From a Dog to His Crabby Owner:

When you first brought me home with you,
You used to like to play.
You promised me that in your heart
Forever I would stay.

Something’s happened lately
And I don’t know what to do.
It’s time that I remind you
Of why God sent me to you.

Your voice is loud and angry
When you’re talking on the phone.
You growl a lot and say
That I should just leave you alone.

You know that I can’t do that,
It’s the crime of canine crimes,
I will be right there by your side
In both good and bad times.

I know there’s human things
That I will never understand,
But I think that I am helping
When I lick your tired hand.

I hope I make you happy
When I fetch my favorite toy,
It used to be a lot of fun
It used to bring you joy.

You used to like to talk to me
And look into my eyes,
You knew there was a great spirit
Behind a canine disguise.

I love you even though you’re mad
Your voice I will obey,
I hope that you still love me, too,
Although you will not say.

I’ll remind you now
Of why I came here from above,
To give to you and teach you
All about pure selfless love.

So remember this about those things
That make you seem so sad,
You’d realize, if you’d play with me,
That nothing’s quite that bad.

Love always,
Your dog.

 

This wonderful story has been circulating on the dog lists and hits the nail on the head in my opinion!!! I don’t know the author or point of origin, but please enjoy.

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.

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.