DOGGIE POEMS AND QUOTES

I awake.... But I do not remember falling asleep.
• • •
Just a moment ago, my buddy threw the ball
And I chased it with all my puppy concentration;
Timing each bounce in the grass to catch it
At just the right moment.
Did I feel the front yard's grass turn to stone?
Did I hear a screaming sound?
Perhaps I did. Perhaps I dreamt.
The fresh tang of dewy grass teases my nose.
The warm sun warms me. I open my eyes.
Many new friends gather around me.
They show me what to eat, where to drink.
We play and sleep, near the bridge of many colors.
This is wonderful...but it is not perfect.
I awake.... Only a moment ago I fell asleep....
Deep asleep...lying in my buddy's arms.
I remember the pain in his eyes,
And the pain in my body, slowly ebbing.

So many years I played at his feet,
Slept by his side, sat watching at his windows.
Slowly I moved less, jumped less, ate less, saw less.
He loved me, carefully caressing me,
Making soft soothing sounds.
But the pain is gone; The blades of grass tickle my nose.
I open my eyes and find new friends gathered around me.
My legs are like springs. Butterflies play tag.
I am fed, and we play near the many-colored bridge.
It is wonderful....but it is not perfect.
I awake.... When I fell asleep moments ago,
I thought all was finished. But now I see
Sunshine streaming throught the leaves above.
All the pains and aches of my long life
Are dimmest memories.
I lift my hand before my eyes.
I see it clearly, soft and smooth,
As it has not been in years. I rise.
My legs are strong again, my toes against
The cool grass. My ears hear birdsong.
The freshness of dawn floods my senses.
I move easily, drawn to a bridge nearby,
Arching gracefully into the distance.
This is wonderful....but it is not perfect.
I approach the bridge, and turn to gaze
Into the fields nearby. I see happy creatures,
Sitting, playing and sleeping.
But my eyes are drawn to two joyous beings,
Running at their fullest speed.
They seem familiar. Can they be the
Animals that I knew before?
THEY ARE!!
I kneel down,
They rush into my arms, wetting my face
With joyous kisses and tears!
We stand.
We move together
Across The Rainbow Bridge.
(author unknown)

LET ME TELL YOU WHY
YOU ASK DEAR SIR WHY I WANT THIS PUP
IT'S JUST A PET I'D BUY?
HE'S A DOBIE, I REPLIED,
GOT A MINUTE AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.
YOU SEE, SIX YEARS AGO I TOOK A DRIVE,
DOWN TO A COUNTRY PARK.
I SAW A DOG WITH SADDENED EYES
AND A COAT THAT WAS QUITE DARK.
HIS HEAD WAS HUGE WITH ALMOND EYES,
HIS TAIL WAS JUST A STUMP.
HIS FEET WERE TANNED, SO WAS HIS CHEST
AND A STAR WAS ON HIS RUMP.
AS I APPROACHED HE SEEMED TO KNOW
TO HIM I MEANT NO HARM,
FOR HIS STUMP DID TWITCH AND HIS HEAD WENT DOWN
WHILE I POURED ON THE CHARM.
WHEN I GOT CLOSE, I FELT A SCAR
THAT RAN RIGHT DOWN HIS SIDE,
THAT THIS GREAT DOG HAD BEEN ABUSED
WAS A FACT YOU COULD NOT HIDE.
I COAXED AND COOED AND COAXED SOME MORE,
'TIL I GOT HIM IN THE CAR.
I WAS GOING TO TAKE HIM HOME WITH ME
FOR I DIDN'T LIVE TOO FAR.
A DOBERMAN, I LATER LEARNED,
WAS THE NAME I HEARD THEM SAY.
SIX YEARS OF LOVE HE SHARED WITH ME...
THEN GOD TOOK HIM AWAY.
I'LL NOT FORGET THIS FRIEND OF MINE,
I FOUND SO LONG AGO.
MY HEART STILL BREAKS, THE TEARS STILL FLOW,
AND O'GOD I MISS HIM SO.
SO IF YOU LET ME BUY THIS PUP,
MY WORD I GIVE TO YOU,
A BETTER FRIEND HE'LL NEVER KNOW
AND AN EMPTY HEART WILL BE ANEW.
jan cooper 1991

 

"What is man without beasts?
If all the beasts were gone, man would die a great loneliness of spirit.
For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man.
All things are connected"
--Chief Seattle--in a letter to President Franklin Pierce, 1854

The earth trembled and a great rift appeared, separating the first man
and woman from the rest of the animal kingdom.  As the chasm grew deeper
and wider, all the other creatures, afraid for their lives, returned to
the forest -- except for the dog, who after much consideration leapt the
perilous rift to stay with the humans on the other side.  His love for
humanity was greater than his bond to other creatures, he explained, and
he willingly forfeited his place in paradise to prove it.
--Native American folktale...an Ojibway tale.

Legend has it that soon after Creation, the earth was torn in two.
Man was on one side of the chasm, all the animals on the other.
Only the dog tried to find a way across to join the man.
He tried to jump the huge abyss
but only his forepaws reached the far edge.
Man reached down and pulled him to safety, saying,
"You shall be my companion forever."

So spake the Lord
God summoned a beast from the field and said,
"Behold, man is created in my image.  Therefore adore him.
You shall protect in the wilderness,
shepherd his flocks, watch over his children,
accompany him wherever he may go ~even into civilization.
You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave.
To do these things, God said,
I endow you with instincts uncommon to other beasts:
Faithfulness, Devotion and
Understanding surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your courage,
you shall never foresee your death.
Lest it impair your loyalty,
you shall be blind to the faults of man.
Lest it impair your understanding,
you are denied the power of words.
Speak to your master only with your mind
and through your honest eyes.
Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway;
forage for him; ward off his enemies;
carry his burden; share his afflictions,
love and comfort him.
And in return for this,
man will fulfill your needs and wants ~
which shall be only food, shelter and affection.
So be silent and be a friend to man.
Guide him through the perils along the
way to this land I have promised him.
This shall be your destiny and your immortality.
So spake the Lord.  And the dog heard, and was content.

WHEN DOG IS SPELLED BACKWARDS, IT SPELLS "GOD".
The Dog's Cold Nose
by Arthur Guiterman
When Noah, perceiving 'twas time to embark,
Persuaded the creatures to enter the Ark,
The dog, with a friendliness truly sublime,
Assisted in herding them two at a time.
He drove in the elephants, zebras and gnus
Until they were packed like a box full of screws,
The cat in the cupboard, the mouse on the shelf,
The bug in the crack; then he backed in himself.
But such was the lack of available space
He couldn't tuck all of him into the place;
So after the waters had flooded the plain
And down from the heavens fell blankets of rain
He stood with his muzzle thrust out through the door
The whole forty days of that terrible pour!
Because of which drenching, zoologists hold,
The nose of a healthy dog always is cold!

"Qui me amat, amat et canem meam" - St. Bernard
        (He who loves me, loves my dog as well)

"A DOG'S BEST FRIEND"
O Lord, don't let me once forget,
How I love my trusty pet -
Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard.
Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa's muddy.
Don't allow my pooch to munch
postal carriers for lunch.
Shield my neighbor's cat from view,
guide my steps around the doo.
Train me not to curse and scowl
when it's puppy's night to howl.
Grant I shan't awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear.
Give me patience without end -
Help me be "A DOG'S BEST FRIEND."

Money will buy a pretty good dog
but it won't buy the wag of his tail.    -Henry Wheeler Shaw

DOGS KNOW
Dogs know, if men do not, that dogs and men are close, perhaps too much
sometimes, and they do not prattle of their deep wisdom, but it's the
truth and what they have to know.  Truth and what they give.  Even if
they do not wish, they must, and follow at a heel,  and haunt a
doorstep, and cry when we are gone, or roll in the dust.  To entertain
us, yielding up a paw into a hand.  They whine because the throat cannot
articulate, and even plead for man's forgiving on an anguished note,
when the legs cannot move fast enough, or faults of clumsiness and
frolic seem to raise human wrath.  O, we are given much by these little
beasts who aggravate our days with their absurdities and ignorance,
their jealous faithfulness, their eyes that tell as if man were stripped
to bone, had nothing more, and found bare.  He still would find his dog
beside him there, to give him comfort, and to tell him then, how good
and splendid is the race of men.  Perhaps the only error and the lie,
DOG'S TELL TO MEN.  Author unknown

"Dogs.  They are better than human beings
because they know but they do not tell." E.  Dickinson

How much do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.
Thoughts To Think While Holding the Cutest Puppy In The World
And Wondering Whether You Should Get Involved...
Will I love you when you puddle for nineteen continuous days
On that gorgeous indian blanket that my friends have all admired?
Will I love you when I find you on my pillow when you're tired?
Will I love your muddy pawprints when you chase a butterfly
From the garden through the kitchen when the floor isn't dry?
Will I love you when you're shedding and all day I vacuum hair?
When in digging you demolish ten begonias raised with care?
Will I love you just past midnight when I let you out and then
I let you in then let you out then let you in again?
Will I love you when you lunch on a twenty dollar shoe?
(True you didn't touch the other, but I sort of need two)
The day you eat the birthday cake, will I forgive and forget?
Oh, how much will I love you as I go to pay the vet for binding up
With tenderness that nasty little gash you got
While decorating the lawn with all our trash?
Will I love you when your're sandy, dripping water from the beach
As I chase you across the carpet and you stay just out of reach?
At these times let me remember how cute you look today
And sigh and tell myself...I love you, ANY way!
Laurie Shrode,  Timberline goldens

"The plain fact that my dog loves me more than I love her is undeniable
and always fills me with a certain amount of shame." - Konrad Lorenz

"A dog is the only thing on this earth
that loves you more than he loves himself."
---Josh Billings,1818-1865,American humorist

TenFavorsaDogAsksFroma Man
1)My life lasts between ten to fifteen years. Every separation from
you means suffering for me. Think about this before you decide whether
or not to take me!
2) Give me time to understand what you are asking from me.
3) In still confidence in me- I thrive on it!
4) Do not be angry with me for a long time and do not lock me up for
punishment! You have your work,your pleasure,your joy-I have only
you.
5)Talk often to me! Even if I do not understand you completely,I do
understand the tone of your voice when you talk to me.
6) Knowthat,no matter howI am being treated,I shall never forget
it!
7) Keep in mind,before you hit me, that my jawscould crush the
knucklesofyour hand with ease,but that I do not make use of them.
8) Before you scold me when working with me,consider:perhapsI am
uncomfortable from digesting my last meal;
perhaps I was exposed to  the  sun too long;or perhaps I have a worn out
heart.
9) Take care of me when I am old--you too are going to be old one
day.
10)Be with me when my going gets rough. Everything is easier forme
when you are beside me.

My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
it comes from the love in my dogs eyes.

PUPPYTAIL(byIvyHawkins)
"Suddenly it's there again,
I see it with myeye,
I turn tograb,butit's not there...
then it's there again,behind.
Must be quicker next time,
Take itby surprise,
Iturn again,but it'sgoneagain
and it'sthereagain,behind.
Faster and faster round I go
and then I feel a pain,
I must remember when it's there again,
that it's part of me,behind."

PuppiesForSale
     A store owner was tacking a sign above his door
that read
"PuppiesForSale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small
children,and sure enough,a little boy appeared under the storeowner's
sign."How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.The
store  owner replied,"Any where from $30to$50."
     The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change.
"I have$2.37,"hesaid. "Can I please look at them?"
     The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came
Lady,who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny,tiny
balls of fur.One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately
the little boy singled out the lagging,limping puppy and said,"What's
wrong with that little dog?"
The store owner explained that the veterinairan had examined the little
puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always
limp.It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That
is the little puppy that I want to buy."
     The store owner said,"No,youdon't want to buy that little
dog.If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
     The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the
storeowner's eyes,pointing his finger,and said,"Idon't want you
to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the
other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact,I''ll give you $2.37 now,
and 50cents a month until I have him paid for."
     The storeowner countered, "You really don't want to buy this
little dog.He is nevergoing tobeable to run and jump and play with
you like the other puppies."
    To this,the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to
reveal a badly twisted,crippled left leg supported by a big metal
brace.He looked up at the store owner and softly replied,"Well,I
don't run so well myself ,and the little puppy will need someone who
understands!"

THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM A  DOG
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride!
Allow the experience of fresh air &
the wind in your face to be pure ecstacyWhen love ones come home always greet them
When it is in your best interest practice obedience
Let other's know when they are invading your territory
Take naps and stretch when rising
Run,romp & play daily.
Eat with gusto & enthusiasm.
Be Loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried,dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day,be silent,
sit close by& nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention& let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days,drink lots of water& lay under a shady tree.
When you're happy,dance around & wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded,
don't buy into the guilt thing & pout...
run right back & make friends.
Bond with your pack.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion and pity,you will have men
who will deal like wise with their fellowmen..."
St.FrancisofAssisi

A DOG'S BILL OF RIGHTS
1. I have the right to give and receive unconditional love.
2. I have the right to a life that is beyond mere survival.
3. I have the right to be trained
so that I do not become the prisoner of my misbehavior.
4. I have the right to adequate food and medical care.
5. I have the right to fresh airand green grass.
6. I have the right to socialize with people
and dogs outside my own family.
7. I have the right to special time with my people.
8. I have the right to be bred responsibly,ifat all.
9. I have the right to be foolish and silly,
and to make my person laugh.
10.I have the right to earn my person's trust
and to be trusted in return.
11.I have the right to be forgiven.
12.I have the right to die with dignity.
13.I have the right to be remembered well.

A Dog Sits Waiting
A  dog sits  waiting in the cold autumn sun--
too faithful to leave,too frightened to run.
He'sbeen there for days now
with nothing to do but sit by the road,waiting for you.
Hecan't understand why you left him that day;
he thought you and he were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back,and that'swhy he stays--
how long will he suffer?How many more days?
His legs have grown weak,his throat's parched and dry;
he's sick now from hunger and he falls,with a sigh.
He lays down his head,and he closes his eyes--
I*wish* you could see how a waiting dog dies!
ByKathyFlood

A Prayer For Animals
Albert Schweitzer
Hear our humble prayer,O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost ordeserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We treat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us,ourselves,to be true friends to animals
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

A Eulogy to a Dog.

 We all know that dogs have special qualities which make them unique among all creatures on this earth.

"Dogs. ..do not ruin their sleep worrying about
how to keep the objectst heyhave,
and to obtain the objects they have not.
There is nothing of value they have to bequeath
except their love and their faith."- EugeneO'Neill

Do I Go Home Today?
bySandi Thompson,Sirius Puppy Training,1991
My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me,and said I was full
ofcharm.
They played with me and laughed with me
they showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family
especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me,
they gave me special treats.
They even let m esleep with them--
all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks,often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash,I'm very proud to say.
They used to laug hand praise me,when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference
between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag,for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control,
and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped,one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things,
I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely,
in the backyard,on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long,
to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter,
but were embarassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy,
and then kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes,as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle
when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left,"I heard the worker say.
Does this mean a second chance?Do I go home today?

"IAmFamousNow"
byCynethia
I was born today.One of 10.My daddy was very famous.
I have lots of
half brothers and sisters.My mother is very famous. Since she got famous,she has only had puppies.
 No more loving hands,no more fun
trips just puppies.She is always sad when they leave her. I left home today.
I didn't want to go,so I hid behind my mama
and my three littermates that were left.
 I didn't likeYou.But one day,they said i would be famous.
I wonder,is famous the same as fun
and goodtimes?So You picked me up and
carried me away,even though you
were concerned about me hiding from You.
I don't think You liked me.
My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says:BE BRAVE.
Myancestors were.Did they go to good homes like mine?
I'm hungry because I can't eat too much,because it will be bad for my bones.
I can'tbite or snap when the children are mean to me.
I just run and play and pretend that I'm in a big green field with butterflies
and robins and frogs.
I can'tunderstand why they kickme. I am quiet,
but the ma nhits and says loud things. The lady dosen't feed me good
things like I had with my mother.
She just throws dry food on the
ground,then goes away before I can get too close for touching and petting.
Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it any way.
Today I had 10 puppies.They are so
wonderful and warm.
Am I famous now?
I wish I could play with them,but they are so tiny.
I amso
young and playful that it's hard to lay here
in this hole under the house
nursing my puppies.
They are crying now. I am so hungry I
scratch and worry my fur.
I wish somebody would throw me some food.
Iam also very thirsty.
Two got cold during the night and I couldn't
make them warm again. They are gone.   We all are very weak.Maybe if
I take them out on the porch,
we can get some food.
Today they took us away.  It was too much trouble to feed us,and
someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my puppies,they were
crying and whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it.
Are my babies famous now?
I hope so,because I miss them.They are gone.
The place smelled of urine, fear and sickness.
Why was I  here?
I was
beautiful,like my ancestors.
Now I am hungry,dirty,in pain and unwanted.
No one came though I tried to be good.
Today someone came.They put a rope on my neck,and led me to a room
that was very clean and had a shiny table.
They put me on the table.Someone held me and hugged me.
It felt so good!
Then I felt tired and laid over the last one who cared.
I am famous now.Today someone cared!

ONLY A DOG --  by Marty Hale
"He left no relatives," they said, "He didn't have a friend
Who knew about his sorry plight --Was with him at the end!" . . .
And so they raked the stove fires out, And closed the old shack door,
For grouchy, crusty old Tom Dare Would open it no more.
Then each went to his own home-fires, Forgot the lonely shack,
And not a soul was near to see,  An old form stumble back
And crouch, sad-eyed, beside the door, His bony length stretched flat.
He waited for his master's voice, His friendly little pat.
Days had been lean for Old Tom Dare, Not food enough for two --
But Old Tom whispered to his dog, "I'll share along with you,
Since Jennie went away from usn There's been no one to care --
No one but you to give a thought, for lonely old Tom Dare."
And so the two of them had shared, If it be feast, or fast,
That morning Rover had a bone -- It was their very last,
And there was nothing left for Tom -- It didn't matter so,
Because he lay upon his bed, And knew that he must Go.
The careless villagers passed by, As they were pleasure-bound,
But none of them took time to see,  The faithful, hungry hound.
Too tired and true to leave his post, He stayed there to the End...
And folks had said of Old Tom Dare, "He didn't have a friend!"
The days have passed, but no one stops, Of all that come and go,
Old Rover lies beside the door, Half-hidden in the snow . . .
I know that Old Tom had a friend, A loyal friend, because--
Today I found Old Rover dead, The bone between his paws.

A CRY FROM A LONELY DOG
I wish someone would tell me, What it is that I've done wrong.
Why do I have to stay chained up, And be left alone so long?
They seemed glad to have me, When I came here as a pup.
There were many things we'd do, When I was growing up.
The master said he'd train me, As a companion and a friend.
The mistress said she'd never fear, To be alone again.
The children said they'd feed me, And brush me every day.
They'd play with me and walk me, if only I could stay.
But now the master "hasn't time", The mistress says I shed
she doesn't want me in the house, not even to be fed.
The children never walk me, They always say: "Not now".
I wish that I could please them, Won't someone tell me how?
All I had you see is love, I wish they would explain.
Why they said they wanted mine, and left it on a chain?

The Starfish
One child came upon another child on the beach one day.
The second child was walking along, looking down,
then every few feet would bend down, pick somehting up
out of the sand, and toss it into the ocean.
The first child asked what kind of game this was.
The second child replied, "I'm saving starfish."
The first child was incredulous. "Are you kidding?
There are too many!   What are you going to do?
Spend all day and all night out here,
tossing starfish back into the ocean?
You'll never save them all.
And anyway, in the grand scheme of life,
they're just starfish.
It does'nt matter if they live or die."
The second child scooped another starfish up from the sand,
considered it briefly, then hurled it into the ocean.
"It mattered to that one."
* Author Unknown *

"
 

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