By Rick Markham

It wasn’t the dog’s fault. My 10-year marriage ended suddenly, shockingly, but for its own reasons. I admit I didn’t see it coming, but I realize now that Callie the cocker spaniel was right there at the beginning of the end, on a day when everything seemed so promising...

Cesar,

In spite of the good intentions that inspired the founding of the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, it had fallen on hard times and was about to close when we agreed to try and save this rural Iowa shelter.

Quincy, a German Shepherd, had been tied outside on the banks of the Mississippi River 24/7. She had been beaten, was positive for heartworm, and her ears bitten raw by flies.

Hi! My name is Nicole Wright, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I discovered you and your wonderful show in January. It was fate, because only weeks later, my husband Alex and I went to the shelter to drop off some dog food for them when we saw Yukon - a 1 1/2 year old Alaskan Husky.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month! I encourage you to participate in this special event. If you're not ready to adopt a dog, that's okay! Keep it on your "to do" list for the future. There are still many other ways you can help. Fostering a dog is a great way to assist dogs in need - and a chance to see if you are ready for full-time dog care.

Dear Cesar,

I bought your book and several DVDs. Your grandfather reminds me of my grandmother in Germany, when dogs were treated as dogs. We adopted a dog almost a year ago from a local shelter. He was terrified and cowered in the corner because of abuse.

I am proud to live in a country where the entire month of October is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the adoption of shelter dogs! Dogs across the nation are abused, abandoned, or neglected and end up in the arms of passionate and dedicated shelter and rescue workers. All too often, these facilities are overcrowded, and, as a result, many of these animals are put to sleep.

Dear Cesar:

We have a ten-year-old lab/pit bull mix. He is house broken and can do a few tricks. The only problem is he LOVES to chase his tail. Whenever someone comes into the house, or even if there is any loud noise, he chases and chases and chases until he catches his tail. He can walk down the hall with it in his mouth and even climb into his chair.