Here in this house …
Here in this house... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks
of the other dogs 'out there.' I can sleep soundly, assured that when I
wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear
of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from
the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be
allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be
dirty or matted.
Here in this house... There will be an effort to communicate with
me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I
can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I
may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will
love the sound of it!
Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am
not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I
will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I
should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or
stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved
by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my
teacher for blame.
Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am
ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be
cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful
and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not
cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I
will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair
as dogs.
Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home.
- author unknown
of the other dogs 'out there.' I can sleep soundly, assured that when I
wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear
of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from
the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be
allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be
dirty or matted.
Here in this house... There will be an effort to communicate with
me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I
can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I
may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will
love the sound of it!
Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am
not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I
will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I
should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or
stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved
by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my
teacher for blame.
Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am
ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be
cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful
and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not
cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I
will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair
as dogs.
Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home.
- author unknown
The best friend a man has ...
The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its' clouds upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master, as if he were a prince.When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its' journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger to fight his enemies; and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its' embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
- Senator George Graham Vest during the 1870 Burden v. Hornsby court case in Warrensburg, Missouri.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master, as if he were a prince.When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its' journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger to fight his enemies; and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its' embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
- Senator George Graham Vest during the 1870 Burden v. Hornsby court case in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Baggage
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.
I'd like to open my baggage lest I forget
There is so much to carry - So much to regret.
Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top.
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to
leave – I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, to never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage
Will YOU still want ME?
- author Evelyn Colbath (c)1995
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.
I'd like to open my baggage lest I forget
There is so much to carry - So much to regret.
Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top.
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to
leave – I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, to never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage
Will YOU still want ME?
- author Evelyn Colbath (c)1995
Man's Best Friend
Sometimes, when the weather is nice, I see the two of them coming slowly up the street. I feel like waving hello as they pass, but then I remember that my friend is blind. He is led by his constant companion who is his eyes.
There is a kinship, an affection that develops between a man & his dog that is often warmer than the bonds of friendship between humans. Even though one has grown blind & deaf with age, there is still communication - if only by one touching the other.
I watch as the two continue until they are out of sight... the gentle, blind old dog & the man who owns, guides, & cares for him each day.
- Martin Buxbaum
There is a kinship, an affection that develops between a man & his dog that is often warmer than the bonds of friendship between humans. Even though one has grown blind & deaf with age, there is still communication - if only by one touching the other.
I watch as the two continue until they are out of sight... the gentle, blind old dog & the man who owns, guides, & cares for him each day.
- Martin Buxbaum
A Pet's Ten Commandments ...
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice
when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you,
and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long,
or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
* Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters. We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
- author unknown
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice
when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you,
and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long,
or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
* Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters. We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
- author unknown