Just My Dog
He's just my dog.
He is my other eyes
that can see above the clouds, my other ears that hear above the winds.
He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being - by the way he rests
against my leg, the way he thumps his tail at the smallest smile, and how he shows his
hurt when I leave. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for
me.)
When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another person.
With him, I am all
powerful.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion is loyalty itself.
With him, I know secret comfort and a private peace.
He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my
side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me ... whenever ... in case I need him, and I expect I will,
as I always have.
Who is he? He's just ... my dog.
author unknown*
Source: The PUBlication newsletter, subscribe at LadeLade@aol.com
*See link at end of page, another version credited to Gene Hill.
Had to make a page for those words - they are soooo true. While this pic is not particularly flattering, it's one of my favorites and certainly fits the sentiment. Doesn't matter what the stupid human is doing, it's all OK with the dog.
Lib had been gone for more than a year when I made this page. I try to remember that it was my privilege to be her guardian for almost 14 years instead of dwelling on a heartache like no other. I still miss her and think about her every single day.
http://diabellalovescats.com/graphics.htm
My thanks to Diabella for the tribute graphic. Her site features artwork for rescue and spay/neuter messaging, also various occasions and interests, including vintage-dressed doggie characters.
Also, please see a very special tribute written by a friend,
and for more pics (much better and many moods), drop in on
You'll find connections to the rest of her pages as well as a wide variety of outside links - bring the tissue, you'll be crying and laughing.
Lucky me again ...
Lib was a hard act to follow. However, Buster must have boned up (sorry, couldn't help it) on how to be the funniest, sweetest and best-behaved-buddy rules before he made his appearance.
Meet Buster, the Boston Tooter
I'll try to keep the following in mind when Buster's time comes, from a forwarded e-mail, with credit to Robin Downing, D.V.M.
Some of the most poignant
moments I spend as a veterinarian are those spent with my clients assisting the transition
of my animal patients from this world to the next. When living becomes a burden, whether
from pain or loss of normal functions, I can help a family by ensuring that their beloved
pet has an easy passing. Making this final decision is painful, and I have often felt
powerless to comfort the grieving owners.
That was before I met Shane. I had been called to examine a 10-year-old blue heeler named
Belker who had developed a serious health problem. 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 there were no miracles left 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 the 4-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could 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. 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.
He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
July 27, 2007
Puppy's
Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
My nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
And it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!
author unknown
Source: The PUBlication newsletter, subscribe at LadeLade@aol.com
Have you ever wished for a dog that was already trained and needed a good home? You may consider contacting your local police department to see if they have a canine unit. Usually a dog or two in every training class are just not cut out for the work. Many times the police department will put your name on a waiting list for one of these dogs or a retiring police dog.
http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm
More critter pages ~ everything from
funnies to tributes and serious issues, including outside links
Meet our
newly "adopted" K9 unit in Bosnia
http://www.therealmartha.com/WARK9/index.htm
and
Angel,
Christmas piano dog, in a Grable pin-up pose every soldier dog can drool over
http://www.therealmartha.com/PianoDog/index.htm
Lib and Buster and a friend's cat also named Buster are famous now! See http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page10.html, party cat caption, pic of kitty with his invitation to "shower" given by the gang who rescued him. Suggestion - serve Kitty Litter Cake, recipe and pic: http://members.aol.com/MsAtte2ude/happy4th.index.html
Look for my Buster http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page8.html, Boston terrier and chewing captions
Miss Liberty is the newshound,
poodle mix, poo-mix pup and well-dressed (in her stars and stripes): http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page3.html
~~~
Dogs
help Us Eat Better
Dog's Eye View hosted by Miss Liberty, M.E. (Mutt Extraordinaire)
Puppies are so Cute, But
...
Includes Spay/Neuter Myth Busting article, both written by Miss Liberty - please
print copies for distribution
"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable.
They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit
well." ~ Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'
The International Courtesy Whiz
Exchange
The Ultimate Style
Whizzin' on a Cloud (A tribute to Miss Liberty)
Lotsa Libbys
Do You Know a Libby?
LPN, Licensed Practical Noogiest
Fave Sites
Loads of critter links, includes Lib's Paws and Claws on the Keyboard award
and winners
Darn
Dogs!
A showcase of pets in all their wreckage (and dirty) glory
gotta love the little monsters
NeuterNeuterLand
Spay/neuter graphics and info, etc. promoting neuter with humor
da Dude Award
The Boston Tooter's You "dude" a great page award and winners
Caricatures by Rina
A friend's page that I "host" - excellent pet caricatures
Buster's Party
A kitty shower, featuring Kitty Litter Cake
Happy 4th from Miss
Liberty
Includes Kitty Litter Cake recipe
http://www.therealmartha.com/Watchmy6/index.htm
SEAL pups? It's a cutie
http://www.therealmartha.com/LPNs/index.htm
More licensed practical noogiests, therapy angels of the four-legged, wet-nosed,
sloppy-kissin' kind
http://www.therealmartha.com/BegRoyale/index.htm
The Beggar Royale and friends
An outstanding memorial
http://www.suegram.net/Toto/
Farewells to Tasha
http://www.seawesty.com/SeaAngel.html
The Journey, animal companions
tribute
http://www.therealmartha.com/journey/index.htm
Another version of Just My Dog,
credited to Gene Hill
http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~bjmcmil/dick/mydog.html
The coolest directory on the planet!
