If You Love a Dog
(Playing
~ "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria Rusticana, by Mascagni)
Treat Me Kindly
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, 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 should lick your
hand between 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 must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your
footsteps fall upon my 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
privilege of sitting at your feet
beside the hearth. 'Though, had you no home, I would rather
follow you though 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 worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for
although I should not reproach you were it dry,
I cannot tell you when I suffer from thirst. Feed me clean food,
that I may stay well, to romp
and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and to stand
ready, willing and able
to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, 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 you 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 in your hand.
~ Beth Norman Harris
Rest In Peace
Father, in Thy starry tent
I kneel, a humble suppliant ...
A dog has died today on earth,
Of little worth
Yet very dear.
Gather him in Thine arms
If only
For a while.
I fear
He will be lonely ...
Shield him with Thy smile.
~ Dr. Wilfred J. Funk
Virtues of the Dog
He neither forgets you nor neglects to
welcome your homecoming.
He doesn't talk back.
He accepts whatever you do as right.
He does not gossip or backbite.
His life is a sermon on unselfish affection
without hope of reward.
In prompt obedience he is a model for children.
He will run his four legs off to make you or your children happy.
Like a real hero he will risk his life for you and yours.
If children are rough, he will endure it.
If children are unkind, he will forgive it.
If he does not get enough to eat, he will forget it.
If you burden him too heavily, he will bear up as best he can.
He is thankful for his simple food.
He seldom sulks or long retains a misunderstanding.
His added friends do not lessen his affection for you.
He does not question your dress or station in life.
He respects your temperament and seeks to
please you.
He does not bore you with his troubles. He does not ask why.
He is polite and thanks you with a wag of his tail for every kind
word or act.
He trusts you supremely and is the very embodiment of faith, hope,
and love.
~author unknown
(from the old Don McNeill Breakfast Club radio broadcasts)
The 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, 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 each 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. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body
quivers. Suddenly, he begins to run
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 Rainbow Bridge together !!
~author unknown
A Little Dog-Angel
High up in the courts of heaven today
A little dog-angel waits,
With the other angels he will not play,
But he sits alone at the gates;
"For I know that my master will come," says he:
"And when he comes, he will call for me."
He sees the spirits that pass him by
As they hasten toward the Throne,
And he watches them with a wistful eye
As he sits at the gates alone;
"But I know if I just wait patiently
That some day my master will come," says he.
And his master, far on the earth below,
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets sometimes, and he whistles low
For the dog that is not there;
And the little dog-angel cocks his ears,
And dreams that his master's call he hears.
And I know, when at length his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold
For the hand of death to open the gates
That lead to those courts of gold,
The little dog-angel's eager bark
Will comfort his soul in the shivering dark.
~ Norah M. Holland
|
Scan of watercolor I purchased many years
ago ...
poodle puppy by Frank Hopper, signed in 1975
A Man and His Dog
A man and his dog were walking along a road.
Suddenly it occurred to him that he was dead.
He remembered dying, and that his faithful dog had been dead for
many years.
After a while, they came to a high white
stone wall that looked like fine marble. As he reached
the wall, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch and the street
was made from pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate. He
saw a man at a desk so he called out,
"Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is heaven, sir," the man
answered. "Wow! Would you happen to have some water?
We have traveled far," the man said.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog,
"come in too?" the traveler asked. "I'm sorry, sir,
but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment, remembering all
the years this dog remained loyal to him and then
turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been
going.
After another long walk he came to a plain
dirt road, which led through a farm gate
that looked as if it had never been closed. As he approached the
gate, he saw a man
inside leaning against a tree.
"Excuse me!" he called to the
reader. "Do you have any water? We have traveled far
and are very thirsty."
"Yes, sure, there's a faucet over there."
The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen
from outside the gate. "Come on in and help yourself."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to his dog.
"There should be a bowl by the faucet; he is welcome to share."
They went through the gate, and, sure enough,
there was an old-fashioned faucet
with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the bowl and took a long
drink himself, then he gave some to his 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 pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No. We're just happy that they screen
out the folks who'd leave their best
friends behind in exchange for material things."
Lend Me a Pup
I will lend to you for awhile,
a pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe two or three
But will you, 'till I call him back,
take care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
and (should his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come
to take my pup back again.
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this pup will bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness
we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known
forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back
much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed,
your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved,
to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs
this world of strife,
We'll have yet another pup
and love him all his life.
~ author unknown
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