Rover 411 is currently collecting stories of all kinds about the joys and sorrows of having a dog for a family member, stories from owners perspective, from the dogs perspective and anything else that you may find to be an interesting read. Please submit to your article, along with your name, your dogs name and your city, state and country, and if you want, a picture of you or your dog to info@rover411.com.

Here is a sample:

Doggie Tales of Nannerz: Remembering Day 1 with the Humans
Michigan

I remember like it was yesterday. I had just early retired (I was a racer at a track in Kansas) and was moved to Michigan —hello? Didn’t anyone think of the shock I would endure when squatting in a foot of snow?? Anyway, I was at a greyhound gathering, getting to know some new friends. Then, the sky opened, the crowd of dogs parted and there he was, like a vision. He was, just the way I like ‘em: tall, dark and well groomed. I went over to him, he sniffed me, and I nuzzled up against him. His name was Charcoal, a true gentleman, and I knew he would be mine. He introduced me to the others and gave me a tour of the greyhound camp, each room I was scouting out places were we could be together, alone. We remained as one, glued by everlasting love, for the remainder of the day.

That evening, a human came to the door, and I knew in an instant they had a family connection. He ran over to her, excited and panting. This human, Charcoal’s Mommy, had come to take him away from me. I knew I had but one chance to keep him as mine. I threw myself at her, shoved my face into hers (it worked for the dogs, I thought I would give it a try) and mustered all the cuteness I had (well, I didn’t need to use it all). I knew she was going to love me, as I loved Charcoal. I heard her talking with the camp attendant, hearing the details of my activity of day with Charcoal. She took a deep breath, made a phone call, grabbed the dog chains and began gathering her things. Wait, she only grabbed one dog chain. She started saying her Goodbyes, including me. What? She and Charcoal were leaving, without me? How could this be? How could she separate true love? Well, that’s exactly what she did. They left. I was alone. (well, actually I was with eight other greyhounds in a 900 square foot house. I was far from alone, but that is how I felt on the inside.)

A short time later, a man appeared. I ran over to him, asking if he had seen my Charcoal. I had so much to tell him. He was gentle and loving, but he was not listening to me. Charcoal, I had to find him. The man took my chain, and was talking about a “trial period.” He was taking me home. He cuddled with me all the way, but I was still lonely without my soul mate. We pulled into the driveway; he got out of the car, closed the gate, and opened the door. I jumped out and starting looking around, and to my amazement there he was: Charcoal. The man was Charcoal’s Daddy, and we had arrived at his house. I was thrilled!

Charcoal showed me the yard and inside the house. He invited to me to his couch and there we cuddled, eight 24-inch legs intertwined together as one. I knew I had found my forever home. Oh, and the humans were not bad either!

Nannerz is a seven-year old retired racer and couch potato. She successfully race four races before her track owner realized she was more interested in playing than working. She loves eating bacon, cuddling, lounging on her back feet straight in the air, and her soul mate, Charcoal.