Man's Best Friend, no doubt about it - Page 2

As I have said before on this board, I work in a hospice unit. We have therapy dogs that come in and visit our patients, and their families, and are a great source of comfort to both, and a welcome change of pace for the staff as well, who are often stressed. It's just amazing how these dogs, for whom all of our patients are strangers, are able to connect with the sick and dying, and how gentle they are. Our main therapy dog is a rottie, and she can change affect from one room to the next; hesitating and quiet with those that are a little timid, rambunctious with those that are willing, gentle and loving with those that need extra TLC. I recall one fragile lady who's family were unsure how she would respond, as she had never had a dog that they knew of...she waved her hand weakly for the dog to come over, and then patted her bed, as she was too weak to speak. That big rottie came over, gingerly lifted herself up onto the bed, and pressed her head onto the woman's shoulder. The lady wrapped her arms around her big head and just cried....our four legged angel laid there as still as a stone, whimpering a little, until the lady regained her composure, and then gave her two doggie kisses, and left the bed, as carefully as she had climbed up, not disturbing IV or oxygen lines, or any of the other numerous tubes. Later, after her family had gone home for the evening, the woman whispered that she felt that the dog was the only one who truely understood what she was going through. She passed away later that night. These minor miracles happen a lot here, I brought my GSD in to visit, she's a little sharp at home, but everyone wanted to meet her, so we decided to give it a try. She was so quiet and gentle to everyone! How they know these things is beyond me, but they do...I really think sometimes that they read more than our body language, our scent, whatever, maybe all those things together...but sometimes it seems otherworldly..... jackie osborne

What a nice thread, thanks DoRight!!  I've lived with dogs all of my life and wouldn't have it any other way.  When I was a kid my dog always knew if I was happy, sad, etc.  When you don't have a friend in the world your dog is always at your side, nuff said :0)

ONE MAN'S SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO A DOG

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.

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 wintery winds blow,
and the snow drives fiercely,
if only he may be near his master's
side. He will kiss the hand that has no
food to offer, he will lick the sores
and wounds 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 it's journey
through the heavens.
If misfortune 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 against
danger, to fight against his enemies.

And when the last scene of all comes,
and death takes the master in it's
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.

-From a speech given by
Former Senator George Graham Vest
of Missouri. Delivered in 1870 when he
was acting as a lawyer in a suit against
a man who had killed the dog of his
client. -- He won the case.

Do Right?

Nation Geographic has a show on next Weds night, the 22nd, on Explorer, Called "Science of Dogs"  it's on at 7 p.m., could this be the show? I hope so, I've marked it on my calendar for next week.

Do Right great post and you are so correct about the difference between dogs and horses. Cats too can be loving but very independent. Horses are described as "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man" (sorry forgot who said it) . I have horses and have most of my life, I have even been obssessed with them. They do give a sense of peace, like when watching them graze, and a sense of control, when even a young child  can control them (this is the ideal). But the truth is, in most cases, horses do not "feel" the same way for humans as dogs. Dogs love you unconditionally. If you don't have food for your dog he will still love you. Horses appear to care for you because you care for them, but in reality I think they would prefer to be free. I'd love to see the show but I bet I don't get the channel  !

SBBroker:   I believe that is it.  Yes, I am sure that was it.  Sorry I was so far off originally with what the show was called.

Sparrow:  I have read that "poem" before, and I love it.  It is so true.  By the way, I noticed that you ended one of your posts with "nuff said".  Is that from where I think it is (hint:  MMMS )?    Just wondering.

Kalibeck:  Funny you mentioned the Rottie.  I just picked mine up from the vet.  He had surgery on one of his eyes to fix his bottom eye lid that curls up, back into his eye socket and irritates his eyes.  His name is Clyde and I got him from the local Shelter.  He is such a great dog.  He was dropped off at the shelter, with a female Rott that may be his mother.  I have them both.  She is a sweet heart.  Anyway, I just found out that Clyde weighs 105 lbs, and he is not fat at all.  I have stated previously that I have bought three inported W. German show lines (GSD's), and paid a lot of money for them, but my Rottie is by far the best of the lot, and he is from a shelter.   The Shepherds are good dogs also and I am happy with them, but...     The shelter had named him Houdini, and for good reasons.  He is as smart as they come.  Full of enery.  Loves to swim.  Very high food drive.  Afraid of nothing except that body language of mine, that apparently he can see from an acre away.  I went out to get him at 8 this morning, to take him to the vet to get his eye fixed, and "he knew".  He always runs to me when I go out, but this time, he slinked away from me and hid behind a tree, and he was a hundred feet away from me.  I was not carrying a leash or anything.  How he knew, I don't know.

My wife asked me this morning "If we had to give up all our dogs but one, which one would we keep"?  My answer was, "We don't and I ain't"  Nuff said.

Interseting! I watched that same show wed night, I believe the show right after was the science of smelling, interesting how the canine nose works. If you get a chance to watch it please do, you will not be disappointed,

Another show National Geographic televised that I totally enjoyed, was "In the Womb" , they aired it a couple times. There were 3 different shows, one on humans, then one on multiple births, then one on animals, featuring the dolphin, dog and elephant. I watched it both times I found it on the air and would watch it again. If you get the chance or someone you know taped it, I thought it to be a great documentary. You couldn't possibly believe in evolution after you see how amazing God made his creations. What the puppies accomplish in just the last 2 weeks, and what control the Dam has over her litter and all is utterly amazing.

Watch it if it comes around again,

Jan