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Author
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Topic: 10 Commandments for Responsible pet ownership!
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GretaJack
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posted January 15, 2004 12:43 PM
I came across this on a Lab Rescue sight. Thought others might appreciate it that haven't already seen it.
10 commandment for Responsible Pet Ownership
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very 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. I HAVE ONLY YOU.
5. Talk to me, Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but 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've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it" or, "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.
Posts: 195 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted January 16, 2004 12:38 AM
Number 10 really hit a nerve for me. When I had to put my dog down - everyone told me that I shouldn't be there - that it would be best for me not to watch. Even the vet tried to talk me out of it. I think only real dog people understand that they need to be there for their animals - even if it means being there for their last minutes. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch - but at least I have the comfort of knowing that my little angel passed away peacefully in my arms.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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Stanley's mom
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posted January 18, 2004 02:28 PM
I feel exactly the same way about number ten. I had to put my dog down on christmas day and was there with him, petting him and talking to him and I pray that it helped him. This is a great list.
Posts: 11 | From: New Milford, Connecticut | Registered: Jan 2004
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Puellula
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Member # 404
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posted January 20, 2004 11:22 PM
I wish more people followed those...
I dread to go to work in the mornings and leave my two babies all alone, outside, and this morning it was raining! They have their own home of course, but still! Those eyes staring at me because I'm leaving them alone!
Here is something I came across on a website.
THE CREATION VERSE
When GOD had made the earth and sky
The flowers and the trees
He then made all the animals and
all the birds and bees
And when His work was finished
not one was quite the same
He said:" I'll walk this earth of mine
and give each one a name."
And so He travelled land and sea
and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed Him
until it's strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said:
"Dear Lord, there's no name left for me."
The Father smiled and softly said:
"I've left you to the end,
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you 'DOG' my friend!"
Posts: 33 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Freckles
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posted January 24, 2004 04:46 PM
Golly, you guys... used up all my tissues with those two. ![[Smile]](smile.gif) I am sharing with fellow dog lovers. Thanks.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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Pit Bull Luver 2004
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Member # 574
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posted January 25, 2004 11:39 AM
That really moved me and i thought it was very cute i`m going to write it down and post it in my room!
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ReMeMbEr:
*~~~Animals Are Forever~~~*
Posts: 3 | From: Las Vegas | Registered: Jan 2004
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Conanthe Brabarian
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posted April 08, 2004 01:25 PM
Tear jerker...i love my dog...where are the tissues... ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blush.gif)
Posts: 61 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Apr 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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Member # 740
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posted April 08, 2004 02:21 PM
This one made be cry for 1/2 hour (at least)
HOW COULD YOU? By Jim Willis 2001
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was bad, you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them,too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No,Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first,whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.
She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
The End
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it
did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.
Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Crystal7883
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posted April 08, 2004 03:55 PM
Wow that brought tears to my eyes also
Posts: 77 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Rio's mom
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posted April 08, 2004 05:28 PM
WIll you guys please stop it. I can't take that HOW COULD YOU letter! It doesn't just make me cry, it makes my heart physically ache. I can't take it.
A few years ago I had a rough 10 months-having to put 3 beloved pets down. One 16 year old cat(cancer), another cat, 14 years old(complication from diabetes), and our dog, a 12 year old Dalmatian (multiple illnesses). It was so hard, but I was there with each one of them. Our vet was so kind-letting me spend as much time as I needed. It is so important that the human that they love best is with them at the end. (sniffle)
Posts: 14 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Mar 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted April 08, 2004 07:23 PM
I think that's why this one touched me so as well but it's an important message to those who only what a puppy or those who want to bring more puppies into the world.
My shepard that I had put down (muscular myopathy) is still with me. Her ashes are in a pine box that overlooks the backyard. They never really leave you.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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ellierat
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posted April 09, 2004 03:41 AM
Gosh, I only got as far as the human baby part in How Could You, I could'nt read anymore, made me want to go out and cuddle all of mine, but it's pitch dark, and they would wonder what was going on, Mum out here at this time of night, although I'm sure they wouldn't of minded the cuddles. Yes I breed Labradors, but they are preordered, I just delivered a little girl one to the eagerly awaiting arms of new owners, but I always give a sheet with my phone number, email address, food, vaccinations, worming etc. but most importantly I always say, any problems, questions or troubles feel free to contact me. I would take that pup back in a minute if they changed their minds, but even so I still felt terrible handing her over. After reading this post I feel absolutely awful.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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ayl715
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posted April 12, 2004 11:50 PM
Dear all
Have your tissues ready ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
BEFORE I DIE
Copyright Jim Willis 2002
'Tis lonely here in prison,
I dream of sun, of fields,
I saw them from a window once,
but I don't know how they feel.
I've never known a caress,
a friend, a bone, a toy,
I'd happily companion,
a human girl or boy.
But some men have decided,
with selfishness and greed,
that my fate shall be a cage,
and for my keep, I'll breed.
What should fuel this folly?
My kind may bark in vain.
We care not for your commerce,
and few know of our pain.
We're hidden well from justice,
for our freedom some may cry.
God grant me, please, just one request -
Let me play once before I die.
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How I hate puppy mill !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 34 | Registered: Dec 2003
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