Precious Pet Time
 
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 others 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)
Cindi Clarke

Remember that our pets can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS..........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be 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, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. . Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choosenot 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 have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets.

Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters 

Remember, if a dog were 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.
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.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY! 

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I rescued a human today.

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DOG OWNERS PRAYER

O 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 neighor’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 shant 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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Baggage By Evelyn Colbath
From the Shelter Dog

Will You Help Me Unpack?”
Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed,
and all nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I should unpack my baggage, lest I forget,
There is so much to carry, so much to regret…

Hmm…Yes there it is, right on top, let’s first unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and hides Shame,
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave,
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
but I wasn’t good enough for they didn’t want me.
Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?
Or recoil from my things and take me right back?

Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, and never repack?
I pray that you do, for I’m so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage- do you still want me?

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A prayer for a rescue organization:

May God keep our hearts open, our minds clear, our pockets filled with extra money to help the animals, our schedules free with time to work with the animals, our family and friends safe so we don't have to worry about them when we are with the animals, our automobiles full of gas to rescue to the next animal in need, our vets open to treat them, foster homes and adoptive families waiting for each of them. May the animals be safe and injury-free. May each of us and them have enough angels at our sides to always know love and safety. May He bless each and every one of us in all the ways that He knows we need.  Amen

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Blessings for Rescued Pets

Heavenly Father, we are deeply grateful that this little one has been
rescued from the hands of evil-doers that do not honor the sacred
lives of these blessed creatures in your beloved kingdom. We ask
that you continue to watch over this one through your own love, and
that we become servants so that we may take care of this little one.
As this child of yours is blessed to be out of the previous situation
and has come here for physical and emotional recovery, know that
their presence here blesses our own lives. Surely this little one
coming into rescue has opened our own hearts to be ministers of
your love. For love calls love and this is what we find when we help
this one now in our care. We ask that no more harm come to this
precious one and that a lasting a loving home will be the result of
your divine intervention.
In the name of our Lord, we ask these blessings. Amen

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Blessings for the New Pet Adoption

Heavenly Father, we ask your blessings for this little one that has
joined a new family. We ask that you bless this precious one of
yours, this one that you created, so that it may bring your
unconditional love and joy into this world and that this pet be able to
bring that expression of your love to this family. We ask that this
family will always be able to provide a loving home for this little one
and that their time together be blessed with the length of days as
well as shared joy and love.
In Jesus name we ask this blessing. Amen.
 

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 A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

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.'

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"I can't think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog -- completely exhausted after a hard day in the field -- limps away from her nice spot  in front of the fire and comes over to where I'm sitting and puts her head in my lap,  a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend."                                                                                                                 -- Gene Hill, "The Dog Man"

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The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . . When all other friends desert, he remains.                                                                                                                                                                      - George G Vest

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A Dog Sits Waiting

A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun.
Too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.

He's been here for days now with nothing to do,
but sit by the road waiting for you.

He can't understand why you left him that day.
He thought you and he were stopping to play.

He's sure you'll come back, and that's why he stays.
How long will he suffer? How many days?

His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched dry.
He's sick now from hunger and falls, with a sigh.

He lays down his head and closes his eyes.
I wish you could see how a waiting dog dies.

                                                       -Kathy Flood

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A Pet's Euthanasia Prayer

If it be I grow frail and weak,
and pain should wake me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
don't let your grief then stay your hand,
for this day more than all the rest,
your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years together,
what is to come will hold no fears,
you'll not want me to suffer, so,
when the time comes
please let me go.

I know in time you too will see,
it is kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
from pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve that it should be you,
who has to decide this thing to do,
We've been so close, we two these years,
don't let your heart hold any tears.

                                                                                                         Author unknown.

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The Euthanasia Prayer

Beloved God, Help me to understand that you are/were with me, by
my side, helping me to make the humane decision to end the
suffering of my beloved pet.
Help me to forgive myself, as you forgive me lovingly each day for
my shortcomings, knowing my heart. Help me to understand that it
is good and noble to have the courage to face such a difficult
decision and to make them despite how much it hurts to do so.
Help me to realize that, as my decision was made from love, there is
no reason for me to hang onto the heavy burden of guilt that I feel at times.
Help me to realize that, as you have sent us our beloved pets to be
our guardians, we are their guardians in return and are responsible
for their every need - including their need to be free of pain and suffering.
Help me to realize that our life together was a blessing from you and
that is you who called them home to Heaven, and that I only took
them to the door, where you gratefully and lovingly welcomed them home.
Amen.

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A Pet's Thank You Prayer

Author unknown

Now I lay me down to sleep
My humans' bed is soft and deep
I sleep right in the center groove
My human beings can hardly move!

I've trapped their legs, they're tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
Peacefully, without a doubt
'Til morning comes and I want out!

I sneak up slowly to begin
Nibbling on my humans' chins
They soon awake to care for me
'Cuz I'm their critter, don't you see?

Now morning's here and time to play
(I always seem to get my way!)
From first light to the setting sun
I count my blessings one-by-one!

So thank you, Lord, for giving me
These human people that love me
The ones who hug and hold me tight
And share their bed with me at night!

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A Dog's Prayer For Help

Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain,
and dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home,
a warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.

My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water, and God that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and God I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold,
and I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.

They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones,
while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can,
or I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas,
and all that I want is an Owner to please!

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What Happened Here?

The family's dog was bought for a guard,  chained to a post in a chilly backyard.

Housed in a shed that was airless and dark, and every few weeks had a run in the park.

When boredom set in with no fun and no work, one day it broke loose and went quietly berserk.

Pa couldn't fathom just why it went wild as it flattened his wife and then bit his child.

The police were called in to sort out the mess, and the whole sorry tale was revealed by the press.

The Animal Shelter was really annoyed, so the dog was rehomed, and the owners destroyed.

                                                                                                   ---- Author unknown

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Today I made a difference!

I'll never bring about world peace.

I won't single handedly prevent nuclear war.

I'm not a brain surgeon and I'll never transplant an organ to save a life.

I don't have the ear of a powerful politician or world power.

I can't end world hunger.

I'm not a celebrity, and God knows I'm not glamorous!

I'm not looked up to by millions around the world.

Very few people even recognize my name.

I'll never win the Nobel prize.

I'll never save the rain forest or end global warming. 

There are a lot of things that I'll never do or become.

But today I placed a dog!

It was a small, scared, bundle of flesh and bones that was dropped off in a shelter by unfeeling people

that didn't care what happened to it, but yet who were responsible for it even having existence in the

first place.

I found it a home.

It now has contentment and an abundance of love.  A warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. 

Two little boys have a warm, fuzzy new friend who will give them unquestioning devotion and

teach them about responsibility and love.

A wife and mother has a new spirit to nurture and care for.

A husband and father has a companion to sit at his feet at the end of a hard day of work and help

him relax and enjoy life.  And a sense of security, that when he is gone all day at work, that

there is a protector and guardian in his home to keep watch over his family.

No; I'm not a rocket scientist. 

But today, I made a difference!

Cheryl Reed, author

Copyright 2000

(Reprinted with permission as long as the author's name and copyright date are included.)