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[Midnight Rider]

Copied and pasted from a friend...


A Dog's Purpose

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. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing of you.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

[REGGAB]

I've always had at least one Boxer around.  They set a really good example.

What I need to do is wise up.........and follow it.   

[lilbear]

Terry,

Great words to live by!  So true in so many ways.

Henry, I think it used to be in your tag line and I always liked it, but you said "I strive to be the man that man dog thinks I am".  Dogs seem to have the perfect outlook on life.  They think we are great and we owe it to them and all around us to try and be as they see us.  Anyway, it was a great tag line!

Thanks again Terry.  It was a great post!

Craig

[REGGAB]

Terry,

Great words to live by!  So true in so many ways.

Henry, I think it used to be in your tag line and I always liked it, but you said "I strive to be the man that man dog thinks I am".  Dogs seem to have the perfect outlook on life.  They think we are great and we owe it to them and all around us to try and be as they see us.  Anyway, it was a great tag line!

Thanks again Terry.  It was a great post!

Craig

Yep......that's it, Craig.  Everyday I strive to be the man my dogs think I am.  Hard as I try, I usually fall short of that lofty goal.  I wouldn't give up those Boxers for anything.  Though Annie Bea is pushing a decade with us, and beginning to show her age, she never, ever fails to keep us happy and laughing.  Such a wonderful Girl.

[nidan]

Wise words.

Recently picked up a t-shirt on a ride in the mountains that has similar wisdom , as folks refer to me as the old grey wolf at times..It fit

Advice from a Wolf :
Trust your instincts 
Be at home in Nature
Keep your den clean
Stand fur what you believe
Stay on track
Howl with your friends
Be a leader
Pack life with good memories

[RedDevil]

Terry,
Thanks so much for those words.  All to often we overlook the things that make life great.  We all could learn from our pet as to what life really is supposed to be like.  Thanks again, that really makes you sit back and think about how they've got it right about life. And we're supposed to be the intelligent ones.
Cheers ,
 

[Special_Ed]

Several years ago I had to put down my dog of 14 years. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I get choked up just writing this. Below is something my niece sent me after it was over, thought this would be a good place to share it.

Ed


Author Unknown

Treat Me Kindly

My beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than this loving heart of mine.  Do not break my spirit with a stick, for 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 fall upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please do take me inside, for I am 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 you had no home, I should prefer to follow you through ice and snow, rather than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land.  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, master, when I am very old, if the Great Master sees fit to deprive me of my health and sight, do not turn me away from you.  Rather, take my trusting life gently, and I shall leave you, knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was always safest in your hands.

Amen
 

[JesterDecor]

I love that poem Special_Ed!

YEPS, tears on a friday morning! MY dogs are part of our family, too!!

[JesterDecor]

Just thought this would be a great place to post a pic of my little "puppers". I call him my little waggy-tail. NO bad day at work can't have puppy magic make everything a little better and brighter!!

He's a long hair 14 lb chihuahua.

[Spoiled!]

Very touching! Tears to my eyes. I think I will be facing that issue within the next year probably. My Lou is 13 yrs old, hard of hearing, has a kidney that doesn't work and has lost lots of weight and very weak back end. She has a very hard time with the stairs (which we have many in our house). Right now, she doesn't seem to be in any pain whatsoever and she keeps on kicking. As long as she is a happy dog and not in pain she will remain with us. I try and walk her everyday to keep some strength up on that back end. It will be a very, very sad day in my house when that day comes.

[Hoist!]

Thanks for that Ed. Not a day goes by where I don't miss my boys! Had to put Rocky, my GS down when he was 5 due to a brain tumor the size of a baseball. It broke my family's hearts. And my best buddy Chopper, my Rottie, passed at 9 YO in my arms at the vets office. Chopper refused to die in our home and got real slow, but waited for me to take him in to the vet that week. He refused to do it in front of the kids. Within 5 minutes there, he peacefully passed in my arms. We both knew it was time, but it was really tough to see him go. Both were as much a part of our family as anyone else.

And now it's over. The kids are grown up and we can't travel much with a dog at home. I'd never kennel my dogs. So Chopper was our last. But I'll never forget all the joy they brought to us. I keep them with me in my heart, and have both of them tattooed on my leg so I can walk them forever!

Hoist!

Added: This was my Buddy Chopper. Pic was pre Binx. House was since remodeled. No comment on my Pre-Binx lifestyle please!

[Chief]

Just thought this would be a great place to post a pic of my little "puppers". I call him my little waggy-tail. NO bad day at work can't have puppy magic make everything a little better and brighter!!

He's a long hair 14 lb chihuahua.

He needs to be added here: CVO Pets

[Midnight Rider]

Nice words, Ed...

Kathy...you'll know when it's time.  I had to put my Autralian Terrier, Sunny, down a few years ago with congestive heart failure.  I kept him going until he was 15 1/2 years old with special diet and fluid pills, but one night when I got home he was in a particularly bad state.  He looked into my eyes with his head on my lap, and I knew it was time.  He went to sleep the next morning with his head in my hands and I cried like a baby, as did the vet who had taken care of him all his life.  He was a very special friend...his picture is sitting on my desk right now.  I have another female now who is 11 years old and has diabetes...she gets her shots twice a day, but it is taking a toll on her little body...I'll know when it's time for her as well.  She is my baby girl...

[REGGAB]

WOW!  I've had Boxers forever......or so it seems.  Renea and I rescued a Boxer boy named Drake from an abusive home.  His challenge was fear biting.  He bit me the day we rescued him.  We tried for a year to love that demon out of him.  During that year, Drake snapped at our groomer, my brother and our vet.  It got to the point where our vet wouldn't see him without a muzzle.  For the most part, he was a very sweet boy.  At the end of that year, he had a cut on his right foot.  Renea was changing his bandage one morning, and he tore into her.  That morning I took him to our vet and had him put to sleep.  It broke my heart, and I cried like a baby.  It stills gets to me.   
In March of 2004, our brindle girl, Sassy, began having problems doing her business.  Exams showed a mass in her pelvic region.  Took her to a veterinary internal medicine specialist.  She performed an ultrasound exam, which revealed a mass the size of an eggplant.  Her recommendation was to give Sassy Colace and keep her comfortable.  That lasted 19 days.  The day Sassy departed for the Rainbow Bridge will forever be one of the SADDEST days of my life.  She was a mere 6 weeks from her eighth birthday.
My old girl, Annie Bea, recently celebrated her ninth birthday.  She is such a wonderful Boxer Lady.  She has survived cancer twice.  She has alot of stiffness now, especially when it gets cold, but she is so full of life.  She isn't in any pain........unless Springer gets too rough with her when playing.  She will put him in his place when he does get too rough.  Nine years is the low end of Boxer longevity.  Each day with her is a Blessing, as has been her entire life.  Don't even want to think about it..........but I will not let her suffer.
As Terry mentioned, our babies will communicate with us.....painful as it may be, they know much better than us when their time on this mortal coil is nearing its end.  Listen to them, and do right by them...........for there is no greater love.

Peace,

Henry

[Hugh Janis]

My 13 year old lab husky mix "Asker" was getting weak last thanksgiving and stopped eating regular food.  We switched to canned food and she stopped eating that also.  I'd make her scrambled eggs with bread and cheese in them and hold it in a pie tin for her to eat while laying down.  After a week or so she could no longer stand and could no longer eat.  I struggled with "when will it be time".  I'd heard from others that, "You'll just know".  In the couple weeks this downhill spiral occured she never once soiled the house.  I carried her outside right before Christmas last year and walked around picking up sticks while talking to her.  I went over to pick her up to carry her back in and under her tail was a good sized lincoln log she managed to push out while laying down.  It was time, we both knew it.  I made an appointment the next day.  I picked my daugher up from school and we could all be there.  Just before the vet pushed the plunger on the syringe Asker turned her head toward me and placed it gently in my hands.  All I felt was her head gradually get heavy.

She didn't make eye contact with me, she looked into my soul.  I'll miss the old girl.  We got a puppy (Lab) over the summer.  She's coming along, but she's still a puppy...