(You can read my biography.)

Dear Pet Harbor,

It's Linus and my dad, Jim. Remember me, Linus? When I came to Pet Harbor from a rural Virginia shelter, I had heartworm disease. At that time I was two years old. Please keep your pets on heartworm preventative. You put me through heartworm treatment with the help of some terrific friends.

Then a wonderful man named Jim, who even helped pay for my heartworm treatment, came along and took me home to live with him in October of 2000. Of course, I call him Dad now. Here are some pictures of me in my new house.

My dad is such a good dad. I'll let you in on a little secret. I have gained about 20 pounds since he adopted me. Okay. I guess that's not so secret, but the secret part is the reason why. My favorite time is when dad has a barbecue in the back yard with friends over. Oh, yum, I love that time. Who could resist a good grilled steak? It's easy for a Husky to distract his dad. I've trained him just right, medium well if you really want to know.

This picture below was taken of me the first day I came to Pet Harbor. Wow! What a difference! Don't I look fabulous now? That's because my dad spoils me. He likes to say he "takes good care of me," but I know the truth. I've got him right where I want him: wrapped around my big paw.

Fast forward now to December of 2007. Dad says it's been a while since he & I rescued each other. We live in Minnesota now, and we have an extended family that includes another dog and two cats.

My dad says I have been such a joy to him in the time that we have shared, and I don't think either of us would change a thing. I am almost ten and weigh almost 80 pounds now days, and I have always had lots of energy.

We got terrible news the other day. I have a blood cancer now and am not expected to last much longer. Dad wishes there were something that he could do, but the doctors tell us that at this point it is a matter of time. This all came on very suddenly, and if you had asked Dad a week earlier he would have told you that I am a healthy and active 10-year-old and that he was hoping for another couple of years together.

Neither Dad nor I would trade a minute of the time he and I have shared, and I don't know who made the bigger difference, me in his life, or him in mine. He says I am a wonderful dog that has given him so much love and affection and he will always treasure the difference that I have made in my life.

Many Thanks to you and Pet Harbor,
Linus Randazzo and Dad (Jim)