OT: A Pet's 10 Commandments

For all you animal lovers out there . . . Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you...

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

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

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don 't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

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

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don 't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs*!
*In memory of Ginger, the 3-legged wonder dog. Rest in peace, Sugar Girl!

Ok..I was fine 'til no. 10.  Now I'm crying like an idiot at the thought of taking my babies to the vet for the very last time.  My girls are my life :)

#10 did me in too.  See below!

Man, Bette.  Way to lay a guilt trip on me about that poor little doggie at home.....

Oh, wait.  She is in air conditioning, lying on the couch with a full bowl of food and water.  Sometimes she even turns on the TV if she lays on the remote, and I come home to find her watching Jerry Springer.  Not a bad life..... 


But seriously, thanks for the reminder.

# 10 did me it too.  I remember MY Missy Girl.  Rest in peace my beloved little one.  I was there to help you and I know she appriciated it because before she took her last breath, her tail waged.

 

My red dobie Apollo went to heaven a few years ago...YES animals go to heaven. He had a stroke and we were lucky enough to find a Vet who did house calls. He died on the floor in the living room, without the added stress of having to go to the dr. office.  We also have a local Pet crematorium. They picked him up after we were done saying good bye. And I am tearing up now just thinking about it


We haven't had a pet since....maybe I'll get a parrot or a turtle

Thanks alot Bette.

You maked me cry mean lady!!! But they are all so true especially #2, I once read it takes a full 10 seconds for a dog to process a command and I've counted it out with my babies and yep it takes several seconds for it to "go thru" to the brain, kinda like husbands! Pets are all that keep me sane, well as sane as I can be.

Thanks for posting this Bette. It's a great reminder that while our pets are just a part of our lives, we are the center of their universe. I lost my best girl a month ago to congestive heart failure. My weimaraner Mia lived a full and happy life, and fought a good fight for the last 9 months of her life. The entire time of her illness, I dreaded the day I'd have to say goodbye. But when I saw how much suffering she was enduring on that last morning, I knew it was time.

Awww, Bette thats a great post!!!!  Like everyone else i got choked up at #10 also.  I'm a vet tech and it always broke my heart when people would drop off their cat or dog to be euthanized because they didnt want to be with them.  Or even the clients that wanted us to bring their pet "in back" to euthanize and then bring them back into the room for them to say their final goodbye.  Its always an extremely difficult experience for pet owners.  But i wholeheartedly agree that you should be there with them so the last person your pet see's and/or hears is you.  I really think it makes their passing a little less scary for them. 

Okay, i'll get off my soapbox now.  Just my little 2 cents.

Kel