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A Tribute To The Dog
By George Graham Vest
Gentlemen of the jury:
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only be may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
About The Author
George Graham Vest (1830-1904)
George Graham Vest was a United States Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903. He was one of the leading orators and debaters of the U.S. Senate. While he was practicing law in a small Missouri town, Vest represented a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. Vest's handling of the case was unique. He showed no interest in the testimony offered. However, when his turn came to address the jury, he made the speech above and easily won the case.
Thank you, and thanks to everyone who offered their condolences. I'm taking it pretty well. I usually do well when it comes to these kinds of things. I've been expecting it for a while, as Riley has been having somme health trouble as of late. At least it wasn't like when my dog Schroder died. I had come home from a weekend with my Dad, and found out that Schoder had fallen down the stairs on the friday that I left. (He had hips that were almost completely gone by this point. and he had tried to run down the stairs to the door.)Zaia wrote:Damn, Alex, I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you taking it ok so far?
Well, I talked to mom today, and it turns out the situation is a little more complicated. A friend of Mom's at work was in a similar situation as mom(constant fighting with daughter and such). She took her daughter down to Boulder early this year, to help the girl get settled into her apartment. After the parents left, the girl committed suicide. Mom got really shook up when she heard this, because the last thing she wants is for something to happen to either of them while K and her are on non-speaking terms.And, if you don't mind my asking, why does your mom think that news will make things better with your sister? If do you mind my asking, just don't bother answering my question; I promise I'll completely understand.
You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*
Well, of COURSE don't give up on her, but a sad prognosis isn't going to bring any rays of sunshine out of me if I haven't got an encouraging anecdote to share!BoredShirtless wrote:
What the fuck is wrong with you people? His dog isn't DEAD! DON'T offer your condolences!
Alex, my dog was diagnosed with malignant stage 3 mast cell cancer at the start of this year. Vet removed tumors on her back and stomach. She was given 2 months to live. 9 months later and she is 100% healthy and as happy as can be. DON'T give up on her!
Every 6 months? At most, we've been taking her there every 6 yearsBoredShirtless wrote:You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*
1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]
. And that one time was only because she was really sick. But she got 8 shots of something in her neck which made her look like a camel and then she got better. Guess I'd better take her to the vet just to be sure that she's allright. 
Yeah that would be a good ideaDooey Jo wrote:Every 6 months? At most, we've been taking her there every 6 yearsBoredShirtless wrote:You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:Dooey Jo wrote:How do you know if your dog has cancer? *worried*
1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]
You and I can always walk over to the doctors if we feel sick or concerned about something. Dogs can't.Sometimes, as hard as it is, it's less painful for your pet to let them go. My puppy was nearing 15, had arthritis in all four legs, and was just miserable, unable to even limp up the low stairs to her favorite resting spot. We decided, amid much pain, that the vet was correct to suggest putting Spotty to sleep.Frank Hipper wrote:Well, of COURSE don't give up on her, but a sad prognosis isn't going to bring any rays of sunshine out of me if I haven't got an encouraging anecdote to share!BoredShirtless wrote:
What the fuck is wrong with you people? His dog isn't DEAD! DON'T offer your condolences!
Alex, my dog was diagnosed with malignant stage 3 mast cell cancer at the start of this year. Vet removed tumors on her back and stomach. She was given 2 months to live. 9 months later and she is 100% healthy and as happy as can be. DON'T give up on her!
Our dog didn't have any of that. He was happy-bouncy-happy-bouncy and then just keeled over in front of us one day. Turns out he was riddled through with cancer.BoredShirtless wrote:
You won't know, but your vet will. You should take your dog to a vet every 6 months for a checkup. But here are some visible signs which MAY indicate cancer:
1. Hacking cough
2. Lethargy
3. Blood in stool and or urine
4. Lumps under surface of skin [this is what my dog had]