For everyone who has ever lost a Very Loved Pet

[big turkey]

A  Dog's  Purpose?    (from a  6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had  been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish  Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners,  Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane,  were all very attached to Belker, and they were  hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker  and found he was dying of cancer. I told the  family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and  offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for  the old dog in their home.

As  we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they  thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane  to observe the procedure. They felt as though  Shane might learn something from the  experience.

The next day, I felt the  familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family  surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting  the old dog for the last time, that I wondered  if he understood what was going on. Within a few  minutes, Belker slipped peacefully  away.

The little boy seemed to accept  Belker's transition without any difficulty or  confusion. We sat together for a while after  Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad  fact that animal lives are shorter than human  lives.
Shane, who  had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know  why.''

Startled, we all turned to him.  What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd  never heard a more comforting explanation. It  has changed the way I try and live.

He  said,''People  are born so that they can learn how to live a  good life -- like loving everybody all the time  and being nice,  right?''
The  Six-year-old continued,''Well,  dogs already know how to do that, so they don't  have to stay as long.''

Live  simply.

Love generously.

Care  deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if  a dog was the teacher you would learn things  like:

When loved ones come home, always  run to greet them.

Never pass up the  opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow  the experience of fresh air and the wind in your  face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take  naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run,  romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention  and let people touch you.

Avoid biting  when a simple growl will do.

On warm  days, stop to lie on your back on the  grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water  and lie under a shady tree

When you're  happy, dance around and wag your entire  body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long  walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to  be something you're not.



When  someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit  close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY  EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY  DAY!

[hubcapsc]

When  someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit  close by, and nuzzle them gently.

I'm too old to take the *** whoopin that would ensue... I offer up my surrogate:



-Mike

[big turkey]

Good Idea.

[Popeye]

 I miss Murphy every day.  Had to put him down in August 09.  One of the worst days I've ever had.

Thanks for the post.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thats great stuff.  Heres a great poem about dogs I love.  Ive got 3 Labs myself.

Almost as Good
As Your Dog

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time.

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than an poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no
prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
THEN, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.
Then, my friend, you are Almost as good as your dog,

Almost, but not quite,
Because besides not having any of your hang-ups and vices,
He would without hesitation, give up his life for you if need be.

Author Unknown

[scoot]

We lost our joy last night due to conjestive heart failure. The doc said his heart was big, boy did he have that right. we will miss him dearly. He could light up a room just by being there.

[Des]

Thank you for this post --- Kendall & I have 5
Chance is our oldest - German Sheppard and has a heart of Gold
Cricket is our only girl -- Shih tzu and she definately rules the place & makes it known she is Queen
Chong -- Shih tzu named appropriately!  He's almost blind from cataracts and doesn't hear well but he is the most lovingest lil dog you'd ever see -- (we won't talk about his strange habits) 
Tigger is our newest addition -- he's a little black Chihuahua -- he's an attention hound
Ruffus is our rowdy child - Pit Bull -- and about as hard headed as they come!  Has spring loaded legs and can jump up to look you dead in the eye from a stand still

Not a one of them would I trade for any other --- and I know the day we have to deal with losing one will be a horrible tragedy.

Never deprive yourself of the love of a wonderful pet -- for the fear of losing them.  God gave us these wonderful creatures for just that --- the joy of their love.

Thanks for the post!

[RoadKill]

I lost 3 last year,THANK YOU for the post

Thats great stuff.  Heres a great poem about dogs I love.  Ive got 3 Labs myself.

Almost as Good
As Your Dog

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time.

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than an poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no
prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
THEN, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.
Then, my friend, you are Almost as good as your dog,

Almost, but not quite,
Because besides not having any of your hang-ups and vices,
He would without hesitation, give up his life for you if need be.

Author Unknown

and That poem about sums it up! thank you too!

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

This is another one I love that I have saved.

TREAT ME KINDLY
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend,
For no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick,
For though I should lick your hand
between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would
have me learn.
Speak to me often, For your voice is
the world's sweetest music, as you must
know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footsteps fall upon my ears.
Please take me inside when it is cold
and wet, For I am a domesticated
animal, no longer accustomed to the
bitter elements. I ask no greater glory
than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with water, for I
cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do your bidding,
to walk by your side, and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with
my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old, and
I no longer enjoy good health, hearing
and good sight, do not make heroic
efforts to keep me going.
I am not having fun. Please see that my
trusting life is taken gently. I shall
leave this earth knowing with the last
breath I drew, that my fate was always
safest in your hand.
--- By Beth Norman Harris 1968 ---

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Most of you will think I'm a philistine, but this poem crap works on cats too...



-Mike "is it spring yet?"

[Lyn-Del]

From the period of April 08 to March 09, I lost four dogs .... ranging in age from 4 months (born with MAJOR birth defects) to 18 years.  Every one hurt.  A lot of people believe that losing the 4 month old, especially knowing that her life would be short, couldn't hurt.  But even a neighbor comments that he misses Bobbie.  She was that special, a bright light brought briefly into our lives.  When she began to show signs of discomfort, we let her go.  Plato, the 18 year old was a Mini Schnauzer I adopted when he was 14.  For four years, he brought joy, laughter, and learning into my life.  When I got him I was told he was deaf -- but he'd just never learned that human words had meaning.  It didn't take long to teach him to come when called, which he happily did until he really did go deaf.

Dogs teach us valuable lessons.  If only I could take adversity in stride as well as they do.  Plato gracefully handled deafness and the process of going blind.   

Today, we are owned by 7 dogs, and entertained by all.  Three were "throwaways", adopted by us before they were dumped at the "pound."  Jenny was 11 and Skylar 9 when their previous owners decided they didn't want them anymore.  I was looking for a "little, old, dog" when they moved into my life.  Two Papillons are little, they were (and still are) almost old.  Cocoa Puff was 18 months when she became too much trouble for someone -- how can a CHIHUAHUA take up too much room?  The rest were chosen for who they are, from their breeders.  I wouldn't trade any of them.  Nor any of the five cats, either. 

As I explain it to people who ask .... the parakeets are always happy and cheerful, making it hard to be depressed.  The fish are calm and serene, reducing stress.  The dogs bring laughter and the knowledge of being loved and needed.  The cats?  Well .... the cats keep us humble.

Ride safe!!

[Cliff]

This is another one I love that I have saved.

................And, my friend, when I am very old, and
I no longer enjoy good health, hearing
and good sight, do not make heroic
efforts to keep me going.
I am not having fun. Please see that my
trusting life is taken gently. ............

Even with that in mind I still felt like the king issuing orders for an execution... a feeling I won't ever forget but yet would still make the same difficult decision...

[charligirl]

We lost one of ours this week to a coyote attack. Junior was the year old son of our mutts, Foxy and Shorty. They were the cutest little family and did everything together just as a human family would. It broke my heart when Big Hoss called me at work to tell me he had found him  and now the mom and dad are just wandering around acting lost.