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(anonymous)

reat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.   Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly  teach me things you would have me learn. 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 footsteps fall on my waiting ear.

lease take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for 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.

nd, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing, and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going...please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.           

(Maggie, an Irish Wolfhound I once had.)

The Keeping of Dogs
(a Jicarilla Apache Story, as retold by Victor H. Nelson)

Before there were any people, the Creator had a heavenly companion named Dog.

One day, the Creator told Dog, `I am going to go away for a while.' Dog asked, `Will you be gone very long?' The Creator answered, `Yes, I will be gone for a long time.' Dog said, 'I will get lonely.' So the Creator thought and said, `I will make a companion for you.'
The Creator took clay and shaped it into a human. He told the clay to sit up and the human sat up. He told the human to walk and the human walked. Dog was becoming very excited about his companion. The Creator told the human to run and the human ran, with Dog running and jumping and barking alongside. Then the Creator told the human to laugh. The human laughed. The Creator said, `Laugh again.' The human laughed even more. The Creator said a third time, `Laugh again.'
And the human laughed and laughed and laughed.

And the Creator said, `Now you are fit to live.' And that is how a human became Dog's best friend."

The following was sent to me by Suellen; many thanks!

If a dog were your teacher, you would learn stuff like...
(author unknown)

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstacy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps, and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention, and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will suffice.
On warm days, stop to lay on your back on the grass.
On truly hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout; run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
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, and nuzzle them gently.

If you enjoy stories, you might try another section of my site; Stories From Which We Learn. It contains another dog-related story.

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