Goodbye Sweet Angel

With all of the current and recent recalls of pet food, I never thought in a million years it would claim the life of one I knew. On April 3, 2007, my Aunt Phyl's baby and family protector Angel was put down due to total kidney failure caused by her dog food.

She suffered a long, horrible and painful death. It hit this very healthy, pure breed pit-bull in a matter of days. She went from a bouncy 7 year-old to a dog a sick she couldn't walk that was throwing up her own stomach lining.

I am being this descriptive for a reason...someone needs pay for these poor animals...prison and fines aren't even enough to punish those who harmed our beloved animals. Animal lovers don't take this horrible recall lightly. We are watching as our babies are suffering and dying, and we don't like it.

To an outsider you may see it as "its just a dumb dog," but to our family you couldn't be more wrong. This dog helped my cancer ridden aunt get out of bed every morning, give her a get method of physical therapy by needing to be walked and trained. Angel gave her something to look forward to everyday, a companion that gave her unconditional love and never pitied her because she was sick. She taught her how to fight when all she wanted to do is sleep. Angel was her and our saving grace.

When Johnathan heard the news he sobbed uncontrollably for a long time. He has grown up with Angel. The two of them are buddies, they were connected at the hip. They had a bond that no distance or amount of time could break. He only saw her about 2 times a year because they have been a minimum of 6 hours away since their births, but they always were inter-connected somehow. And they say pit bulls are unfeeling and monsters. They never knew our Angel.

So as I wipe another tear from my eyes, I say good bye, and good night sweet Angel. We love you and will never forget you.