This list just came along with a Pet Backpack I ordered. I thought it was rather sweet of them to do this. No author or credit is given.

Top Ten Commandments for A Responsible Pet Owner

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. ANY SEPARATION from you will be painful for me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me... it's CRUCIAL to my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up for punishment. You have your work, your friends, and your entertainment, I HAVE ONLY YOU!!!!

5. TALK to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6. Be aware that HOWEVER you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Remember before you hit me, that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but I choose NOT to bite you.

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

9. Take care of me when I get old... you too will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. NEVER say, "I can't bear to watch it," or, "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if YOU are there. Above all, remember, that I LOVE YOU!!!!!

toodles

That just sums it all up doesn't it. :)

ooooooo That was so nice to read and so trueeeeeeee

pat xx

I am going to give my 2 extra helpings tonight..

Pam :-))

God I'm weeping buckets now - but what great sentiments and fantastic pointers for any owner - new or experienced - we can all have short fuses and memories at times;-).

Pam n the boys

Hi That is soo true, just wish more people would remember it, and it made my eyes fill up too

we definately need a hanky warning on some of these posts:D that is so sweet and should be put up in every vets and rescue centre, i have to go now to get some tissues before i drench the keyboard

Thats soooooo sweet:)

Stacey x x x

swine!!!!!could of done without that one-it brings all the sad days back :(

Whaaaaat?????? I'm a swine now?? Why??? whachIeverdotoyou??? ;) :D :D

it brought back all the memories of one of my favourite bitches, she was special to me, also had a fabulous time in the ring-best of breed at crufts, and many other champshows, she was so attatched to me and had very little time for anyone else, i had t0 have her put to sleep a day before her fourth birthday, she had cancer, so bad her veins had more or less closed down, she wasted away nearly overnight, they had a terrible time to get a needle in and all the way she cuddled into my neck, knowing something was up, -i felt terrible and the poem just brought it all back to me,

Awww, now I feel bad :( She was so young!!!! I'm sorry. :(
toodles

its not your fault, --i read it and found myself standing in the vets room again with her clinging into my neck, it seemed so vivid,--caught me unawares thats all :(

lot of good points in that
worth putting it on the bottom of puppy contracts
plain and simple knowledge to all :) ;)

Do people actually NOT talk to their dogs?????? I thought it was just a given assumption that everyone does. I mean, there are those who talk to stupid plants (sorry, plant lovers, but a plant is not sentient & bounce around eagerly waiting for food)
If it wasn't for talking to the 'girls.' I'd be stark raving mad by now. Then again, whose to say I'm not?
toodles

I'm sure my neighbours think I'm a loony, I talk to my Lab Tally all the time. He justs sits there looking at me with his ears attentive and his head tilted. What a cutie, he probably thinks I'm a loony too!!:)
Rachel

When I lived in NM, my neighbors were going through a painfully loud deteriorating relationship (the guy was loud - wife quiet). Their daughter loved to walk my girls around the block & pretend they were hers.

During this time, I could see the sadness in her eyes and encouraged her to "tell secrets" to my girls. Sometimes, I would see her & Chienne sitting on the stoop with the girl whispering into her ear. Chienne would sit dead still with her ears 'up' and give her a quick lick on the cheek everytime she stopped talking. I think it helped the girl out. I hope it did. She seems to be ok now...but she's entering the teen years & she's a quiet moody thing (even before this went on, she was like that).
toodles

Dizzy that must have been tough for you. At least you were there for her and that would have been much easier on her even if you are left to pick up the pieces. :-(

It was just before my 21st birthday when my JRT was put to sleep at the age of 18½, I hadn't known life really without her. I was away at the time and had to make the decision over the phone based on what my gran was telling me, I phoned the vet who I knew really well to discuss things, to be honest I had a feeling before I went away that I wouldn't see my little Jess again and I'll never forgive myself for going away. Thankfully my uncle who Jess loved stayed with her but even though it was 7 years ago I'm filling up now even writing about it :-(

One good thing has come out of it all though, I have learn't the hard way that no matter how hard things are I will always be there for my dogs. I even put them before my job at the amusement of my very understanding boss :-)