As anyone can easily see, Shoko and her dog share a great love. It is hard to leave behind those that you love. After Katrina in Louisanna there were many who had to leave their animals behind never to see them again. And there were those who stayed behind because their animals could not be evacuated with them. After that catastrophe there were new conditions set in place to allow animals and owners to be evacuated together. Those animals provide comfort and companionship during the hardest of times. There are many stories of animals ( Dogs mostly ) of grieving to death after the loss of a friend ( Master ). I have 3 dogs and even though they can sometimes be a bit of a nuisance, if anyone were to harm them intentionally I'm would be hard put to not retaliate in some manner. A child can walk all over you and hurt your feelings ( I have 2 of those ) but a dog will give you unconditional love and will never walk on your heart. I feel for Shoko and her dog concerning this separation. Look at the picture,if you do not see love there then you have never really known the true meaning or face of love.And for those who have never experienced the love of an animal you dont know what you are missing.

I'd sleep outside in the dirt and mud before parting with my dog

Dogs are part of our families. I don't understand how anyone coudl abandon them like that . There are always options. Don't just leave them to fend for themselves. Hopefully Shoko and her dog will be reunited very quickly! Even if I was homeless and penniless I would not abandon my dog!