July 19, 2007
What Your Dog Wants You to Know
I have received more comments on the following short article than on any other article published over the last few years in the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter. It's one of my personal favorites, as well. I just love it.
The Ten Things Your Dog Wants You To Know
If your dog could talk, these are some of most important things she would like to tell you…
1 - My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two.
2 - If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed.
3 - Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don't feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me.
4 - Don't stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!
5 - Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can't comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you're telling me by the tone of your voice.
6 - Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it.
7 - When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8 - Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven't been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can't do what I used to do.
9 - Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels.
10 - Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can't handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side. Remember my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life.
Danielle Hollister (2000)Danielle Hollister is the Writing Host at BellaOnline http://www.bellaonline.com/career/writing.html
and Publisher of BellaOnline's Writing Zine http://www.egroups.com/group/bellaonlinewriting
to subscribe send email to: bellaonlinewriting-subscribe @ egroups.com
If you like this lovely piece as much as I do, leave your comments below!
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Comments
July 21, 2007
Beverley said:
Truer words were never spoken. I liked that.
July 22, 2007
julie stephens said:
Beautifully written and so true.
October 29, 2007
Toni Pacelli said:
So true, too bad most people don't understand this!!
October 30, 2007
Toni Pacelli said:
Dear Brigitte,
thank you for the dog summary…..how true it is and if only all people could read this and or believe in it.
I don't have a dog of my own…….and I would give my right arm to have one!!!!!
I have a 14 yr old cat "Buckwheat". The reason I do not have a dog is because I am never home enough for a dog and all that dogs deserve I couldn't give him or her as of yet.
I own a Pet Sitting Business here on Long Island, I go to homes and care for animals and I am with dogs everyday 7 days a week and also all other animals. So, all the dogs I get the privilege to meet and care for are my dogs…I love them all to death and they love me!!!!
However, some of my jobs are not so great as I don't like how some people treat their dog so my job gets very depressing at times. Then on the other hand, I meet people who treat their dogs as family and love them very much and they have a great life.
I am planning to get out of Long Island and go somewhere with a great yard and get 2 dogs of my own. I plan to build an in home boarding facility for dogs with no cages…..they would have rooms, beds, blankets and all the love they so deserve while their parents are on vacation under my care at my home.
I now live in a Condo, so I do not have the space for what I want to do and I drive all over Suffolk County from house to house caring for all animals and it's really getting to me (the driving) not the animals.
They are the center of my world, my passion in life and there's nothing in the world I wouldn't do for them.
Anyway….just want to thank you for the dog summary it was great….it brought tears to my eyes reading it and I will e-mail it to all my friends who love their dogs.
Toni Pacelli
Brigitte Smith said:
Hi Toni,
Thanks for your comments.
It's always great to hear from people for whom pets are literally their lives (in terms of working with animals) - even if you don't have a dog of your own! You certainly make up for it with what you do.
Regards,
Brigitte
April 15, 2008
shirley said:
oh how so true.there is no greater love than you and your dog. i have a dog name bear and we are the very best friends.
April 23, 2008
Brigitte Smith said:
Absolutely, Shirley!
July 14, 2008
mary brixey said:
LOVE THE READING WE HAVE A 15 YR OLD DASHCHUND ITS GOING TO BE SO HARD WHEN HE PASSES I SAY ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN NOT CATS HAHAHAH ANYWAYS HE HAS BEEN SO MUCH COMPANY TO ME SINCE WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE EMPTY NEST PART OF LIFE HE JUST LOVES OUR LITTLE DOWNS SYNDROME GRAND DAUGHTER THEY ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS!!!!!!!!SHE IS 6 THIS WEDNESDAY.HE HAS NEVEWR BEEN MEAN TO HER IN 6 YEARS.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!!MARY BRIXEY PRAIRIE CITY S.D. 57649