Determining the winner of the Valentine's Day contest announced on Monday was really tough! It was both heartwarming and thrilling to read about all the beautiful, loving relationships between dogs and the readers of this blog. But trying to narrow them down to just one winner finally proved impossible. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie! The winners are Nadia and Pal.

I chose both Nadia and Pal because their entries epitomized unconditional love. In Pal's case, she loves her dogs in spite of their infirmities, and in Nadia's case, she loves her dogs in spite of their many misdeeds (mainly chewing!). When I think of all the dogs who are unceremoniously dumped or euthanized for far lesser reasons, I know the world would be a much better place if there were more Nadias and Pals in it who radiate patience and tolerance and who really know what's important in life (love and compassion).

Here is Nadia's entry:

Rocky, Snuggles, and Grizzly―does it get any cuter?

"I love all three of my four-legged companions equally with all my heart: Grizzly (Rottweiler/Labrador), Rocky (golden retriever/Labrador), and Snuggles (tabby). They are the loves of my life as I believe I am theirs! No furniture is off limits! (Thank goodness for sofa covers!) We were meant to be together. They are the reason I checked out PETA's Web site and from the next day became a vegetarian! I love all animals and can't ever imagine what unwanted animals or factory-farm animals go through. I just look at my companions' eyes, and to see their compassion, understanding, and love through their eyes, I don't know how people hurt animals! Between the very expensive vet bills, the one year of clothing destroyed, the three sofa sets I have changed in the last five years, the electronics I had to rewire, the list goes on and on, I will NEVER abandon them for any reason in the world. They help me take care of myself through exercise (I walk them every night for at least an hour and half), and I try to be the best mom in the world! Apparently, I am hard to beat, according to my family and friends! We help each other find our way! I can't imagine my life without them."

And here is Pal's entry:

The late MillyBully benefited from Pal's kindness after having been dumped out of a car at a busy intersection when she was already at an advanced age.

"I have spinal cord problems that affect all four limbs. I walk on a rolling walker, wear bilateral hand braces and occasionally leg braces as well. My body is covered by numerous surgical scars and my mobility is limited. Humans look at me that way, too―seeing the DISability before the incredible heart. My life revolves around my rescued dogs, most of [whom] are (like me) 'special needs.' If I were in a shelter, I would be a 'throwaway' or the first on the euthanasia list. But in my dogs' eyes, I am disABLEd, I am PERFECT. It doesn't matter if my hands shake, as long as they stroke the fear or pain away. I see perfection when others see blindness, deafness, old age, abuse, or neglect. Every day of their lives, they thank me for giving them a loving, adoring forever home ... and every day, I thank God that I was chosen for them."

Please join me in congratulating our two winners! And for those of you who didn't win this particular prize, there are other contests in the pipeline. Besides, if you love your dogs as much as you seem to, you're always a winner!