of the cats & dogs, had his silly moment. Even at age14, Perry still loved being praised that he had beautiful teeth and fine silky luscious coat. He disagreed that he was a noisy sleeper. He was able to smell food cooking in the kitchen downstairs, and ran down to get up to his dinning seat himself. He always sat properly to wait for his breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If it took too long cooking in the kitchen, he would get up and down to check out why it took so long for the meal. He did not like to get up early and ate breakfast on Monday due to exhaust from playing and going out over the weekend.

We were often being asked why Perry's hair being maintained at dog show length. He was the only kid at home. There is no other furry or human kid. So, it wasn't a big deal to maintain the long coat. Besides, a champion is not born with, but how these puppies are being nurtured, raised, and kept over the years. Routine physical and dental exams, nutritious food, and loved them with all your passion do the magic. The loved and cared that Perry received allowing his true color and beauty showed himself.

Perry brought love and togetherness to our boring life. His smiles and positive engery are the best medicine to his family. The loneliness and despair are inevitable without him.

A Heartfelt Thanks from Perry and His Family

Prince Charming Perry 12/13/93 - 3/28/08

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Special THANKS To

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Texas A & M Small Animal Hospital

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Sunset Blvd Animal Clinic

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UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

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Devoted Pet Cremation

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Diva Dog Bowtique

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Furriar Photography

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Perry's Puppia Harness Friends

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Friends & Family

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Dear Friends & Family,

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Perry and his family want to express our sincere gratitude for the thoughtful food, cards, emails, calls, photo frames, and monetary donation you sent. It meant a great deal to us.

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Sincerely,The Family of Perry

Celebration of Perry's Life

It has been a month since Perry passed away. Look back, Perry brought our family happiness and constant laughter. Every living moment was wonderful and joyful. We grieved for 30 days, it is time to pay tribute to Perry's Life. Perry never endorsed sadness and sorrow; he gave us purpose of life. He taught us taking life easy, enjoyed what we have and always count our blessing. We were blessed of caring this little Shih Tzu for the past 14 years. There were so much Perry gave us that we want to share with everyone because his life was not always just "Cancer" or "Illness"; Perry was sweet, gentle, energetic, and playful. He is such a friendly pooch that even someone has dog phobia would like him instantly.

We made a scrapbook to celebrate Perry's life and hope you will enjoy it as much as his family.

Thanks for everyone support and care.

Perry's family.

Remembrance of Perry

*Urn and Keepsake Necklaces*

*Keepsake box and signed photo frame*

*Small Gift to Monetary and Keepsake Signed Photo Donors*

Perry's family wait after 14 days and finally to post pictures of his urn, keepsake necklace, and what were being done during that last 14 days. To respect and honor his departure to heaven, pictures can't be taken until after 15 days.

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It is a blessing that the engraved urn and keepsake jewelry arrived on the 7th day. We stored his ashes into his urn immediately. Remembrance candles lighted on the 7th day, 14th day, and the next day after the 7th and 14th day to honor his passing, but remain presence in his family heart.

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Perry and his family were truly blessed from above that he received monetary donation and signed keepsake photo frame. Since Perry had human funeral arrangement and service, his family followed the tradition returned small gifts to those who had contributed to the monetary donation and keepsake signed photo frame.

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The small gift was given on the 7th day or 14th day to thanks for the kindness and thoughtful of the donors. Each item of in the small gift has meaning. The wash cloth represent our thanks to you for wiping the family tears during the difficult time. The candies symbolize your sweetness and the family thanks for your kindness. The silver coin is for the recipients to spend so that they will receive blessing from above for all the goodness that you did while the individual still alive. The items given in an odd number which symbolizes the individual (Perry) departed this world alone.

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For all his Puppia harness friends that sent cards and emails, the kitties and pooches received a small gift also. They are part of the Perry's friends that his family care deeply also.

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In the meantime, Perry's family put all his personal items that collected over the years into a black keepsake box. The items in the box include his hair & whisker, bite off nails, puppy tooth, death certificate, favorite smile face ball, an extra cremation top knot barrette. and some pictures.

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Perry was not just a pet, but he became part of our faimly. We are never ready to give up that part of our life that has always been precious to us. But just the mathematics of aging should have been enough to warn and prepare us that inevitable moment. At times we didn't want to listen and accept his cancer progression.

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The joy of having Perry for the past 14th years were much greater than the sadness of his departure. The laughter and happiness outweighted the sadness & sorrow.

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The next post will be on the 4/28/08 which is exactly the 30th day after his passed on. The title will be Celebration of Perry's life.

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Thanks for everyone donation, cards, and emails during this difficult time. We will definitely share lots more to readers after the Celebration of Perry's live posted to this blog.

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Once again, thanks for everyone from the deepest of our heart.

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Warmest Regards.

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Perry's family.

Perry's Cremation

Perry

12/13/1993 - 3/28/2008

14 years old

3/27/08 midnight til 3/28/08 morning

Perry's condition took another dramatic turn. His front legs were no longer able to mobilize either. His body rejected fluids intake. He puked violently each time after drank water. Therefore, our family decided to stop giving him water. This is a fact that we had to accept there was no quality of life on this little boy.

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3/28/08

Our family were in so much fear, tremble, and nervously anticipating Dr. Young's arrival. We talked to Perry that Dr. Young gonna come to our home to help him feel better. We told him that after seen by Dr. Young, he would feel strong again and be able to run around like before with no pain anymore.

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Dr. Young and his assistance Kelly arrived at 6:16 p.m.. They saw Perry's weak body lying on the couch. The procedure started at 6:25 p.m.. Dr. Young had no difficulty to find the vein on his arm. Perry eyes were closed and was very quite. He did not make any sound during the catheter insertion and injection of the first three SQ anesthetic medications. Dr. Young looked into our eyes and informed us before he administrated the last deadly injection. Once the last injection started, Perry screamed repeatedly. We know that lethal injection is not painless. Our nerve system can feel the suffocation from the toxin. It is not different from strangle a life after locked out the person. It was painful like a sharp knife stabbed to our heart when Perry screamed. We kept telling him we were here with him. He was gone after screamed 4 times and had his last 2 breathes after that. Perry departed at 6:28 p.m.. Dr. Young check his heart and confirmed the death at 6:31p.m., and they left at 6:32 p.m.. We held his lifeless body and couldn't stop crying.

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Perry was given a bath by his family at 6:40 p.m. ready for the next day cremation. He wore a new PJ, and had his last show dog top knot hair done. He wore a new hair barrette that specially made by Tess for the cremation. He slept in the bedroom for the very last time.

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3/29/08 Day of Sorrow and Cremation

We all woke up early to prepare his casket for cremation. He was being carried downstairs from the bedroom to living area so he could sleep on his favorite big pillow. We put 2 family pictures inside his casket. One is underneath the bone shape pillow, and another was placed in the tiny pocket on his PJ. We then arranged the roses around on the edge of the casket.

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Perry's body was rested in the casket. He was covered with a blanket with a rose held between his front paws. Our family then said our last goodbye and prayer at around 7:00 a.m.. We left the house before 7:10 a.m., and arrived at the funeral home right on time. The funeral director was very nice. We were allowed to assist in putting his casket to the cremation oven. Our family witnessed the cremation process and when the ashes were removed from the oven to a container.

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Our family carried Perry's ashes and left the funeral home before 9:30 a.m.. We are now waiting for the urn and the keepsake jewelry's arrival.

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Thank you everyone emails, calls, visits, mental support, and condolences during this difficult time.

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Warmest Regards from the deepest of our heart.

Perry's Arrangment

Perry is scheduled to be put to sleep at home this Friday. Dr. Young is so kindly and willingly come to our home after office hour this Friday evening. His body will stay at home overnight. He will be scheduled to have cremation at 8:00 a.m.. Saturday morning at Devoted Pets Cremation. His ashes will bring home the same day.

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Perry's condition is getting gray. He is no longer able to mobilize his back legs since midnight last night. He started moaning terribly. He was like a paralyzed pooch helplessly trying to move his body to the restroom. Once he got into restroom, he was so weak that he couldn't stand still during bowel movement.

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There is no quality of life and unethical to allow this precious little guy suffering because of his family naive and selfishness. It is a heartwrenching decision to relief his spirit out of his poor weak body this way.

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Thanks for everyone support during this difficult time.

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It means a lot to him and his family.

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Warmest Regards.

Happy Easter and Perry Condition Update

On behalf of Perry, Happy Easter to all of the kitties, puppies, and their families.

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It is a blessing that our DEAREST LORD allows Perry to celebrate Easter with his family.

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Perry's condition remains the same. Nothing change since the last post.

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The above picture is one of the sweater that Perry's mother knitted for him ever since he lost all the weight. To keep his chest warm and control arthritis pain, his mommy knitted him 2 new sweaters. Perry loves to select pattern and yarns himself. Then, he patiently waiting for his mom finished knitting his sweaters.

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Why select a pig as pattern? Perry has a lot of nick names. One of the nick name that he has is chubby piglet. The hand knitted sweaters are great for this unstable weather.

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Once again, Perry and his family wish everyone have a HAPPY EASTER.

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Kind Regards.

Perry Last Stage Cancer Current Condition

This is an update of Perry last stage cancer battle condition. He requires attention, love, and especially care more than before. He is losing lots of weight since last post. He used to be 16lbs, and now is about 8lbs. He is getting harder to arouse after sleep, and completeky lose of appetite. He is extremely bony, like an anorexia pooch. The lose of appetite affects not only his weight, but his energy level also.

He has vitamin B12 SQ twice a week to boost up his overall health. He is taken liquid multi-vitamin (made by Pfizer) also. The prednisone has improved his arthritis condition and slightly increase the appetite. Without the prednisone, he completely refuses to eat at all.

He still loves going shopping. However, the trip needs to make it short so he can more rest to recoup his energy level.

The tumors getting larger and more tiny nodules can be felt when checking him. The tumor located on the left side of his neck seems like pressing his optic nerve. As a result, it affects his vision. Although he is still able to see, he relies on smell and sound more. Like when feeding him water, it takes a while for him to know the water is in front of him. Then, he needs a lot of break when drinking water.

The little guy still goes to restroom independently. In the past, the restroom light was turn off at night as he normally slept through the night. Now, it has to turn on as he may wake up in the middle of the night, and need to use the restroom. He has bowel movement once a week, but the stool is loose every time because he does not eat much daily.

The things that were ordered for the farewell day had arrived. So, when time comes, everything is ready. Everything is nicely made and suitable for the little boy that is so loving to his family.

Since he lost a lot of weight, his old clothes are no longer fitting him. He has new clothes to cover his chest, body, and bottom to keep him strong and well. His mommy knits him 2 more sweaters. As soon as the 2nd sweater is finished, it will be shared with everyone.

The little guy has very strong mind and alert. His positive attitude gives courage & strength to provide him the best quality of life.

Thank you for everyone email and support.
It means a lot when this heartbroken family feels so lonely and helpless in this dying journey.

Warm Regards

Perry Casket, Urn, and Keepsake Jewelry are selected

Dear Dr. Barton, Dr. Willard, Dr. Young, colleagues, friends, & family,

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It is extremely difficult to tell you folks of the arrangment. Therefore, the best way to pass on the message is by using Perry's Blog. The casket, urn, and keepsake jewelry already selected. The biodegradable casket was ordered yesterday. Therefore, when time comes, there is not needed to worry he is in a piece of crappy box. He deserves roomy and comfortably rest in peace.

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I called Devoted Pets. The funeral home is willing to work with the request of private viewing cremation process. When time comes, this little boy's body arrives there early in the morning with us together. He will be the first one have it done, we can witness the process, and bring him home on the same day.

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It is easier to take care of it now instead of later. Grief and sorrow make it so hard for broken heart oneself to prepare a good service that the little guy well deserves.

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Thank you for all of your care and support during this difficult time.

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Warm Regards.

Perry, Last Stage of Cancer Battle

Perry cancer progression is at the last stage. His left side of the body from neck to the bottom is fully growth of cancer. His internal organs situation are also the same. This little guy is currently under palliative and supportive care, just like human living at hospice.
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His hair still hasn't growth back after being shaved for IV fluids and SQ injection in the ICU at Texas A & M College Station Small Animal Hospital last month. There is a good article that Perry and I would like to share with other owners that their pets are battling of cancer.
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More pets getting end-of-life care
About 30 vets nationwide offer hospice for terminally ill cats and dogs
By Maryann Mott

The healthcare option that eased the end of life for Uncle Bill or Aunt Mary is now widely available for Fido and Mittens.
For terminally ill pets, hospice care gives owners an alternative to expensive medical procedures or early euthanasia by teaching them how to nurse their dog or cat at home.
"Most of the people who opt for this particular service have actually gone through the [hospice care] experience with a human family member," said Kathryn Marocchino, founder of The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets in Vallejo, Calif.
Growing trend A handful of forward-thinking veterinarians have offered hospice care for decades. But it wasn't until the Nikki Foundation, an educational and referral service, formed in 1998 that the idea began to slowly catch on in the profession.
Today, about 30 veterinarians nationwide offer the end-of-life guidance.
In March 2008, the foundation will hold the first symposium ever on pet hospice care, at the University of California in Davis — an event Marocchino hopes will encourage more vets to offer the service.
Hospice care doesn't aggressively treat terminally ill dogs and cats. Instead, animals are cared for at home and made comfortable through the use of painkillers and holistic methods, until pets die or their owners decide to euthanize.
While some pets only survive a few days, others live longer than expected—sometimes years— with supportive care.
Marocchino said about 40 percent of owners with ill or dying pets now opt for hospice care.
"I think people are embracing this idea more and more," she said. "It's becoming a bit more popular for people and it's also becoming, almost exponentially, more popular for pets."
Grief counselors Pet hospice teams usually consist of veterinarians, technicians and grief counselors.
Primary caregivers are taught skills needed to care for their pets, such as administering medication, changing dressings or giving fluids. They also learn about impending signs of death or different scenarios that can occur and what to do.
A 24-hour support system is in place for owners to obtain help over the phone, or, in some cases, veterinarians make house calls.
Nursing a sick animal, though, is emotionally and physically draining, especially for elderly owners or those who work full-time. A few veterinary hospitals have special hospice units where short-term care is provided. Veterinary technicians or trained volunteers also go to homes and "babysit" ill pets.
Quality of life A successful program makes sure the pet is not suffering, said Alice Villalobos, DVM and owner of Pawspice, an end-of-life care clinic in Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Clients are given a "quality-of-life scale" that rates such things as happiness, hurt and hunger. Owners check the scale daily or weekly to help them decide if they should continue with the program or humanely euthanize their pet.
"When the time comes to let the pet go, owners feel satisfied knowing that they have given that pet what the pet gave to them, which is unconditional love," said Villalobos.
Honor and dignity For Los Angeles resident James Symington, premature euthanasia is not an option for Trakr, his retired search-and-rescue police dog.
The German shepherd was one of the first on the scene after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks looking for survivors in the smoldering rubble.
Today, Trakr can no longer walk without assistance. Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disease, has robbed the former canine cop of the use of his hind legs.
Symington said hospice care allows him to properly care for his 14-year-old dog while preserving his partner's dignity and quality of life.
"It was also a way for us to honor Trakr for all his years of unconditional service and love, not only to me and my family but to the many others he helped through his work [as a police dog] and search and rescue efforts," he said.
© 2008 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22097836/
MSN Privacy . Legal© 2008 MSNBC.com

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you.

I received my red lucky money envelope early this morning.

I will attend the Chinese New Year festival this weekend.

Texas A & M Visit

I had my oncology visit with Dr. Barton on 1-22-08. It was a long day, and lots of tests were done. I was so happy to see Dr. Willard and threw myself into his arms when I saw him. Everyone is still very concerned my lack of appetite, weight loss, and do not have bowel movement for days.

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I went to see Dr. Young on 1-24-08 as Dr. Willard has given instruction of Palliative and Supportive Care treatment plan for Dr. Young to follow. Dr Willard also instructed everyone in the family needs to do patient calendar and closely monitor my situation.

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I have my beauty treatment and photos taken by my photographer this morning. It is so kind on both of them willing to do it for me in such a short notice (1 day).

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It is so kind that everyone asking my health and so supportive.

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Perry with Love

Dog Misses Feline BFF

This story I want to share with you all. None of my relatives like pets. They do not believe we are intelligent and have feeling. If you (uncle and aunt) read my blog this week, this is a proof to you that we are same as you folks. We are loving and caring. In fact, our passion, love, and forgiven are much bigger than human. Here is the story about a dog misses his campanion so much after his BFF moved on to the rainbow bridge.
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Oscar, an 18-month-old Lancashire Heeler, missed his best friend so much that he dug up the late cat’s grave and brought the body back into the house to be reunited with him.
The dog saw his owner dig a grave in the garden for Arthur, the 17-year-old family cat, and put him in the hole.
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When Oscar’s owners woke up the next morning, they found Oscar curled up next to Arthur’s body in his bed.
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Oscar and Arthur were the best of friends and were inseparable, and Arthur, who was a larger cat, even used to help Oscar onto the sofa.
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Oscar’s owners said, “He had managed to climb out through the cat flap in the night, obviously with the intent to get Arthur back. Bearing in mind that Arthur was a huge cat, Oscar must have used all the strength he could muster. Then he pulled him into the basket and went to sleep next to him. Arthur’s coat was gleaming white. Oscar had obviously licked him clean. It must have taken him nearly all night.”

Diamond Pet Food 3.1 million settlement

Overview
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit about certain Diamond Pet Food products. The settlement provides for an amount of $3.1 million to pay consumers who purchased recalled Diamond Pet Food products, and to compensate dog owners whose dogs were injured by eating Diamond Pet Food products.

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Settlement Benefits
If the settlement is approved and you are a Class Member, you may be eligible to receive a benefit. Diamond has agreed to create a settlement fund of $3.1 million to pay for valid claims and for Court awarded attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. The settlement provides that consumers who purchased recalled dog food and did not already return it for a refund may receive money, provided the Class Member establishes that he or she purchased recalled Diamond Dog Food and did not return it. Additionally, the settlement fund provides that Class Members who submit a valid claim showing that their dog was injured or that they incurred a veterinary bill as a result of Diamond Dog Food will be entitled to payment for veterinary expenses. The settlement also provides that Diamond will pay Court awarded attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred in this lawsuit. Please review the Settlement Agreement for complete details regarding these benefits. To make a claim for settlement benefits, you must send in a completed Claim Form, postmarked no later than April 15, 2008. Download a Claim Form.
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Request Exclusion from the Settlement Class
If you do not want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by March 16, 2008 or you will not be able to sue Diamond Pet Foods about these claims ever again. If you exclude yourself, you will not get any money from the settlement. To exclude yourself, you must send a letter by mail stating that you want to be excluded. You must include your name, address, telephone number and signature. You must mail your exclusion request postmarked no later than March 16, 2008 to the following address:
Diamond Pet Food Settlementc/o The Garden City Group, Inc. Claims AdministratorP.O. Box 9214Dublin, OH 43017-4614
Please review the Settlement Agreement for complete details regarding objecting to the settlement.

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Object to the Settlement Terms
If you stay in the Settlement Class, and you wish to object to the settlement, you must notify the Court of your intent to object by February 26, 2008. You may appear at the Settlement Fairness Hearing (see below for details) to present objections to the settlement or any of its terms or provisions, including costs, attorney fees, or otherwise. Please review the Settlement Agreement for complete details regarding objecting to the settlement.

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Settlement Fairness Hearing
The Court will hold the Settlement Fairness Hearing on March 26, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. to consider whether to approve the settlement and a request for attorneys’ fees by the lawyers representing the Class Members.

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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES:
February 26, 2008
Objection Deadline, postmarked or received
March 16, 2008
Exclusion Deadline, postmarked or received
March 26, 2008at 1:30 p.m.
Settlement Fairness Hearing
April 15, 2008
Claim Form Deadline, postmarked or received

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Link to Diamond Pet Food Settlement: http://www.recalledpetfoodsettlement.com/

Happy New Year to four paws princes and princesses

Wish you are stronger and healthier this year

May this new year bring more joy and happiness

to you and your family

Hugs and Kisses

Perry