"Angus & Lucy" by Linda Huffman, 2001. Please click on the image to view The Huffman Online Studio & Gallery.
A Dog Owners Prayer
Oh Lord don't let me once forget
How I love my trusty pet.
Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard.
Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa's muddy,
Don't allow my pooch to munch
postal carriers for lunch.
Shield my neighbor's cat from view,
guide my steps around the doo.
Train me not to curse and scowl
when it's puppy's night to howl.
Grant I shan't awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear.
Give me patience without end,
Help me be
"A Dog's Best Friend"
~Author Unknown
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Dogs Don't Have Souls, Do They?
By Chuck Wells of Palmyra N.Y.
I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur. You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping. Once in a while, you'd let out a little yelp, just to let me know this was your territory.
As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be there waiting for me with your tail wagging, saying "Welcome home."
When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop on my lap, looking for attention. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.
As you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then, one day, old age finally took it's toll, and you could no longer stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down beside you and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked at me as if to say you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one last favor.
With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time you were lying next to me. For some strange reason, you were able to stand up in the animal hospital; perhaps it was your sense of pride.
As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say, "Thank you for taking care of me."
I thought, "No, thank you for taking care of me."
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Ten Commandments For A Responsible Pet Owner
(As Told From A Pet's Perspective)
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 only have 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 have crushed the bones in your hand, but I chose 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 the difficult journeys, never say. "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen when I'm not there". Remember everything is easier for me when you are there.
Remember I Love You.
*Reprinted from The Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Of Texas
Do I Go Home Today? By: Sandi Thompson
My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter-without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? Do I go Home today?
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The Dog's "remember" list . . .
1. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
2. I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.
3. I will not roll my toys behind the fridge, behind the sofa or under the bed.
4. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.
5. The mailman is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to get sick.
7. I will not throw up in the car.
8. I will not roll on dead turtles, squirrels, birds, worms etc., just because I like the way they smell.
9. When I greet my people's friends the way I greet my own, my people's friends fall over.
10. I will not eat any more Kleenex or napkins and then redeposit them in the backyard after processing.
11. The FedEx guy is not stealing our stuff.
12. I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them.
13. I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.
14. Drooling on my people does not make them more prone to giving me their food.
15. We do not have a doorbell. I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.
16. I will not steal my mom's underwear and dance all over the back yard with it.
17. The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom's and Dad's laps.
18. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.
19. The plastic bags are not chasing me.
20. I will not play tug-of-war with dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
21. Eating mint flavored dental floss out of the bathroom will result in having a string hanging out of my butt.
22. I will not use "roll around in the dirt" as an option after just getting a bath.
23. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is not an acceptable way of saying hello.
24. The neighbors are not stealing our stuff.
25. I will not fart in my owner's face while sleeping on the pillow next to their head.
26. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt across the carpet.
27. The toilet bowl is not a never-ending water supply and, just because the water is blue, it doesn't mean it is cleaner.
28. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick myself when company is over.
29. Suddenly turning around and smelling my butt can quickly clear a room.
30. The cat is not a squeaky toy so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.
31. I will not lick my butt and then give my people a kiss.
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