The words: “casualties of war” are often synonymous with death, but this description can also mean displacement. Military working dogs (MWD’s) protect our soldiers from injury and even death. They are esteemed members of our military for the fearless work they perform; they are intelligent, loyal canines that unfortunately our Department of Defense classifies as “equipment.” It not only demeans the necessary services they execute, it means they are at risk of being left behind in a foreign country instead of being brought to the United States for adoption.

The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act is designed to reclassify these animals from “equipment” to “canine members of the armed forces.” If this bill can pass in both the House and the Senate, military working dogs will have benefit of programs designed to care for them after retirement and be eligible for adoption into loving homes. Just as it is imperative that programs exist to address the bevvy of needs our soldiers will have in readjusting to civilian life, we owe this to the dogs that saved lives and also provided companionship to those away from loved ones in the most intense and frightening situations one can imagine. Under the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act, these new possibilities and care will be offered without federal funding. As a way to give back to our soldiers, both human and canine, support this bill by going to this web site to contact your Senators to insist their vote makes The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act a law. You can make a difference to not only these beautiful animals, but to those whose lives they have already touched and the families they are destined to find. www.aspca.org/militarydogs

Janice Serilla is no stranger to leading with her heart and making decisions in life that benefit others. She is a compassionate person who loves her animals, but the greatest inspiration came to her in the form of a desperately ill, fiercely neglected and abandoned tiny Papillion. This largely blind, somewhat deaf pup with a series of other maladies including a hole in the his mouth that led to his sinus area, captured the hearts of the steadfast volunteers at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco. (www.muttville.org) They saved this boy from certain death, and Janice found him while searching for a partner for her other Papillon, Finn. Janice knows what I have been privileged to learn, along with multitudes of other adopters of older or special needs animals; life may be challenging when we bring these creatures home with us, but it is indeed richer and ultimately rewarding beyond words.

A more poigniant, detailed accounting of Janice's journey with "Tink," from their first meeting to his premature passing, can be found on her web site, under "The Detective Tinkerton Story." She donates a portion of proceeds on the sale of her varied people and pet products to dogs in need, and is hoping to start a Foundation soon. Her web site is called: www.gimpypets.com. Adorable Tink , with his tiny tongue slightly askew and his large glossy eyes is whimsically captured in her company logo- a mere snap shot of the legacy he has left behind.

Mirror Mirror on the wall who's the fairest one of all? It seems society's obsession with youth and perfection has made its way to our four-legged best friends. The truth is, with age often comes great wisdom, a confidence that allows us to acclimate well to new situations and understand the challenges in life with renewed perspective. So, why should this be any different for our aging pets, or of those stranded in a shelter or rescue, surrendered simply because they couldn't measure up anymore? Having two seasoned, physically challenged dogs at home, I will admit I have little patience for those who don't see the value in what these animals can bring to our lives everyday. When I get to witness a little blind Toy poodle first graze her head on the wall, then bump it on the door as she makes her way outside, never missing a beat, with an attitude that says: "it is what it is," I feel like the lucky one. Seeing my almost fourteen year old, with deformed front legs, walk the entire block in the custom-made shoes my husband designed, stopping to smell every flower, I am the lucky one.

Dogs being dumped on the side of the road because they had too many birthdays, or dogs abandoned at shelters because they've lost some of the spring in their step is commonplace. Thankfully, some truly excellent organizations exist around the country, easily found on the internet, to assist people in navigating issues around pets getting on in years, and in addition to highlighting beautiful dogs for adoption, they also list many resources that can guide people who may need financial assistance in their desire to keep their pet, or need health-related questions answered. Here are some groups who not only make adoption of older dogs possible, they also devote themselves to dispensing useful, life-saving resources to those who love their dogs or who fear they may need to surrender them when help is only a click away. www.muttville.org, www.SrDogs.com, www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.com, www.greymuzzle.org.

Older dogs teach us to slow down by example, when adopted from rescues they acclimate well to new families willing to accept them despite the pain of their past life, they remind us with age can come grace- less focus on what doesn't matter and more on what does.

Advocating for the plight of rescue animals can often take a heart-wrenching turn when new information is gleaned in the name of inhumanity. It is hard enough to comprehend millions of animals ending up in shelters and rescues, often through a selfish act by a human being, and then being euthanized because they ran out of time or space at the facility. It is truly unfathomable that gassing rescue animals to end their lives is still legal in many states. Imagine the fear a rescue animal may already have in the first place and heighten that visual with being lodged in a tight cage with other unfortunate victims or placed in a concrete room where you will choke, feel pain and struggle for breath before death intervenes.

This is an atrocity not fit for human beings or animals. Visit the Facebook page of Take Action- Help Ban Gas Chambers to see photos that will not allow you to forget these precious creatures, and will spur you on to want to help in some way large or small. You will find petitions to sign, photos to enlarge and post around town to help enlighten those who are not aware this unconsionable practice continues in our country. Share their links and information with others. The circumstances so many lovable rescue animals have had to live with is bad enough, they should at least be afforded dignity in death.