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A Dog's Plea | |
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The Spirit of a Boxer
I was standing on a hillside in a field of blowing wheat
And the Spirit of a Boxer dog was lying at my feet.
He looked at me with kind dark eyes,
As ancient wisdom shining through and in the essence
of his being, I saw love there too.
His mind did lock upon my heart as I stood there on that day.
And he told me of this story -- about a place so far away.
I stood upon that hillside in a field of blowing wheat --
And in a twinkling of a second, his Spirit left my feet.
His tale did put my heart at ease, my fears did fade away --
About what lay ahead of me on another distant day.
"I live among God's creatures now -- in the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend as I am with my kind."
My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star --
My boundaries are the Milky Way where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here for I am not confined --
But free to roam God's heavens among my Boxer kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud, gentle breezes rocking me --
And dream the dreams of earthlings and how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats and tennis balls abound --
And milkbones line the walkways just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up on the grass all lush and green --
And everyone who gaits around, becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place, we have no faults you see --
And God passes out those ribbons to each one, even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold, my world a beauty to behold --
And wise old dogs do form my pride to amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in an angel's arms, her wings protecting me --
And moonbeams dance about us as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent, and you stand at Heaven's gate --
Have no fear of loneliness for here, you know, I wait.
-- Author unknown
A
Dog's Plea
(from
Ann Landers, Tuesday, May 15, 1990, originally appearing in 1986)
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, 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 might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce sagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for 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, my
friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight,
do no make herioc efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see
to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the
last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
If
a dog were your teacher, you would learn stuff 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.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
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.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt
thing and pout ... run right back and make friends.
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.
And most of all ... When someone is having a bad day,
be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
--
Author Unknown
If
Dogs Wrote to God....
Dear God,
Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?
Dear God,
When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old story?
Dear God,
Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?
Dear God,
If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Dear God,
We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?
Dear God,
More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.
Dear God,
When we get to the Pearly Gates, do we have to shake hands to get in?
Dear God,
Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
Dear God,
Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog:
- I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.
- I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.
- The sofa is not a face towel; neither are Mom and Dad's laps.
- The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
- My head does not belong in the refrigerator.
- I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's driver's license and registration.
- I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
- Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is not an acceptable way of saying 'hello.'
- I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.
- I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.
- I will not throw up in the car.
- I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt across the carpet.
- I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch when company is over.
- 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.
Dear God,
May I have my testicles back?