Dear Cathy,

Your column often reminds me of our first dog – a sweet beagle who literally adopted us. One night, she was sitting in the garage when I came out to put newspapers into recycling. That poor dog cowered and crawled backwards to get away. I can’t imagine how mistreated she must have been in her previous home. Thank goodness, she picked a home that made her queen of the palace for the next 13 years.

— Dick C., Westbury, New York

Dear Dick,

Sitting in your garage, eh? She chose you for a reason. I think animals can sense kindness, and taking in a lost soul has got to be the ultimate kindness. Thanks for giving her a loving “palace” where she could feel safe for the remainder of her life. Sounds like a match made in heaven. 

Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to [email protected]. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal