The loyalty of dogs told through 20 incredible stories

My wife and I were blessed to have a wonderful, playful boxer named Texas. My wife had raised him since he was only six weeks old. He never left her side and faithfully slept at the foot of the bed with her pink bathrobe each night. When my wife was diagnosed with ALS and had to be moved out of our bedroom and into a hospital bed, Tex still slept right by her feet for six whole months even though he barely fit. My wife was eventually moved to hospice and when I brought Tex to visit her he hopped right up onto the bed and put his paws on her hand. That night Tex was restless and chose to sleep on the floor. When I woke up the next morning I discovered that Tex had passed away after covering himself with my wife’s pink bathrobe. My wife passed away the next day from the ravages of ALS. At the memorial service people told me that Texas knew my wife would shortly be taking a voyage of no return; and that he loved her so much that he went ahead to prepare her for the voyage and be her faithful companion and give her comfort like he always did. —Jim Sherrard

My dog Cela was always watching out for everybody else. One particularly windy night when I was letting Cela and her brother Gany out before bed the back door swung open without me noticing. Our indoor cat ran outside and Cela, knowing that she wasn’t built to face the outdoors, ran after her. She herded the cat back indoors even though she’s not a herding dog and was never taught how to do that but instead sprung into action when she knew one of her family members was in danger. —Kaethe Mentrum

Try these tricks to make your dog smarter. 

After my 12-year-old son passed away from leukaemia, my husband brought home a collie puppy that we named Charlie. At first, I resented how full of life he was, but I slowly started to warm up to him. He would jump up on me and bark, and if I ever became angry he would lick my face. He helped me get out of bed and get back to normal. He would go skiing with my husband, play with my son, and was a great companion to my dad. Therapy was recommended for my family after my son died, but we didn’t need it, we had Charlie. —Charlene Wexler

We have a 16-year-old puggle named Tucker that has no idea he’s a dog. He really just thinks he is part of the family. He loves to greet every person in the room and give them hugs when it’s time for them to leave. He’s also even saved my life a few times. I’m a diabetic and when my sugar gets low at night, he wakes me up and will not leave me alone until I’m feeling better. —Terry Davis

Learn the special ways your pet is trying to say ‘I love you’. 

I have two “superdogs”, Toby and Bailey. When I lost my other dog, Bijon, they started doing things that he would do to cheer me up. They missed him too, but they knew I needed comfort more. Dogs really love us and want us to be happy and the sometimes show you that in remarkable ways. —Dianne Grooms

My family and I have a Welsh Corgi named Skippy. I am profoundly hearing-impaired as are my two children. Almost as soon as Skippy came to live with us, she seemed to sense that my children and I could not hear. When someone would come to the door, Skippy did not bark but instead would jump up from where she was, go to the door to make sure someone was there, and then she would run over to me and nudge me until I got to the door. What was so impressive about this behaviour is that Skippy wouldn’t do it for my husband, who has perfect hearing. If she wanted to get his attention she would bark. She adapted to her family very quickly and remains loyal to this day. —Becky Meyers

Learn the 53 mistakes dog owners make. 

When I fell on a slippery grassy slope, I lost hold of my beloved Duffie’s leash. In spite of his freedom, he stayed by my side, barking for someone to come to my aid. Duffie died at the age of seventeen and would have lived longer, had I not, as my final act of love, had him put down. That was in 2001. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my super dog. —Bonnie Hannes

Look out for these shockingly common dog dangers in your own backyard. 

Colby was a retired seeing eye dog and lived with my brother. In 1997 my children and I came to live there too. My youngest, Rachel, was one year old at the time. We had been living in the house for about a month, and I was sitting in the living room keeping an eye on Rachel. She was crawling around. Colby was laying down on the floor kind of half asleep. Rachel crawled over to Colby and pushed herself up so that she was leaning on his back. Rachel started rocking back and forth. Colby very slowly got up. I thought that maybe he was tired of Rachel and would leave the room. As Colby got up, Rachel ended up standing next to him, holding onto his back. Colby stood there for a bit and then slowly started walking. Rachel took a few steps with Colby and then plopped down on her bottom on the floor. Colby sank to the floor. In a bit, Rachel started leaning on Colby’s back again. Again, Colby rose up, and slowly started walking. Rachel took a few steps, wobbled and sank to the floor. I saw this whole scenario repeated over and over. At first, I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Finally, I understood. Colby was teaching Rachel to walk! This happened a long time ago. Rachel is now 23, and Colby is gone. Even so, every once in a while I think of that smart, wonderful dog Colby. —Robyn Sierchio

My dog Pud’n, a pointer-hound mix rescue, has truly stolen my heart. One evening Pud and I were sitting on the couch with her two furry siblings. She suddenly ran into the hall to the front door and started barking as if someone was there. Her two siblings immediately followed her. Within seconds Pud’n comes prancing into the living room and jumps up right next to me, sighing with contentment. I laughed like crazy knowing what a genius she was to distract the others just to be next to me herself. —Tina Viozzi

These are the things you do that your dog actually hates. 

I got my dog Loki while in the middle of battling a very rare form of cancer. When we got him from the shelter you could see his ribs and he was in pretty rough shape. We helped each other heal. He helped me feel needed and got me moving outside and some much needed fresh air. When he wanted to play he would grin and dance and invite me to join in. When I played music he would sing along with me. And when the tears and frustration came, he would curl up on my lap (yes, a 30kg lap dog!), look into my eyes, and somehow, I knew tomorrow would be a better day. Loki healed my body, my heart b and my soul. He knew what I needed even when I did not. As I look back and see how we both grew and got healthier together, I am so awed and grateful.  —Christine Barczak

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Source: RD.com