| A scholar could not have explained this any better...
Why Dogs Don't Live As Long As People ====================================== Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very much attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left 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 the four-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 four-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. |
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A Shelter Dog asks God... Author: Joan C. Fremo Published on: July 29, 2001 Dear God, What is "Time"? I hear the sadness in the voices of workers here. They say my "Time is up", that they have to make room for yet another dog. My "Time" is up. I don't know what that means, God. I only know that my new friends are so sad, and the more I wag my tail... the harder I try to make them feel better... The sadder they become. I know I have heard that word "Time" before, but I don't understand. When I was younger, my people would say "Time to play!" They would throw the ball, and I would run fast. Sometimes I brought it back to them, but other times we'd end up chasing each other having fun. I remember "Time to eat". My people would put down a bowl of food, and I would enjoy dinner, wagging my tail in joy. There was also "Time for your walk". My boy would put my leash on, and we would go walking together, visiting the neighborhood and enjoying each other's company. When I was younger I thought "Time" meant fun. Or maybe Love? I don't understand. "Time" must mean something else, but how can it change, God? Before I came here, I heard my people say, "No time to feed you now, boy. Later, when I get home." Sometimes my family would forget, and there was no food in my bowl. Does "Time" mean when my belly hurts? My people said there was no time for walks. I tried to hold it all day long-- but God, I just couldn't anymore. When I finally had to go, it made my family very angry. Does "Time" means anger? Or maybe Loneliness? My family said they didn't have "Time". They didn't have time to play, or time to take me to the vet, or time to go for walks. They didn't have "Time", so they brought me here. Maybe I was right... They said they didn't have time, and if "Time" means Love, how did they lose it? Did I do something wrong? God, I think my new friends are sending me to you. Do you have "Time"? May I sit on the couch? Am I a good Dog, God? Is it "Time"? ========================================= One of the most important things we can give our Pets is "Time". The time to love them, care for them, and train them. Animal Shelters and Humane Societies across the country are filled with Pets whose families didn't have "Time". Every year, the "Time is up" for 12 million companion Pets. Do you have the "Time" to make a difference? |
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LUCKY and His Treasures
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease...she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully but the dog just drooped, whining and miserable. But finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. Panic soon gave way to laughter though when Mary realized the problem. she was covered, literally blanketed in every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement and back bringing his beloved mistress his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. |
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The Kiss...
He had just saved her from a house fire, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house and into her front yard. He made sure she was all right, then left her there and returned to fighting the fire. She is pregnant. When the fire was finally out, the fireman sat down to catch his breath and rest. A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina, newspaper, "The Observer," noticed 'her' watching the fireman. He saw her walk straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do. As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired fireman who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped this photograph. |
 And people say animals are dumb. |
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Christmas at the Shelter
"Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town, Every shelter is full - we are lost but not found, Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare, We hope every minute that someone will care, They'll come to adopt us and give us the call, "Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!" But now we sit here and think of the days... We were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways, Once we were little, then we grew and we grew - Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new. So out the back door we were thrown like the trash, They reacted so quickly - why were they so rash? We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call", We "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall, We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed, Now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made. If only they'd trained us, if only we knew... We'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too. We were left in the backyard, or worse - let to roam - Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home. They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye... "Maybe someone else will give us a try." So now here we are, all confused and alone... In a shelter with others who long for a home. The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat, With so many to care for, they can't stay to chat, They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer... We know that they wonder how long we'll be here. We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads... Of a home filled with love and our own cozy bed. Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears - Our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear. If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn - Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin? We count on your kindness each day of the year - Can you give more than hope to everyone here? Please make a donation to pay for the heat... And help us get us something special to eat. The shelter that cares for us wants us to live, And more of us will, if more people will give. |
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