A Dogs Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in 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 between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my ear. Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand by ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.  I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently.  I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
 

Beth Norman Harris

 

                                  

                   Poppy is waiting for us at the Bridge.
Being a breeder, I feel that it is important for all breeders to be responsible for any puppy that they may produce for the lifetime of the dog. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. That is why I am also involved in Golden Retriever Rescue.

Poppy came to us Memorial Day weekend 2001. He was a Senior Citizen who needed a new home. No one really knew how old he was. An elderly woman in Iowa had rescued him during a thunderstorm, when she saw him hiding underneath an overpass on a freeway. She was able to keep him for 5 years, but then she had to move to a condo and could not take him with. He went to live with a family who loved him dearly, but one of their children was severely allergic to dogs and he needed another new home. Poppy now was probably 10-13 years old. Not many people are interested in adopting an older dog. But I could not refuse his handsome gray face.............so........Poppy came to stay.

He'd had a rough life when he had been on his own. Xrays showed a bullet that was lodged in his back. His hips now were wearing out, but he still loved his daily walk with me to the mail box. We had many trips to the vet, where he was a favorite patient of all who works there.  He enjoyed the other dogs, and when it was time to play ball, when they would run down the hill chasing their balls, we would throw a special ball just for Poppy.  Granted, it would only go about 5 feet, but oh how proud he was when he could run the few steps to retrieve it.

We bought him a special 8 inch thick orthopedic bed, which he thought was "better than sliced bread"!  He would spend his days lying on his bed, chin resting on the window sill, keeping an eye on every thing that was happening outside. You could usually find Tagi, curled up on the bed next to him. They were best buddies.

We only were able to share one year with Poppy, but oh what a year it was. He enriched our lives with his stately ways and funny little quirks. In June of 2002, we helped him to cross the bridge. But I know that he is lying on a matching 8 inch thick orthopedic bed, keeping an eye on us, just waiting for the day that we will be reunited.

For anyone considering adopting a dog, please do not over look the Golden Oldies.  I can't put into words what a wonderful experience getting to know Poppy was.