a dogs prayer and dogs have souls

[Guest]

as asked for by MB..................A DOGS PRAYER......Treat me kindly my beloved master...for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine....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 know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep 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 privledge of sitting at your feet beside the hearth....Though you had 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 worshipper...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 stay ready..willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger....And....My beloved master...should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight....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............................DOGS DON"T HAVE SOULS?...DO THEY?........I remember bringing you home...You were so small with your tiny paws and soft fur...You bounced around the room with your eyes flashing and ears flopping...Once in awhile you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know this was your territory...Making a mess of the house and chewing everything in sight became a passion....and when i scolded you...you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes as if to say....i'm sorry...but i'll do it again as soon as you're not watching...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 waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say..."Welcome home...I missed you"...You never had a bad day and i could always count on you to be there for me...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 its toll...and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore...I knelt down and patted you lying there...trying to make you young again...You just looked up at me as if to say... you were old and tired and 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"...........

[Mr. B]

Thanks

[can it be luck?]

That is a beautiful post!!!

[RuKiddingMe]

As a dog lover and owner, this post really touched me. My little guy is now 7 months old and means the world to me, next fall he will be by my side doing what he enjoys. It amazes me how they are so loyal and love unconditionally.

I dread the day it becomes my little guys time, but until that moment I'm going to live up everytime minute I have with him.

RU

[Guest]

you're very much welcome Mr.B.....they've really helped me when i'm missing all the dogs i have had....don't have one now...waiting to move up north before i get 2 or 3 of them.............Thanks can it be luck...glad you enjoyed them....i know i do....

[Ruttin' Buck]

Thanks walleyekiller. I've been tucking a copy of each in the registration paperwork of the owners that are buying my puppies.

[This message has been edited by Buckblaster (edited 01-23-2004).]

[saddie]

Thanks for that I gave my golden retriever and choc lab a big hug. You're poem brought tears to my eyes made me think of the 2 I have in heaven waiting to lick my hand. Dogs are truely man's best friend they never ask for anything.

------------------
See you on the Ice

[Guest]

Buck.....thats a really cool idea!!!!.....i bet they're really surprised when they take it out and wonder what's this...wish i could see thier reactions after reading it....saddie....they bring tears to my eyes everytime i read them......glad you enjoyed them.....RU kidding.....i think anyone who deeply cares for thier dogs starts preparing themselves for when they have to do the hardest thing....human nature i guess.....

[saddie]

This is a great poem thought maybe people would enjoy reading it again.

[SCUMFROG]

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

THEN YOU CROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER…

[Dan Thiem]

note to self----don't read these at work.

[SCUMFROG]

I second that note...

[deere]

I had to blame it on the allergies...

[freighttrain50]

dont read it at school either.

[sjt]

Very good and meaningful articles Walleyekiller. Here is another one that I received after losing my previous Lab a few years back. It meant a lot to me then and would like to share it with you all.

Where to Bury Your Dog

By Ben Hur Chapman

Originally this article appeared in the Portland Oregonian on September 11, 1925. It was reprinted with permission in Gun Dog Magazine in September 1981.

A subscriber of the Ontario Argus has written to the editor asking, “where shall I bury my dog”. It is asked in advance of death.

We should say to the Ontario man that there are various places in which a dog may be buried. We are thinking now of a Setter whose coat was flame in the sunshine, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This Setter is buried beneath a Cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and in it’s proper season the Cherry tree strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a Cherry tree, or an apple or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed on a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small matter. For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that dog sleeps. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing is lost – if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog.

If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call – come to you over the grim and dim frontiers of death and down the well remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at him, or resent his coming for he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.

[Northland Sportsman]

Wow, those posts really got me thinking of all of my dogs, past and present. It is amazing how much they can gro on you and become one of the family. Losing someone close is never easy, I can't imagine being without my hunting partner, friend and family member, but I know the day will come. These stories really put it in perspective.

[HoleHopper]

WOW.....Thanks

[red ice]

Been a long time reader of these forums and never felt like writing in until now. Those stories/prayers are beautiful. Reminded me of my first dog and brought tears to my eyes. He was an English Setter and I finally had to put him down at 15 human years old. That was one of the toughest days I have ever had, but I know he will be waiting for me someday. Now I am on my second dog, an English Pointer. His energy and love are never ending. Somedays I look at him and have to say, "Lord, please help me be the kind of man my dog thinks I am."

I was wondering if any of you have heard another dog story. I got it as an email a long time ago and made a copy, but of course lost it. The story was similar to the "Rainbow Bridge" one. It is about a man who passes away and his dog is waiting for him. They start to walk down a gravel road looking for heaven. They come to a few places that say they are heaven, but won't allow the dog to come in. So, the man and his dog keep walking. Eventually, they come across a place that will let the man and his dog in. This place is the real heaven. There is more to this story, but that is about all I can remember. If anyone has this story, please post it. Thanks in advance! I think I am going to go outside and visit the spot where Ol' Spunky is buried and see how he is doing.

[The_Duckslayer]

Red Ice, I have seen that as well and searched hi and low for it. That was a good one. If I can ever find it I will post it here. Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[red ice]

After quite a bit of searching, I found that story that I was looking for. It doesn't seem quite the same as I remember it, but it is pretty close. Hope everyone enjoys it.

A man and his dog were walking along a road.

The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him

that he was dead.

He remembered dying and that his dog had been dead for years.

He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of

the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken

by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch

that looked like mother of pearl and the street that led to the gate

looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate and as they got closer, they

saw a man at a desk to one side. When they were close enough,

he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the traveler asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, I'll have some ice water sent right up."

The man gestured and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward the dog, "come in too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought for a moment, and then, turning back towards the road,

continued the way they had been going.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, they came to

a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.

There was no fence. As they approached the gate, he saw a man inside,

leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. Do you have any water?".

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there". The man pointed to a place that

couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."

"How about my friend here?". The traveler said, gesturing to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump" said the man.

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an

old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink, then gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man

who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is heaven," was the answer."

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the

road said that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and the pearly gates?

Nope, that's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"Nope, I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy

that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."

[The_Duckslayer]

Red Ice, thanks for posting that! Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Eric Wettschreck]

If you haven't read the book,"The big da** book of sheer manliness" I highly recommend it. No, it's not a testosterone filled adventure, it's very down to earth, yet funny and cool and manley.

In the book they talk about dogs, and owners, and God, and dogs and owners together. They also make a pretty bold statement, depending on what your beliefs are. They say the only mistake God ever made was making a dogs life so short.

Makes you go, "Hmmmmmmm."