Tribute to a dog.

Bug-Eyed Earl · Post by **Bug-Eyed Earl** » 2003-06-03 05:15pm

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 whom 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 a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is the dog.

Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can 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 into 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 in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad but open, in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even unto death.

- Senator George Vest, 1870

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-06-03 05:34pm

Did your dog die man?

Stirring speech and absolutely true.

Bug-Eyed Earl · Post by **Bug-Eyed Earl** » 2003-06-03 05:40pm

She's fine. I found an abridged version of this in Dean Koontz's "Watchers" and thought it was worth sharing.

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-06-03 05:51pm

Bug-Eyed Earl wrote:She's fine. I found an abridged version of this in Dean Koontz's "Watchers" and thought it was worth sharing.

Still quite good. Thank you.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-06-03 06:14pm

Wow, really beautiful. Thanks, man. *gets teary-eyed*

FaxModem1 · Post by **FaxModem1** » 2003-06-03 07:02pm

Reminds me of Max, I shall miss him till the rest of my days

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2003-06-03 07:03pm

I have constantly wondered why we choose cats and dogs as our friends when we know that their lives are so much shorter then ours. This essay is the reason why. They are our companions who will love us regardless.

I am reminded of Old Shep from FT Benton Montana. His master died and was taken by train to the nearest cemetary. Shep stood at his masters side untill the people at the train depot refused to let him on board. Shep waited at the train depot for his masters return. He waited for almost a decade before he finaly died of old age.

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2003-06-03 07:42pm

*sniff* I still remember you MacDuff.

theski · Post by **theski** » 2003-06-03 07:47pm

This one will really make you tear up...... and very true:

A Dog's Plea

Treat 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 might lick
your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will
more quickly teach me the 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
footstep falls upon my waiting ear. Please take me inside when
it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer
accustomerd 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 so 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. And, 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. I am not having any fun. 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.

A Dog's Friend

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2003-06-03 08:01pm

Alyeska wrote:I have constantly wondered why we choose cats and dogs as our friends when we know that their lives are so much shorter then ours. This essay is the reason why.

Er...offhand, I can't think of any animal even remotely suitable for companionship with a lifespan comparable to a human's. It's still a nice speech, though.

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2003-06-03 08:13pm

Andrew J. wrote:
Alyeska wrote:I have constantly wondered why we choose cats and dogs as our friends when we know that their lives are so much shorter then ours. This essay is the reason why.
Er...offhand, I can't think of any animal even remotely suitable for companionship with a lifespan comparable to a human's. It's still a nice speech, though.

Parrot

Captain Cyran · Post by **Captain Cyran** » 2003-06-03 08:34pm

*Gets all teary* Beautiful speach, love it.

Damaramu · Post by **Damaramu** » 2003-06-03 10:20pm

*sniff*

I miss my dog, Fonzie. RIP big guy......

Montcalm · Post by **Montcalm** » 2003-06-03 10:49pm

Alyeska wrote:I have constantly wondered why we choose cats and dogs as our friends when we know that their lives are so much shorter then ours. This essay is the reason why. They are our companions who will love us regardless.

Maybe humans could have monkey as pet,but who in his right mind would want a pet who`d throw crap in his face.

j1j2j3 · Post by **j1j2j3** » 2003-06-04 12:26am

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there was a local case a couple weeks ago in which a dog ate his owners eye after he died of a heart attack.

Pretty disgusting, huh?

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-06-04 12:34am

why not? he didnt need his eye anymore.