PeTss...Aren't they TruLy Men's Best Frens?: All for the love of their dog....

8-YEAR OLD GIRL RAISES MONEY FOR DOG'S OPERATION

It was love at first sight. When Katherine Hawkins, an eight-year-old girl from Atlanta, first saw Rocky’s picture on the Internet, she just fell in love with this golden retriever who was looking for a new home.
But Rocky needed surgery because he had been hit by a car and his previous owners had never treated his broken leg.
Without ever meeting Rocky, Katherine started to raise money to pay for Rocky’s surgery. She first gave up her allowance and then started selling cookies.
Katherine’s mother said, “You cannot resist a little 8-year-old girl holding this envelope saying would you please give money to help this dog that’s been run over.”
This motivated young girl raised over $1,000 dollars which was about half of what Rocky’s surgery would cost.
Adopt-A-Golden, where Rocky was staying, was so impressed with Katherine’s efforts that they knew that she would make a loving and caring owner for Rocky.

Kate Jackson of Adopt-A-Golden said, “She had done so much research into the golden retriever breed. It was her idea to start raising money to take care of his operation, so when it came time for Adopt A Golden to look for someone to help with the recovery, we couldn’t think of a better person.”
After Rocky’s surgery, he was able to go to his new home and he even got a new name, Tanner. Katherine said he wasn’t a Rocky because he was so sweet.
Katherine’s mother added, “I kept reminding her, you’re 8-years-old, and look what you’re doing, you’re changing the world for a dog.”

(Contributed by Emily, adapted from Itchmo:News for cats and dogs)

Amazing, huh? A girl as young as that even go that extend for the very thing she adores...
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AND.......

What a dog owner thinks of having a dog:
"I believe that dogs are good for one's health 100%. From the time I was a todler to the present; our family has owned a total of sixteen dogs. Each dog's date of birth and date of death was marked and entered into our pet book.

At the present, we own six dogs. To become a dog owner is a person who is been showered with blessings from God above! Dogs love you for WHO you are, not WHAT you have. Dogs give unconditional love! And while the responsibility can sometimes give one a headache; the joy of ownership is measured in complete devotion of the dog to his or her owner!

Having had dogs since I was a child I can say.....God provided dogs as a way as an emotional outlet for loneliness and depression. And it is from my own personal experience that dogs understand more about human inneundo's, language, vocabulary, non-verbal body language to a remarkable degree that can be described as on a "spiritual plane". Ask any child psychologist as to what kind of therapy for children would be considered the best overall therapy and most child pschiatrists would recommend "pet therapy". Unconditional love, understanding, companionship 24/7 and someone who is always ready to listen to your problems, your fears, and your victories or happy memories!

I guess I will ALWAYS have a dog! Besides, they are always there when you need them the most, and rest assured, they never let your down! If I would ever meet someone my pet did not like.......I will trust my pet's judgement! They are always right!

I can not feel sympathy towards those who do not like animals or would take the time to welcome animals into their lives! The benefits of having dogs (or cats, or horses) is just beginning to be seen through the lenses of the scientists. But God Almighty and those who have always had a dog in their household know that dogs are gifts from Him to those who treasure the love and daily companionship which dogs give to their owners.....no questions asked 24/7 !!!!!!!" -D.W.
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There are even proof of reports and researches on how having pets actually help in giving us a
healthier life, one in this site http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-medicine/2008/3/7/my-dog-may-be-good-for-my-health.html#15959

According to Dr Deborah Wells, a psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast:
"It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress, one of the major risk factors associated with ill-health. The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."
(adapted from BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6279701.stm)

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