They love us unconditionally. They comfort us, protect us, grieve with us, rescue us, entertain us, lower our stress levels and delight us. We goggle over them as puppies, put up with their sometimes destructive behavior, photograph them, dress them up, take them with us almost everywhere and show them off to others. When they die we are devastated. They are the dogs we love. As I looked in the hand carved wooden keepsake box that belonged to my mother, I found photos of old beaus, friends and special memory items. Among them were older pictures of different dogs, labeled with their names. My mother was a unique person, very romantic, thoughtful and artistic. Her dogs were a part of our beloved family unit. In this book she writes about the special relationships with these valued family members from the beginning of her life to her latter years. My brother and I compiled and minimally edited these stories along with the memory of my experience in caring for Mother in her latter years. We are hoping others will enjoy these stories and the photos along with us. The front cover is a painting done by Mom from a photo of my son Michael Kloxin. The small picture on this page is of my brother Dick Lewallen, me and our mother Hortense Lewallen. Candy Kloxin