Until
one has loved an animal,
a
part of one's soul remains unawakened.
(Anatole
France)
Tom has sent the following illustrated masterful messages for us to
peruse. Dogs are so loyal that they love us no matter what we do.
But, if we want to provide the best life possible to these wonderful
animals, we have to remember that they have complex thoughts and
feelings, too...for us to decipher.
Illustration of dark-haired, medium-size dog sitting and waiting at
front door peering upwards toward the oval window set within it; his
posture is erect and tail straight out behind him...anticipating!
Don't be upset when
I jump for joy when you come through the door!
I
only live for 10 or 15 years. You are what makes that time
enjoyable. It's hard on me when you leave.
Illustration of a beagle looking very inquiringly at you; with long
ears and soulful eyes, he says:
Give me time to
understand what you want from me!
I
don't always get it right on the first try, but I promise I'm trying
as hard as I can.
Illustration: A happy-faced Siberian Husky, tail curled over his
back, befriends a hugging little girl.
Give me your trust!
Just
like I trust you, I need you to trust me, too.
Illustration: A pleading puppy-face with long ears and sad, yet with
anxious eyes speaks,
Don't be angry with
me for too long.
And please don't
lock me up to punish me!
You
have your friends and family to keep you happy and entertained. I
just have you.
Illustration: A dog sits outside on snow-covered yard....patiently
waiting ...brrrr, it's cold out here.
Take me inside when
the weather gets bad!
The
backyard doesn't have air-conditioning or a heater. You don't have to
let me on the couch; but a small part of the kitchen is much better
than sleeping in the chilly snow.
Illustration: Dog language with front paws stretched out on the
carpet with nose between them, advises:
Talk to me!
Sure,
we don't speak the same language, but the sound of your voice
brightens my whole day.
Illustration: Poor little fluffy white dog with black ears and snub
nose is trembling with fear.
Comfort me when I'm
scared!
You
know a lot more about loud noises, strange people and new places than
I do. I need to know that you'll protect me from them. I always feel
safer when I'm with you.
Illustration: A young woman cuddles her dog with arm around him,
hand beneath his chin, face to face.
Remember that I'll
never forget how you treat me!
Teach
me that humans are made of love, not pain. And don't ever let me
forget it.
Illustration: A German Shepherd with alert ears walks with a 3-year
old girl holding a loose leash
Come outside with
me!
The
sights, sounds and scents of nature are some of my greatest pleasures
in life. I don't care if we play, go for a walk or just sit under a
tree together...I want you to experience them with me.
Illustration: A “Bowser the Hound” face touches noses with a
black/white striped kitten.
Let me make new
friends!
Introduce
me to other dogs, cats or even bigger animals. We might not get along
in the end, but having some more friends that look and smell like me
makes my life that much brighter.
Illustration: A Pekinese dog sits on a table chair eying the
delicious-looking food tidbits on a plate.
Give me a treat
every once in a while!
Food
is one of my greatest pleasures in life. I know you want me to be
healthy...so I understand when you don't share your own meals with
me. But giving me a dog biscuit when I've been good or mixing tasty
vegetables mixed with my dinner is guaranteed to make me wag my tail
extra hard.
Illustration: A doberman wearing collar licks master's face with long
pink tongue.
Please don't hit me!
I
have teeth that can crush bone. Instead, I cover you in sloppy wet
kisses. Just as I choose not to hurt you...please make the choice to
not hurt me.
Illustration: Medium-sized dog sits on boat pier gazing over quiet
water with far trees mirrored in it.
Understand when I
need my alone time!
I
love you more than anything, but even though it's rare, I don't
always want to play or cuddle. Don't be sad if I'd rather sleep on
the cold tile floor instead of in your bed on hot summer nights. And
be understanding if I don't want to play as much as the years go on.
Illustration: Doggie rides in car with a partially opened
window...en route to somewhere else.
Show me your world!
The
house and yard might be the only places I ever see unless you come
with you...a trip to the pet shop, the park..or even just a ride in
the car is exhilarating. I can't wait to see what you'll show me.
Illustration: Greyhound, sitting alert eying 5 cookies on his nose,
waits for command to bump them up and catch in his mouth. He's
house-dressed with gingham tie which is bowed at the front.
Teach me new things!
Learning
new tricks keeps my mind active, but most of all, it gives me a way
to impress you. For your friends, I love showing off...looking up at
you and seeing how proud of me you are.
Illustration: A chocolate-brown Labrador is having “a ball playing
like a pig in mud”...eyes aglow with dog-joy.
Let me get dirty once in a while!
Your
world is inside, but I thrive outdoors; sometimes I find a lot of mud
or a lake that smells like all of its fishy inhabitants. I
understand if you don't want to wash all that stuff off every day,
but as long as it's safe, let me go back to my wild roots every now
and then.
Illustration: Golden Lab puppy sits on a dock bench with his master
hugging him...beside lake water.
Touch Me!
Nothing
makes me feel more loved than when you take time out of your day to
rub my ears or scratch that itchy spot on my back that I can't reach.
I can't understand your words, but I definitely understand the
feelings behind a hug.
Illustration: A photo shot of a young dog's head resting on
pillow...eyes sad and droopy ears.
Pay attention if I
don't seem like myself!
It
might seem like I'm just being lazy or stubborn, but I might not be
feeling well. I can't get help for myself...and I need you to look
out for me and care for me.
Illustration: Man with long hair elastic-tied in a ponytail is in
softly rippling water. He holds his beloved Siberian Husky in front
allowing its body to float peacefully in this serene lake.
Love me when I'm old
just as much as you did when I was young!
I
might not be the cute puppy that I once was...but I still love you
just as much as I did then. Please take care of me when my body
doesn't work like it used to.
Illustration:
Military personnel salute as “Husky member” is carried to his
resting place: Dog
Heaven.
Come with me...on my
final journey!
I
know it will be difficult, but I need you by my side when the time
comes for me to leave this world. Every moment down to my last
breath is easier if I have you with me.
* * * * * * * * * *
Readers...unknown to me just how you feel, but I was in tears as I
viewed and read the last couple “conversations” from the man's
beloved Husky to his Master...and the sentiments of love he displayed
for his pet. We had two Siberian Huskies (Kiska and Sabrina) at home
when my children were in school and university...so I related
extremely well to the scenario of “Family Pets”.
Pearl of Wisdom
If
having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty
and
gratitude...then animals are better off than a lot of humans.
(James
Herriot)
Merle
Baird-Kerr...written May 27, 2014
Comments appreciated...e-mail to:
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