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Dogs 365

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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 his dog... He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world... When all other friends desert, he remains - George G. Vest

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
 
"Mister," he said, "I want to buy "one of your puppies."
 
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
 
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran

Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.  As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a some what awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."
 
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
 
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."
 
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.

Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

"How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

...z z z

    

Kids and Canines: What Every Child Should Know

Always ask a dog's owner if you may pet the dog

Some dogs shouldn't be touched. He may be "on duty" as a service dog or he may be ill or afraid of children

Approach a dog from the front or side - not from behind

Hold  your hands low and speak softly. Do not surprise a dog, force him into a corner, wave your hands, or scream at him

Dog's may get defensive at the food dish

Don't interfere when a dog is eating and never put your hands between a dog's mouth and his bowl

Some dogs are very protective of their balls and chew toys

Never take a bone or toy from a dog's mouth unless he's trained to drop it or give it to you

Avoid teasing, rough housing, or tugs of war games

Dogs may get too enthusiastic and forget you are not a dog. Fetch, Frisbee and agility are better outlets for you dog's energy

Respect a dog's space

Dogs naturally defend their territories. Do not stick you hand inside a strange dog's crate or car window

Never try to break up a dog fight

Trying to separate fighting dogs my make them more excited, and they might turn on you or accidentally bite you. Call an adult for help.

Observe canine body language

Beware of a dog that is barking, growling, or showing his teeth. Stay away if his ears are back or his hair is standing up on his back. Say "No" firmly and slowly walk away with your arms at your side. Do not scream, stare into his eyes or run away.

Doggy Dictionary

LEASH: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go. 

DOG BED: any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room. 

DROOL: Is what you do when your persons have food and you don’t. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps. 

SNIFF: A social custom to use when you greet other dogs. Place your nose as close as you can to the other dog’s rear end and inhale deeply, repeat several times, or until your person makes you stop. 

GARBAGE CAN: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread. 

BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away. 

DEAFNESS: This is a malady which affects dogs when their person want them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down. 

THUNDER: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels. 

WASTEBASKET: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrapper. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home 

SOFAS: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean. 

BATH: This is a process by which the humans drench the floor, walls and themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently. 

LEAN: Every good dog’s response to the command “sit!” especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events. 

BUMP: The best way to get your human’s attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea. 

GOOSE BUMP: A maneuver to use as a last resort when the Regular Bump doesn’t get the attention you require.....especially effective when combined with The Sniff. See above. 

LOVE: Is a feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you’re lucky, a human will love you in return. 

(Author unknown)

If Dogs Were Teachers

If dogs were our teachers, we would learn important
stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
like they've been gone for a year.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride
in the car.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your
face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt
thing and pout... run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by
and nuzzle them gently.

And finally, never trust anyone until you sniff their butt.

The disposition of noble dogs is to be gentle with people they know and the opposite with those they don't know...How, then, can the dog be anything other than a lover of learning since it defines what's its own and what's alien - Plato

Many dogs will give a greeting grin much like a human smile - Richard A. Wolters

These are our dogs
This is their home
from which we hope
they'll never roam

They're faithful friends
we love them best.
This is their home
you are a guest

If dogs to you
are just a peeve
Then by all means
feel free to leave

A three-legged dog walked into a saloon in the Old West. He limped over to the bar, ordered a drink, turned around, looked at the crowd, and announced: "I’m looking for the man who shot my paw."

If a man lived up to the reputation of a dog, he would be a saint - Zanzibarian Proverb

Dog Owner's Prayer
O Lord don't let me once forget
how I love my trusty pet.

Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard.

Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa's muddy.

Don't allow my pooch to munch
postal carriers for lunch.

Shield my neighbor's cat from view—
guide my steps around the doo.

Train me not to curse and scowl
when it's puppy's night to howl.

Grant I shan't awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear.

Give me patience without end—
Help me be 'A Dog's Best Friend'!
 
~ Author Unknown ~

 

Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard - Dave Barry

Ask not for whom the dog barks. It barks for thee!

Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts

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

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down - Robert Benchley

Most dogs don't think they are human; they know they are - Jane Swan

Dogs are indeed the most social, affectionate, and amiable animals of the whole brute creation... - Edmund Burke

Some days you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrant - Unknown

A DOG'S BILL OF RIGHTS

I have the right to give and receive unconditional love.
I have the right to a life that is beyond mere survival.
I have the right to be trained so that I do not become the prisoner of my misbehavior.
I have the right to adequate food and medical care.
I have the right to fresh air and green grass.
I have the right to socialize with people and dogs outside my own family.
I have the right to special time with my people.
I have the right to be bred responsibly if at all.
I have the right to be foolish and silly, and to make my person laugh.
I have the right to earn my person's trust and to be trusted in return.
I have the right to be forgiven.
I have the right to die with dignity.
I have the right to be remembered well.

A dog has the soul of a philosopher - Plato

The dog represents all that is best in man -  Etienne Charlet

One of the saddest sights is to see a Dane ill. Their big eyes are a picture of misery, for make no mistake, a sick Dane puts on everything it can to get all the love and sympathy when it feels ill - Barbara Woodhouse (1910-1988)

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail ~ Fran Lebowitz

A dog has one aim in life. ~ To bestow his heart - J. R. Ackerley

     Inside every Newfoundland, Boxer, Elkhound and Great Dane is a puppy longing to climb on your lap - Helen Thomas, b 1943

           He is so shaggy. People are amazed when he gets up and they suddenly realize they have been talking to the wrong end - Elizabeth Jones

 

A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of - Ogden Nash

A dog desires affection more than its dinner.  Well - almost - Charlotte Gray

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog - Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)