Dog Ten Commandments

[Pam]

I ran across the following at a Dog Rescue Site. It is for anyone considering adopting a dog, but not necessarily just rescue dogs. It brought tears to my eyes. Hope you all enjoy it.

DOG TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.

4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.

5. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you!

6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I do not understand your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.

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

8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but that I choose not to bite you because I love you.

9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting old or week.

10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch it", or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death. Remember, I love you.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Here's another tear-jerker for everyone. This one is good for those who have had adopted or are considering adopting dogs.

Prayer of a Stray
-----------------

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 God; and 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 Oh so afraid; that I'll never grow old

They've chased me with sticks; hit me with stones
While I run the streets; just looking for bones
I'm not really bad God; please help if you can
For I have become just another; "victim of man!"

I'm wormy dear God; and I'm ridden with fleas
and all that I ever wanted; was an owner to please
If you find one for me God; I'll try to be good
I won't chew their shoes; and I'll do as I should

I'll love them; protect them; and try to obey
When they tell me to sit; to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it; too long on my own
Cause I'm getting so weak; and I'm Oh so alone

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry
Cause I'm so afraid God; that I'm gonna die
I've got so much love; and devotion to give
That I should be given; a new chance to live

So dear God please; oh please; answer my prayer
and send me to somebody; who will really care
That is dear God; if You're really there!

John Quealy

[teena]

Wow! What a way to start the day! I read these 2 things and started thinking about my aussie and her rescue and started bawling. Would love to share her story with you guys - it's rather long. Let me know if you'd be willing to read a very sad story w/a happy ending.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Hi Teena,

I too have an aussie with a very sad past, but a happy life now. He's an aussie mix but he's mostly aussie. I would LOVE to hear your aussie's story...I am sure many of people would love to as well

[teena]

Ok, here goes. About 2 years ago my hubby and I were walking our 2 rescue dogs in our neighborhood. There was a new house going up so we decided to walk thru it. When we get in we hear growling. We looked further and found this pitiful dog baring her teeth at us, laying on a pile of construction garbage. We took the other 2 dogs home and went back. She was a little calmer then and we were able to get close to her. She was so thin and matted she could hardly walk. My hubby carried her to our house and discovered that she was a recent mama dog. My hubby then went back to the house looking for pups, which he didn't find. I took her out in the yard and started cutting mats so she could stand up and found that she was COVERED with foxtails that were imbedded in her skin. I pulled out at least 100 and then gave her a bath. When we were drying her off, we found a HUGE abcess under her front leg (armpit area) that had burst. The next day I took her to the vet in our small town, got her shots and he looked at her abcess and prescribed Panalog ointment. We decided that we needed to find a home for her because our town only allows 2 dogs without a kennel license. A rancher in our area said he'd take her. I took the dog to the ranch (about 15 miles from our house) and the rancher didn't seem to care one way or another about her. I left him with the ointment and instructions on how to care for her wound. On my way home, all I did was cry. I went and found my husband at work and told him I just didn't feel right about leaving her there. His words (which I will never forget, and remind me why I love him so)were: "Go get her and bring her home." I got back to the ranch and believe it or not, he had locked her in a horse trailer full of crap and left! We live in the desert and it was probably 110 degrees outside and he had left no food or water for her. I don't know what made me look in that trailer, but I found her, put her in the car and took her home. The abcess kept getting worse so I took her to another vet and he performed emergency surgery on her because the infection was so bad. He found a tiny foxtail had travelled through her body and created a terrible infection. He was surprised she was still alive. He put 4 drain tubes in her and I got to bring her home the next day. To this day, this dog is absolutely the most loyal, loving, devoted dog I have ever had. I nearly cry when I look at her, thinking of all she's been through, but am pleased that she now lives the life of a spoiled princess. My only wish is that I could find the person who cast her away like so much garbage. My hats off to my fellow animal lovers who realize the special bond between a dog and its human!

[karen israel]

Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! What a beautiful, touching, sad/happy story! I just LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! My tears turned to smiles ! I think I love your husband too, if that's ok???!!!! Did you have to get a kennel licsence??? Did you lock up the farmer in the horse trailer full of doo doo??? With no food or water? In the 110 degree heat?? Should have! And thrown away the key! Lucky pooch! Yay for you! Thanks for sharing!

[AdoreMyDogs]

Teena,

You have a big heart, I am so delighted to hear that story with a happy ending. It is hard to read about such pain, animals really go through alot of pain for us people, that's for sure. It's so heartless that anyone could harm any animal, in any way. It hurts my heart to think about it. I, too, look at my aussie, who is the most amazing dog that I have ever met, and see the gratitude in his eyes. He's my angel, he has such a beautiful soul, he adores me and will do ANYTHING for me. He'd jump off a cliff if I asked him. He is very sensetive, I can see that his feelings get hurt if he does not feel that he has made me happy. When we go to the lake every few days, and I throw a stick in the water, if he happens to not be able to find that stick (for instance) he will come back to me afraid that I will be angry or dissapointed at him. He still has scars of being beaten before I fell head-over-heals in love with him and adopted him. I have to have an "emergency backup stick" when I throw him sticks into the water just in case he can't find the original stick, so he does not feel that he "let me down". He has never let me down but he's so sensetive and his scars of past abuse may never leave him.

My aussie and I are so close, I swear I can read his feelings and thoughts, and he can read mine. We are so connected. I am completely honest when I tell you that I know when something hurts his feelings or when he does not like something and he knows when I am not "right", it's extrodinary our bond. And to think that someone beat this angel of mine. I cry often, like right now for instance, when I think of anyone beating my dog. It's amazing the bond of love that and owner and a dog can share. And how bland some lives would be without a furangel to share with it with.

Jeez...I do tend to babble! Someone shut me up! I guess I could go on and on when talking about my Golden Graham (my aussies name)but I'll stop here

Thanks for sharing your rescue story, and listening to me babble about mine.

[teena]

Karen:
To answer your questions: Yes, you can love my hubby! He is a wonderful caring man. He'd have to be what with me bringing home strays all the time. And no, we never did get a kennel license. We lived with 3 for another one and a half years before I had to put down my terrier mix. Never saw the rancher again (he never called either!) but would have loved to lock HIM in the trailer with no food or water, and see him covered with crap! Forgot to mention, we named her Annie (like Little Orphan Annie).

[Pam]

Teena your story was so hard to read until I got to the happy ending. I can't tell you how happy I am for you and Annie and your husband that it worked out the way it did. Thank God that your husband told you to go back. I would like to nominate Annie for Dog of the Day. I'm sure many others second this nomination!! Please give her a big hug and apologize to her for the heartless actions of one person who is less than a human being if you ask me! At least she finally has learned that there are loving humans in this world too!!!

[RachelJ]

Teena, God bless you and your husband. Yes, I second the motion for Annie as Dog of the Day. She sure deserves it. I think this site should also have a "Guardian of the Day" section and I would nominate you and your husband as the first recipients of the honor. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. I am so blessed by hearing about it.

AdoreMyDogs, your posts are not only welcome, but very deeply appreciated as well.

[teena]

Thanks everyone! It was a long haul with her, but would do it again in a skinny minute. There is nothing like seeing that unconditional love and adoration from her (and my other rescued baby!). It is certainly nice to talk w/others who share my passion (obsession?)

[teena]

Forgot to put in my last post: will try and get a picture of my two "kids" and submit for pet of the day.

[lhg0962]

Teena,
I sure am glad you forewarned that the story had a happy ending! What a blessing Annie is for you. You and your dear husband were just put in the right place at the right time. I'm lucky that my recent rescue of "Dexter" had a better ending. I couldn't keep him as my hands are full with the two I have, but he has a wonderful home and lots of love and attention. I'm checking in on him regularly too!
Thanks for a wonderful ending to what could have been a horrible story.
Logan

[lhg0962]

Oops! I just re-read my post and realized I said something the wrong way. I meant to say that what I know of Dexter's life before me and his new owner was not quite as sad as that of Annie. He didn't have to endure nearly what she did before landing in a loving home. Dexter just walked up to my house, hungry and thirsty, and starving for some love. Boy, did he pick the right place to come. Annie's ending is wonderful!

[teena]

Logan:
Was so happy to hear about Dexter's new home. I wish all unwanted pets could be so lucky as ours. As a matter of fact, I hope that when I go the bridge, I can come back and be treated as well as all of our pets.