Intresting reading

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than it loves himself.-Josh Billings

To millions of people across the world the benefits of living with pets are clear, a cute friendly face to greet you at the end of a long hard day, company on dark evenings alone and playful antics that brighten your day. Studies are showing that the effects of the rich relationship with your pet even improves your health and supports child development as well as all the daily pleasures pet ownership brings.

Stories in the press range from children with learning difficulties who have blossomed after swimming with dolphins or reading to their dog. Adults whose recovery after heart attack has been aided by dog ownership.

Florence Nightingale was one of the first to recognize that pets could be excellent companions for sick people and help aid recovery.

The attention, love and care that we give to living things can be beneficial to our emotional health and make us feel needed in return. Results have shown that interaction with pets can temporarily reduce high blood pressure and feelings of anxiety. For young children a loved pet can be a confident and provide comfort and companionship, gaining confidence from the unquestioning love of their pet.

He's your friend, partner and defender. Your his life, love and leader. He will be true and faithful to the last beat of his heart.

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

Why did God make dogs?

I don't think it was accidental, so why do you suppose hounds are around?

Recently, I watched an elderly woman trying to recover from a stroke. Her brain was damaged, and her arm was weak, so her therapist brought, of all things, a dog to help out. Instead of completing monotonous drills, the elderly patient threw a bright red Frisbee across the room, and the dog bounced over, picked it up, and brought it back, his eyes begging, "Throw it again, please!"

And she did, over and over and over, forgetting that she was actually working quite hard.

What possessed God to make dogs anyway? Certainly there are exceptions, and certainly people can breed dogs to bring out the worst in them, but in general, there is nothing more selfless, loving or patient than a dog.

Mistreat it and it comes back to you anyway.

Ignore it and it never gives up hope that you will be its friend again.

Make it wait days to go play, and it will still be ready.

It offers you friendship and companionship and in return asks only for food, water and an occasional scratch behind the ears.

Why would God bother to make such a creature?

I suppose that if dogs were like people they would eventually give up on us but they never do.

A dog's love is almost impossible to destroy, because it's not a love you earn; it's simply a love you are given.

In other words, dogs love unconditionally.

Unconditional love; unending patience; faithfulness to the very end.

Do you suppose, just perhaps, that God made dogs to show us a little something about Himself? Do you think maybe "man's best friend" is really pointing us to the One who is truly our very Best Friend?

You could learn a lot about God from a dog.

Puppy's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs,
she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
My nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
And it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!
--Author Unknown

Why Own A Dog?

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know, You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.

One dog is no trouble, and two are so funny.
The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.
The fifth one delightful, the sixth one's a breeze, You find you can live with a house full with ease.

So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy but oh, Lord the hair!
With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed, And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother you've said.

They're really no trouble, their manners are great.
What's just one more dog and just one more crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty, The floor is all footprints, the furniture dusty.

The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints and a little more hair?
So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room, And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add, The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.
The vet, the food bill grows larger, you owe money.

Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay, Except other dog folks, who all live the same way.
Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too, But your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots.
And entries and travel and motels which cost lots.
Is it worth it, you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite dog comes and climbs in your lap.

His look says you're special and you know that you will Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.
Some just for showing and some just to breed.
And some just for loving, they all fill a need.

But winter's a hassle, the dogs hate it too.
But they must have their walks though they're numb and you're blue.
Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout At the dogs on the sofa who refuse to go out.

The dogs and the dog shows, the travel, the thrills, The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.
The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are your life.
They're charming and funny and offset the strife.

Your life-style has changed. Things won't be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the dog game!!