Comments on: Interview: René Agredano Tells Jerry’s Full Story

By: Terri

Terri — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:24:35 +0000

Last night when this aired, I sobbed as I held my 17-year-old cat, ‘Sunshine’. I can relate to what the three of you went thru since five months ago, I had to have my cat, ‘Marley’ put down because of cancer. It was slowly starving him to death. He had a tumor that was pressing against his esophagus. I noticed that he was vomitting but didn’t equate it to anything but his food possibly disagreeing with him.
I had only five days to prepare, from the emergency vet and the results of x-rays to taking him to a surgeon who explained what was happening to Marley. I said my final goodbye to him on Friday, September 11, 2009. He was cremated and I set up his picture and three candles every Monday to celebrate his short life. You see, he was only eight years old, and I still miss him terribly. I had two other cats including his offspring, daughter, Kitt-Litt.
Since Marley’s passing, I listened to my heart. I had this strong urge to go to the shelter to get another cat but I didn’t know if it was the proper time. It was Marley’s spirit telling me that there was a cat in that shelter who needed me! I was about to select a male kitten, didn’t want a female. But he needed to be neutered and he’d be available in a couple of days.
While I was at the shelter, I was shown, among others, a 17-year-old female cat who’d been given up because her owner could no longer take care of her. She kept being passed up because of her age. I’d overlooked her too since I didn’t want a female.
I went home empty-handed since I couldn’t pick up the kitten for a couple of days. I didn’t sleep much that night because I was thinking about that little female cat who’d been passed up so many times, I’d learned the next day when I called the shelter inquiring about her. Was told that she’d been there for two months. That broke my heart. This beautiful little 17-year-old girl was Marley’s choice for me! And what a great choice she was and is! What a little sweetheart she is. Her original name was Sundancer but I changed it somewhat to SunShine.
Marley’s urn says: “I can feel your paws gently caressing my aching heart”. Now that I have Sunny, I feel that Marley has brought SunShine (back) into my life. She was Marley’s choice for me. She’s a happy, energetic little creature who certainly shows her appreciation for her new forever home.
I, like you and your husband, have no children. My purrbabies satisfy my need to nurture another being and it’s soooo rewarding.
God Bless You, Yours and Jerry at Rainbow Bridge
I’m sure Jerry has met Marley and they are playing
together enjoying the sunshine awaiting their pawrents’
arrival.
Terri, SunShine, Kitt-Litt & KittyBoy
>^..^^..^^..^^..^^..^<

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:11:33 +0000

Jerry was a great dog and part of what made him such a great dog was the love he got from his family. Jim and Rene, you guys rock! I am so sorry for your loss but I am so glad to have read and watched your story with Jerry. I too would go far and beyond what most would call normal for my girl Rosie. She is the love of my life and like you guys I have no children so she is my world. She keeps me straight and reminds me to take the time to enjoy life and PLAY! You guys were so lucky to have met Jerry and to love and be loved by him. He was also lucky that he found you two. Your story will inspire me always and left me grateful that I do have today and hopefully many more with my girl and I will not take any of those days for granted. Thank you!

By: Alicia Gutierrez

Alicia Gutierrez — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:13:56 +0000

This was such a sad, but uplifting story. Thank you for sharing it. I will be sharing Jerry’s story with my Companion Animal Class that i will be teaching this spring. I’m sure it will bring many tears, but also bring happiness to know that Jerry had a great life and was loved until his end. Thank you for sharing this story with us all.

By: Abby

Abby — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:33:41 +0000

having an animals as a pet is a big responsibility.We have to take good care of them like our own.Giving them the right food and shelter is one of the best care we can give.like me, i get my dog pet a pet gate so he can move freely inside our house.:)

By: Bella

Bella — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:56:08 +0000

i don’t even consider myself a dog person, whatsoever. however, watching Jerry’s journey on the PBS documentary truly and deeply touched me; i’m not even sure why…but like many a viewer, i cried off and on throughout. not for sadness, or sorrow, but because i’ve been touched by Jerry and his pawrents’ story, it is remarkable to see love translate so well into lives not only lived but well lived. perhaps Jerry’s spirit gave proper perspective to Jim and Rene, and by their willingness to share their story, they have helped give perspective on our lives as well. thanks for sharing Jerry’s spirit with us; he is a bright light and will be long remembered.

By: Jim and Rene

Jim and Rene — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:56:57 +0000

Actually, we consider all the time we had with Jerry a true blessing. Thank you all for the comments.

By: stacey pelkey

stacey pelkey — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:38:09 +0000

your story inspired me so greatly. i love people who glorify animals. they’re just a impotrant as we are. in my case even more. My dog callie knows im an anxious person and an introvert, she has become my best friend and confidant.she follows me up to my room when she knows i’ve been crying. I loved your story and i was greatful to have watched it. god bless our dogs.you gave up your career for your dog.your dog meant so much to you that you gave your work to spend the last moments of your dogs life to make them the best for him. The whole time must of been so sad for you.

By: Starr Manning

Starr Manning — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:03:01 +0000

I saw the PBS show last evening. Jerry reminded me so much of our rescue, Roscoe, the wonderful golden retriever. We always take our 4 leggers everywhere with us. We bought an old minnie winnie so they can go camping with us. we were in FL on vacation 2 1/2 yrs ago when Roscoe started bleeding internally. Our vet at home located an emergency vet that saved Roscoe’s life but also mentioned the ugly cancer word. We started Roscoe on chemo when we returned home. Unbeknownst to us the cancer had spread and the chemo was unable to stop it. I know Jerry and Roscoe are together sharing their camping stories . . and their water loving ocean jaunts. We still have Roscoe’s mate, Princess, our black lab mix – - she turns 16 April 15th. A couple of weeks after we made the difficult decision to let Roscoe go . . . we rescued an 8 yr old chocolate lab named Shep. He and Princess are now the best of “buds” and he, too, is now learning how to go camping and enjoying his new pawrents as we have come to claim him as one of our own. Roscoe, Oscar and Ralph’s cremains are at home with us. Our family has been instructed that when the last of our family is gone, all of our cremains are to be mixed together and taken to our favorite beach in FL so we will all be together again.

By: DONNA N

DONNA N — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:34:24 +0000

I had to let my yorkie go in February, as he had seizures, caused by diabetes (which I gave him shots
for 2 times a day) He was a rescued dog and was also
going blind! I lost my husband last July, and he and
the dog were inseperable. life can sure be sad:(

By: Thank you to PBS for Why We Love Cats and Dogs Nature Episode | live. work. dream.

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:47:31 +0000

[...] to think that our story has touched so many people, in such profound ways. If the response here and on the Nature website is any indication, Ellen is sure to be nominated for another [...]