HI All,<BR> After Dylan's close call I thought I'd share this with those of you that haven't seen it. When I come home, ONLY my faithful dog is here. This is true for a lot of us at the present.....<BR> <BR> It accured to me that my DOG, has kept the vows better than my WS!!!! (WE bought him on our honeymoon!!) <BR> A dog doesn't care, if you're rich or poor, smart or dumb, old or young, in sickness or in health and it love honors and cherishs you "TILL DEATH DO YOU PART" <P> SOMETIMES The more people I meet, the more I love my DOG!!! <P>Well, I hope you will think of this when you are a little "Put out" by your dogs!! <BR> <BR>A DOG'S PRAYER <BR>By<BR>Beth Norman Harris <P><BR>Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. <P>Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do. <P>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 footstep falls upon my waiting ear. <P>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 sittng at your feet beside the hearth...though had you no home, I would rather follow you through 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 devoted worshipper. <P>Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger. <P>And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you or make valiant efforts to save me, I'm not having any fun. <BR> Rather hold me gently in your 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 always safest in your hands. <P>

Yep,my dog is one of the few things that has kept me sane through this whole mess.It's nice to know you can get unconditional love from from somebody!<BR> --Murph

I love my dogs. <P>My dogs are my "children".<P>Jill

Oh, I wish I was at work, because Bo's shrine is there with the BEST poem... this is lovely Frank, and it is sooooooooooo true! I can't imagine my life without my cats and dogs... the loyal friends who never disappoint me - oh wait, those damn cats can sure be snotty though but I adore them!! I am a BIG DOG person, and my girls are bruisers... great danes and akitas (sp?)... I've had four great danes in my life, the gentle giants... ah, I love them and hope to romp with them in heaven one day!<P>Take care and thanks again!!<P>Love ya Frank, Sheryl

thank you.<P><BR>Dylan<P>------------------<BR>"The journey into darkness has been long and cruel, and you have gone deep into it."<BR>~ A Course in Miracles

So true, I just love my Oreo. She may be ugly, but she has the best personality and she loves me no matter what. <P>

I know that for my W, one of the hardest things about our separation was not living with the dogs. When I didn't have our S, I at least got to come home to two dogs who were almost annoyingly happy to see me. When she was alone, she was all alone.<P>In addition to the guilt she already feels, add the fact that she wasn't there for Sasha when she died. Jill, my W is the same way, it's like her daughter died. For mothers day I got her the standard card from the dogs (including Sasha), and I scanned a bunch of pictures of Sasha and created a photo collage and gave it to her. Needless to say, she was very moved.<P>Our other dog, Lennie, (an Akita mix, big and strong!) moped around the house for a couple of weeks. Then my W picked up a stray on the freeway. No tags, no nothing, no luck finding her owner. So, now I have two dogs again, and they're happy together.<P>It's good to know that they will be there when I get home.<P>Steve

Thank you for posting the prayer... Even if it made me cry .<P>My X got "custody" of the babies because I couldn't afford a place that allowed them. I miss them so much, and it is so lonely to come home to an empty house. I made a promise to them & myself that as soon as I could find a place that would allow me to have them, I would at least share custody of them. <P>I (we) named our three babies after my three favorite vices.... Cuervo (she was born the day we got married-- will be 6 on Sunday), Cocoa (my cuddle baby who is no longer with us), and Casino, the "wild child" of the bunch. <P>I think the hardes thing for me is that I'm not welcome to go and see them whenever I want to... but I know they remember me when I do get a chance to see them. <P>Thoughts & Prayers<BR>Butterfly<P>------------------<BR>There are deep sorrows and killing cares in life, but the encouragement and love of friends were given us to make all difficulties bearable. <BR>-- John Oliver Holmes<P>The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.<BR>-- Elie Wiesel<P><BR>

Don't know what I'd do without my little cocker spaniel Simone - She has been my constant through this whole mess, and she loves me unconditionally! It's the only thing I have left that he hasn't turned on it's ear!<BR>Sooney

Thanks for such a cool prayer. My two big, black labs (Samson and Delilah) are the joy in my day. I can't even get out of my car when I get home from work cause they jump all over me! <P>And my cat (Earl Gray) is the joy in my evening. He's a major field cat, but wants to come in each night and cuddle on the couch. I'm actually "training" him...he knows "no" and "ball" (his eyes get big... :eek and "let go" (when he love-bites my hand). He is so cool.<P>So glad I live on 15 acres and they have plenty of room to run!<P>Thanks again. I love those guys!<BR>Mrs. O