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<title>In Memory of Toto: Loved and Missed</title>
<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed</link>
<description>Dogster diary for the dog Toto</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2013 by Toto &amp; Dogster</copyright>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 09:59:48 PDT</pubDate>
<generator>Dogster Pet-o-matic Gennie - http://www.dogster.com</generator>
<ttl>360</ttl>

	<item>
		<title>Confessions of a &quot;Responsible&quot; Dog Owner:</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/171864</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:18:17 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Toto ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/171864</guid>
		<description>CHILDHOOD FRIENDS:
I grew up with dogs. When I was born, my family got a Chihuahua puppy to grow up ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ CHILDHOOD FRIENDS:
I grew up with dogs. When I was born, my family got a Chihuahua puppy to grow up alongside me. We were inseparable and I was distraught when Tanji finally died. After some time had passed, Mom asked me if I wanted to get another dog. I remember sitting on my bed, counting up how long Tanji had lived and then calculating how old I would be when my next dog might die. I decided I would be in college and old enough to handle the loss. (I never reached that age.) I said OK and we eventually got Mopsy, a little Peke-A-Poo pup from a neighborhood litter. She stayed with my folks during college and passed at their home a few years after I graduated.

STARTING A FAMILY:
As a young adult, I wanted a dog of my own but knew I had to wait until my life was stable enough to give it a good home. When that time came, I did everything in my power to be a responsible pet owner. I wanted a Cairn Terrier but first I researched the breed to make sure it would be a good fit for me. I talked to vets, read books and decided I was going to get a puppy and give the dog a good long life.

A family I knew had friends whose pet Cairn was due to have a litter of puppies. When they were born, I went to pick out the perfect pup according to all the literature I had read. They had named one of little boys "Fighter" because he had so much energy and picked on all his litter mates. As instructed by my research, he was the one that was frisky and alert and, of course, he had personality times ten. Fighter was the one I picked to come be my Toto.

A BABY BROTHER FOR TOTO:
Three years passed and I thought Toto might like a playmate and I might like having a second dog. I knew I wanted another Cairn, another boy, and I knew his name would be Ojo. It was just a matter of finding a pup that spoke to me. 

I had mentioned this to my parents and that Christmas, they gave me money and told me there were Cairn Terrier pups at the local pet store. Off I went to see if any of the pups had "Ojo" written all over them. The pet store had several young Cairn puppies -- but they also had one that was much older. He was marked down as after Christmas clearance merchandise. Even though I knew it wasn't the smart thing to do, I also knew I couldn't leave him there with a clearance tag on his cage. I had found my Ojo and a brother for Toto.

SO WHAT:
So, what is my point to all this -- other than a self gratifying trip down memory lane? My point is that every step of the way, I thought I was doing the right thing -- the responsible thing. I had no clue about puppy mills or family breeders. I had no concept of the number of homeless pets being put to sleep daily. I had no idea that my "responsible" actions were actually perpetuating the breeding of more pups and that other dogs would die because of the choices I made. Even in all my attempts to educate myself and do everything right, I screwed up. And not just once, but twice.

Now, to be totally honest, I can hardly say I regret this. How could I regret sharing my life with Toto and Ojo for one minute? However, had I been fully educated, I would have made different choices.

So... my point to anyone (similar to me) who is reading this is, don't feel guilty for the previous choices you've made -- based on the information you had at the time. And to anyone who is thinking about getting a pet, my point is -- please learn from my mistakes and choose to adopt a homeless dog. It truly is the "responsible" thing to do.

In loving tribute to my Tanji, Mopsy, Toto and Ojo -- four great friends.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>My New Friend, Snappy: What an Angel</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/108284</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 5 Jan 2006 19:16:45 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Toto ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/108284</guid>
		<description>I got to meet Snappy on January 3, 2006 and we are having a grand time romping around the heavens. S ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I got to meet Snappy on January 3, 2006 and we are having a grand time romping around the heavens. She moved in with my family shortly after I passed away. I know they are very sad but I've taken her under my wings and we have lots of friends. Down on earth, they established a memorial fund in her honor through the rescue group that saved her – with the proceeds going to help other dogs, like Snappy, find health and happiness. If you would like to help save another little soul get the help they so richly deserve – please send a small donation to:

<a  class=bodyTextRev target=site  onClick="alert('Dogster Alert: You are about to visit an outside link that was submitted by this pet owner.');" href=http://www.lldogrescue.org>LL Dog Rescue</a> | The Snappy Memorial Fund | PO Box 8545 | Shawnee Mission, KS | 66208

LLDR is a 501 (c)(3), non-profit, volunteer, dog rescue organization licensed in the states of Kansas and Missouri. Your donation is tax-deductible and would be greatly appreciated. Your contribution would mean a lot to me and my family and it is for the best cause... helping out dogs in need.

– Toto, guarding the gates of heaven. (And now with a fun new side-kick.)
"CURRENT Dogster dogs helping out FUTURE Dogster dogs"

PS: To leave a message for our earthly family or for more information on Snappy's Fund, visit Snappy and Ojo's <a  class=bodyTextRev target=site href=http://www.dogster.com/forums/?t=129514>Dogster forum page</a>.

PSS: Love to Dad and my baby brother Ojo.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Hello Snappy: Nice to Finally Meet You</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/107804</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 4 Jan 2006 06:05:31 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Toto ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/107804</guid>
		<description>I just made a new friend. I finally got to meet Little Snappy who lived with my Dad and my brother a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I just made a new friend. I finally got to meet Little Snappy who lived with my Dad and my brother after I passed. She is quite the little spit-fire and we are having a blast sharing stories about life with Dad. Snappy has lots of friends here and we are taking good care of her and showing her the  ropes. – Toto, guarding the gates of heaven]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>A New Year's Resolution: SUPPORT RESCUE</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/106849</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:44:25 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Toto ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/207852/diary/In_memory_of_toto_loved_and_missed/106849</guid>
		<description>PLEASE HELP:
This is the time of year that people make their new year's resolutions. I have one I w ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ PLEASE HELP:
This is the time of year that people make their new year's resolutions. I have one I would like you to please consider. Why not  make supporting a rescue group or shelter in your area something YOU resolve to do in 2006. I'm telling you – they need your help, it is a great cause and they would be so appreciative.

MONEY:
You don't have to break the bank, just send in $5.00. As of this moment, if everyone on Dogster would donate $5.00 to help homeless dogs, that would be over $640,000 going to help the cause.

PET SUPPLIES:
Or they always need pet supplies, things you may already have around the house and aren't using. Do you have old dog collars, leashes, bowels, bedding, blankets or towels? Those would be great things to donate. 

OFFICE SUPPLIES:
You could also donate office supplies. Things like copy paper, file folders or postage stamps.

CLEANING SUPPLIES:
This is a great thing to donate. The next time you go to a Costco or Sam's Club, why not pick up an extra case of paper towels to donate. They need things like bleach, clean wipes, carpet cleaner and trash bags.

YOUR TIME, SERVICES OR TALENTS:
Man power is always needed and always appreciated. Make a phone call and find out what you can do to help a group in your area.

There are lots of organizations out there and lots of ways to help. Just please consider doing something, somewhere for someone. (Please.) And if you want to contribute and don't know who to give to, here's the address of the rescue group who helped save my siblings. You can tell them Toto sent you. 

LL Dog Rescue, PO Box 8545, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208. 

They are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization licensed in Kansas and Missouri and your donation is tax-deductible.

Thank you and bless you and have a great year. – Toto and company]]></content:encoded>
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