Just a Dog
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."
A DOG'S PRAYER
by Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, 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 should lick
your hand in between the blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly teach me the things
you would have me to do. 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 footsteps fall upon my
waiting ears. When it is cold and wet, please take me inside...
for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer use to the bitter elements...
and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at
your feet beside the heart... though had you no home, I would
rather follow you through ice and snow than to rest upon
the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land...
for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I
should not reproach when it dry, I can not tell you when
I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do 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, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit
to deprive me of my health and sight, do not turn me away from you.
Rather hold me greatly in your arms as the skilled hands
grant me the merciful boom of eternal rest...
and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew,
my fate was ever safest in your hands.
Some of our other dogs....
DOG TRIVIA
1. It takes 63 days for puppies to be born from the time of mating.
2. Puppies are born both deaf and blind. Their eyes begin to open between 10 and 14 days. They begin to hear soon after but it takes a while longer before they have complete sight and hearing.
3. Puppies begin getting their puppy teeth when they are about three weeks old. They’re very sharp!
4. Puppies begin getting their adult teeth between four and seven months. They’re very likely to chew on things during this period.
5. Dogs are thought to have descended from wolves in southeast Asia at least 14,000 years ago.
6. Some of the oldest breeds of dogs are the Afghan Hound, the Chow Chow, the Lhasa Apso, the Pekingese, the Shar Pei, the Shih Tzu, the Tibetan Terrier, the Saluki, the Basenji, the Akita Inu, the Shiba Inu, the Samoyed, the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute.
7. Most dogs have a double coat of hair -- an undercoat that provides insulation and an outer coat of guard hair.
8. There are no completely hypoallergenic dogs. All dogs have at least some hair that can attract dander and allergens. Some dogs and breeds attract less than others.
9. There are currently 74.8 million pet dogs in the United States. Some 44.8 million U.S. households own a dog.
10. Seventy-eight (78) percent of the owned dogs in the United States are spayed or neutered.
11. According to the AKC the most popular names for dogs are Lady and Bear.
12. The American Kennel Club recognizes 161 dog breeds in the United States. The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), recognizes over 400 breeds throughout the world.
13. The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed of dog. At a minimum, males should be 31 inches tall at the shoulder and 120 pounds. Females should be 28 inches tall at the shoulder and 90 pounds.
14. The heaviest dog is usually considered to be the Mastiff or the Saint Bernard. A healthy Mastiff or Saint Bernard -- not an overweight dog -- will typically weigh 180-200 pounds.
15. The smallest breed of dog is the tiny Chihuahua. According to the Chihuahua breed standard they should not weigh more than six pounds and they stand six to nine inches tall at the shoulder.
16. The world’s fastest dog is probably the Greyhound. They can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. However, Whippet fans claim that their dogs are faster over short distances, able to zig and zag better. Saluki afficionados claim that their dogs are better open-field hunters. All three breeds are extremely fast.
17. Contrary to popular belief, the Poodle did not originate in France. It was originally a German breed used for hunting, water retrieving and even herding. You can see the breed’s similarity to other curly-coated herding breeds such as the Puli. Poodle coats will curl and even cord if allowed to grow out.
18. At one time the Collie was considered a vicious breed of dog, perhaps because the Scots who kept the dogs were considered a vicious people. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria became a fan of the breed in the 19th century that Collies became popular with the public.
19. The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog in the United States since 1990. The Lab is also the most popular dog breed in Great Britain.
20. The smartest dogs are often thought to be Border Collies. They do very well in training. They can figure things out for themselves and also want to please their owners. However, lots of people think they have smarter dogs. Golden Retreivers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds are also breeds that repeatedly do well on doggy intelligence tests.
Dog Recipes
Nana Bears Doggy Snacks
2 c. wheat flour
1/4 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 lg. egg
1 c. warm water
1 dog bone shaped cookie cutter
Mix all ingredients together except 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, knead until thoroughly mixed.
Roll the dough out using a chilled rolling pin.
Cut out shapes, lay into the remaining cheese, turning once.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
½ cups water(add more water later if required)
½ cup oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup oats
Blend wet ingredients together. Whisk dry ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400 F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in airtight container.
Veggie Bones
3 cups minced parsley
1/4 cup carrots, chopped very fine
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 to 1 cup of water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, rack on middle level. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Stir together parsley, carrots, cheese, and oil. combine all the dry ingredients and add to veggies. Gradually add 1/2 cup of water, mixing well. Make a moist but not wet dough. If needed, add a little more water. Knead for one minute.
roll dough out to 1/2 inch thickness. Using cookie cutter or a glass, cut out the shapes and transfer them to the baking sheet. Gather the scraps and re-roll and cut. Bake for 20-30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened slightly. (They will harden more as they cool.) Speed cooling by placing them on wire racks. Store in airtight tin.
