The 10 Commandments
From a Pet's Standpoint

My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.

Give me time to understand what you want from me don't be impatient, short-tempered or irritable.

Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back, respect is earned not given as an inaliable right.

Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment, I am not capable of understanding why? I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.

Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice and your tone "just look at my tail".

Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it and if it's cruel it may affect me forever.

Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't ever want to do that.

Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak or I may be just dog tired.

Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, and attention.

Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember Irrespective of what you do I will always love and adore you, for that is the very nature of the Dog.

© Stan Rawlinson 1998
Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer
www.doglistener.co.uk
0208 979 2019

This article was written by Stan Rawlinson, a full time Dog Behavioural Consultant and Obedience Traimer.
You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information. You may freely distribute this article or save to any electronic media as long as it is left intact, including this copyright box.
Please let me know out of courtesy where and when you publish. E.mail will suffice.

© Stan Rawlinson 1998

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done, for this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree, it is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you, who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

If Only

If only our dogs shared our lifespan

If only, they knew how it hurt

The pain the loss and the grieving,

The terrible effect they exert

If only our dogs felt our feelings

If only they spoke of their fear

If only if only if only

But just listen, and then you may hear

Stan Rawlinson 2006

In Memory

They will not go quietly, the dogs who have shared our lives. In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think we hear them at the door. Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be, And sometimes, coming home at night we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill, That one place in our hearts belongs to them...and always will.

Do I Go Back Home Today?

When my family first bought me to live within their home. They cuddled and they pampered me and groomed with brush and comb.

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, and all the tiny girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me; and give me special treats. They even let me sleep with them - all cosy in their sheets

I used to go for lovely walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my lead, I'm so very proud to say!

These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory. for now I'm in a shelter, bereft of family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new

The kids and I would grab a rag, and for hours we played tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed that bedroom rug.

They said that I had lost control and would have to live outside. I didn't really understand this, though I really really tried!

The walks they stopped one by one; they said they had no time. I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely shackled to a metal chain. I barked and barked continually I thought I'd go insane.

So they took me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. So they said I'd caused an allergy, then said their last goodbye.

If only I'd had training, as a tiny little pup. I wouldn't have been so hard to live with, when I was all grown up.

You only have one day left", I heard the kennel man say. Does that mean I have a second chance? "Do I go back home today"?

The Dogs Party

The dogs all had a party They came from near and far. Some dogs came by taxi And others came by car.

Each dog signed his name upon a special book And each dog hung his backside upon a special hook.

One dog was not invited, And this aroused his ire. He stormed into the party And loudly shouted "FIRE!"

And in the chaos that followed, The dogs forgot to look And grabbed just any backside From off of any hook.

So that is the real reason. whenever they meet or roam, They sniff each others' backside, To try and find their own!

When God Made....

When God had made the Earth and sky, The flowers and the trees,

He then made all the animals And all the birds and bees.

And when his work was finished, Not one was quite the same.

He said, 'I'll walk this earth of mine, And give each one a name,'

And so he travelled land and sea, And everywhere he went,

A little creature followed Him Until his strength was spent.

And when all were named upon the Earth, And in the sky and sea,

The little creature said,'Dear Lord, There's not one left for me!'

The Father smiled and softly said: 'I've left you till the end.

I've turned my own name back to front, And called you DOG, my friend.

I Stood By Your Bed

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep

I whined to you softly As you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, Your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to re-assure you, That I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, As you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me"

You looked so very tired, And sank into a chair, I tried so hard to let you know, That I was standing there.

It's possible for me, To be so near you every day. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, Then smiled, I think you knew… In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

An when the time is right for you, To cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you, And we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, There is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out…

Then come home to be with me.

Lexington Neighbors Discover Animal House of Horror { part 1 and when it all began Well Some say " Nancy why do you post this story?" well I will tell all of you , I saw this first hand and , my boyfriend and some other neighbors and WE got involved after we tried tried to get dawn {Miss.Dunn } to maintain he dogs, NO we did not know she was not feeding , watering or letting them live like this! We had never been on her property before this day, had we this we would had put a stop to it way before , trust ME! what we saw I would not wish on nobody, I have lost sleep over this , all I see when I lay down are the little dogs in the dark basement covered in there own fecal matter, and then the ones in the back yard hungry & thirsty! So I post this so hopefully if you may have a neighbor like this or you suspect you to will take action and call who ever it takes to make sure it gets noticed! Thank you , for reading this and stopping by my site and Happy Chihuahua Hunting, there are some great breeders out there that love there dogs! And I am one of them , I don't just love mine I love all animals and lets stop these people from mistreating Gods Creatures.

Lexington Neighbors Discover Animal House of Horror
"There's six inches of fecal matter in the basement that these little Yorkies are living in and they have it hanging from their hair, it's just terrible," says neighbor Nancy White. VIDEO [more...] This was my neighbor and for months we tried to get police & animal control to check this Miss. Dunn out, but Until we called WLTX ,19 news they did something then! They had to act and when they saw what was going on , then they acted but afraid it was a bit to late for a couple of these dogs please read more on this story and if you think someone may be going on close to you and the police are responding the way you think they should or Animal Control ... Then call the NEWS TEAM! This is when she told the news " she did not want the dogs and tried to give them to animals control, and that they would not come get them and also neighbors { meaning us} dumped the dried smashed feces all over the floor which was at least 3-4 inches deep and the dogs where walking in , well the ones the could walk. click here for this follow up story and video. Dog Breeder Defends Animal Horror House Claims {part 2 } Then came the Pool draining! This pool was Green and a pretty good size pool and by looking over the fence it look what to be a dog floating in it. This is part 3 , although they did not find anymore dead animals in the pool and where now able to charge Miss. Dunn click here for part 3 of this very sad story of these poor dogs and the lady who is walking free! Pool that May Have Dead Dogs Inside Drained, Breeder Still Under Investigation { Part 3 } Miss. Dunn has been Arrested , charged & released on $41,000 bond. I have heard some dogs had to be put down, what a darn shame! This was on tonight 11/29/07 and her court date is Jan 7,2008 and I plan on going there myself and for the animals that cannot speak out. Click here for this story on her charges Woman Charged with 41 Counts of Ill-Treatment of Animals { part 4}

WALKING THE DOG:

A little girl asked her Mom, "Mom, may I take the dog for a walk around the block?"

Mom replies,"No, because she is in heat."

"What's that mean?" asked the child.

"Go ask your father. I think he's in the garage."

The little girl goes to the garage and says, "Dad, may I take LulaBelle for a walk around the block? I asked Mom, but she said the dog was in heat, and to come to you."

The Dad says, "Bring LulaBelle over here." He took a rag, soaked it with gasoline, and scrubbed the dog's backside with it to disguise the scent, and said "OK, you can go now, but keep LulaBelle on the leash and only go one time around the block."

The little girl left and returned a few minutes later with no dog on the leash.

Surprised, Dad asked, "Where's LulaBelle?"

(YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS!)

The little girl said, "She ran out of gas about halfway down the block, so another dog is pushing her home.