My little dog is not doing well...but I wanted to focus on the things about her that make her special rather than her illness. And I realize she has been teaching me some things about being a good dog. And so I share with you. Not all original, I know, but things that I think are true for her...and probably other dogs as well. 1. Just because you get tossed on a freeway by one person doesn't mean that someone else won't come along and pick you up when you need it most. 2. A dog wakes up each morning with the attitude of: "Wow, another morning. Isn't that great?" 3. Being an old dog doesn't mean you can't learn new tricks. 4. Good dogs can make friends with cats...and do. Cats like being licked across the face even though they don't like to admit it. 5. Good dogs understand their humans aren't as smart as they are. Afterall dogs are bilingual in canine and human languages while humans are more limited. But good dogs always let their humans think the human is the intelligent one. 6. It isn't the destination that's important...it's getting the chance to go for a ride with your friends. 7. If a stranger offers you a treat, be polite but don't eat it. If a friend offers you a treat, eat it with enthusiasm that shows. If your favorite person gives you a treat, hide it and keep it for a day when that person isn't around. 8. It's better to sleep with friends cuddled around you. It just is. 9. Being a good dog has nothing to do with pedigree...it's about heart. 10. All dogs go to heaven. Good dogs are angels in fur coats.

At the risk of sounding like my femminine side has successfully pulled off a coup (grin), I'd have to say those are precious! Since I'm am such a cat lover, I really get a kick out of #4. At the risk of "hi-jacking" Dianne's thread and turning it into an "Ode To Dogs" thread, I offer up a few of the sayings for which dogs have been the inspiration: Dog days of summer Dog days afternoon Every dog has his day I wouldn't send a dog out on a night like this It's a dog's life Man bites dog Sick as a dog Let sleeping dogs lie Dog gone it Dog eared Dog tired Hungry as a dog Dirty dog Tail wagging the dog You can't teach an old dog new tricks Dog and pony show Work like a dog It's a dog eat dog world That dog will hunt That dog won't hunt

Thanks, Chuck. It's funny how doggy our language is. :) Of course, there are little doggy quotes too. "The more I see of people, the better I like my dog" (and all its variations). And one that goes something like: "try to be as good as your dog thinks you are."

Just a few more things dogs have spurred people to write: Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies. -Gene Hill If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one. -Andy Rooney If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either. -Unknown My dog's not spoiled ... I'm just well trained ! -Unknown There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. -Ben Williams Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. -Franklin P. Jones My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am. -Toby & Eileen Green The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. -Ambrose Bierce Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts. -Unknown We didn't rescue our animals, they rescued us. -Unknown Money can buy you a wonderful dog, but only love will make him wag his tail. -Unknown

And one from Groucho Marx: Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. If you don't like cats, you haven't been adopted by the right one yet.

Here is a poem I keep on by bulletin board at work--a constant reminder of a dog's unconditional love. Rags We called him "Rags." He was just a cur, But twice, on the Western Line, That little old bunch of faithful fur Had offered his life for mine. And all that he got was bones and bread, Or the leavings of soldier grub, But he'd give his heart for a pat on the head, Or a friendly tickle and rub. And Rags got home with the regiment, And then, in the breaking away -- Well, whether they stole him, or whether he went, I'm not prepared to say. But we mustered out, some to beer and gruel, And some to sherry and shad, And I went back to the Sawbones School, Where I still was an undergrad. One day they took us budding M.D.'s To one of those institutes Where they demonstrate every new disease By means of bisected brutes. They had one animal tacked and tied And slit like a full-dresses fish, With his vitals pumping away inside As pleasant as one might wish. I stopped to look like the rest, of course, And the beast's eyes leveled mine; His short tale thumped with a feeble force, And he uttered a tender whine. It was Rags, yes, Rags! who was martyred there, Who was quartered and crucified, And he whined that whine which is doggish prayer And he licked my hand--and died. And I was no better in part nor whole Than the gang I was found among, And his innocent blood was on the soul Which he blessed with his dying tongue. Well! I've seen man go to courageous death In the air, on sea, on land! But only a dog would spend his breath In a kiss for his murderer's hand. And if there's no heaven for love like that, For such four-legged fealty-well! If I have any choice, I tell you flat, I'll take my chance in hell. by Edmund Vance Cooke

When my dog Megan was 6 months old, I took her out one morning to a baseball field to let her run free. She headed straight for a flock of geese that I hadn't noticed before. They all scattered as Megan barked with her tail wagging like crazy. Then she discovered something the geese left behind. Something she found irresistable; Something she loves now as much as she did 10 years ago: Goose shit. She rolled around till she was completely covered and then ran toward me to share her discovery. I would have set her free to discover the world on her own, but she chased me home, so I told my wife Megan had a present for her. She's still mad at me.

The loss of a pet, a friend, and a companion of 13 years is an everlasting emotional event. Having visited this house of sadness once in my life, I can truly say I dread any future visits. Please take my "digital hug", a few inadequate words, and empathy for your loss.

I've lost my share of pets, and it never gets easier. My cats always love it when I read sad stories like this because I then go over and pet them for a while, just to reassure myself. I have a 14 year-old cat, so I know the chances are good that we haven't a lot of time left with him, though he still seems quite healthy. (He's one of the most even-tempered lumps of fur you'll ever have the privilege to meet.)

(Sorry, I hit the Reply button to soon.) My condolences for your loss.

Thank you all. I want you to know that I am not spending my weekned mourning her loss, but rahter I am celebrating her memory. She was a special little dog...people who didn't like dogs, liked Sally. She was the most genuinely joyful animal that I ever had the pleasure to spend time with. Time after time, I saw people drawn to touch her and hold her, and find a smile even in sadness by being in her presence. I don't know how she did it. I wish I did. She was just a silly little dog...but she had enormous heart.

It is really odd, if you think about it. I am such a pessimistic soul. It's not that I have had a bad life, but I've not had a particularly good life either. But Sally, who had been treated roughly at her beginning, came forward into each day with a coyote yowl of enthusisam. She tried to teach me her joy of simple things. I'm a tough pupil; she wasn't completely successful, but she never quit trying.

When her voice was silenced and I saw the joy fade from her, I knew it was time to let her go.

Don't mistake me for a religious person. I am not. But I know with my whole heart that if there is an afterlife, or a karmic destiny, or a heaven, or some transformation beyond this existence, Sally will go on to the best of all worlds.

And all I could wish for any of you is that you have the great good luck to experience in your life someone with such unconditional love. I think we tend to be arrogant enough to discount it if that affection comes from anything other than a human being, but I suggest that love is a pure element, no less valuable for being the gift of a little dog.

I won't waste anymore of your time with this. I know how this must seem to other people. It doesn't matter. I just know how it is for me. I may have had no luck in any other part of my life, but I had great, good luck when Sally appeared and I will never forget the debt I owe her.

Well, I don't think you've wasted anyone's time. Besides getting a glimpse of you, you given all the readers a viewpoint to consider.

Probably I've given people a glimpse of a nut case. :/

Attached Link: The Bella Chronicles