Category: Animal House
I Am Your Dog
I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.
You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of other of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.
I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk.
I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" -- I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.
Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.
-Love, (on behalf of canines everywhere).
Author Unknown
I saw this too. Very touching. *smile* Thanks for reposting.
I'd say this applies to more than just dogs. In fact, I'd say it applies to other humans. having said that, I like this, a lot.
Aww yeah for any pet you have or the people you love.
Yes, it's beautiful. It made me think of my cat who passed on in 2001, and my old retired guide who just turned 12 on the 13th of July. So since I'm moving back to Ohio, I can spend time with him and my new guide. But yes, very very touching.
I think this is so important because guide dog users especially often need to stop and just be with their dogs. Our dogs are always with us, or almost always with us, if we are proper guide dog handlers at any rate. And they share so much with us because of their access rights under the law, weddings, birthdays, Christmass, church, funerals, graduations, sometimes honeymoons, classes and jobs, first dates, job interviews, illness, triomphs, failures, and on and on and on. They are almost always touching us, laying on our foot, leaning on our hip, at the very least attached to a leash a few short feet away. But, many guide dog handlers take this for granted, and yes, any guide dog trainer will tell you that that constant close physical proximity is valuable to these wonderful dogs. But emotional proximity, when one is not taking notes on a lecture, writing up a grant preposal, judging trafic, making out with a partner, trying to supervise a child, paying attention to a speach or sermon, etc, is very important too. Taking a few minutes every day or every few days to just use your guide as a pillow and feel their heart beat and sync your breathing with theirs is important. Or, taking the time to envite them up on your bed, to haull their big 60 plus pound self into your lap in the arm chair, or to join them in their oversized dog bed for some close snuggle time is so crucial to our dogs. Laying face to face with your dog and finding that quiet place where they are not sleeping, they are awake and you are almost nose to nose, but you're not complaining about dog breath and your dog's not wildly trying to lick your nose and you are just communing, is amazing and not to be missed.
yes, I agree with this, and with the last post. While there are certainly some people out there who are ... way too involved with their guide dogs (or regular dogs for that matter) having a pet be more than just something to play with now ad then s essential. In the case of guide dogs, they are more than just a tool too. (Though that doesn't mean you should stop seaking human companionship too.:)
thank you for sharing this!
A DOG'S PRAYER
By Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, 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 the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
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 falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, 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, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest--and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
Both the preyer and e mail almost made me cry. Their so beautiful, and I'm so greatful to have my guide dog Tripp. He's my best friend, and such a love. I enjoy evry day we have together, and don't know what I would do without him.