If I Were a Dog, I would ….

If I Were a Dog
by Michael Albee

If I Were a Dog, I would want to be loved by a kind and caring master.
… I would want to be loved just as unconditionally as I love.
… I would want to hang around with my master all of the time – my master is the center of my world.
… I would want to have a warm and comfortable place to live with lots of food and water.
… I would want to be outside all of the time when the weather is nice.
… I would hang out in the yard or on the deck and soak up the sun.
… I would relax and breathe the sweet, clean air and listen to the sounds of nature around me.
… I would run and play all day long because that’s what makes me happy.
… I would want to be friends with everyone I meet.
… I would play and share my great life with anyone who is my friend.
… If I was alone, I would call to my master and ask him to share the joy I’m feeling.
… I would share my happiness with the ones that love me.
… I would go for walks every chance I get because I love to discover things.
… I would strut proudly as I travel, because I’m walking with my master.
… I would be sniffing side to side to make sure that I didn’t miss anything.
… I would give chase to anything that moves, not to hunt it, just to play!

But if I were a dog and I had a master who beat me or treated me badly, I would run away and look all around until I found a master who loved me for who I am. When I found him I would lick his face and cuddle with him so that he knew I loved him.

 

But since I’m not a dog, I promise to always keep these things in mind as I interact with all dogs. I also promise to look out for, and help dogs that need my help to live the life I would want … “If I Were a Dog!”

Feel Free to re-post this as long as it is done in it’s entirety

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Man: A Dog’s Worst Enemy

There is an old saying: A dog is a man’s best friends. But it can also be said: Man is a Dog’s worse enemy. When are we humans going to learn? (Present company excluded of course).

I have just spent the last hour or so reading through my Facebook Page. As a result,  I am depressed, upset and frustrated. PLEASE, don’t leave … Hear me out!

I read no less than twenty-five posted about dogs that are in high kill shelters across the Midwest. They are there only because a human has given up on them. Most of them are now in their last hours of life! Unless a miracle happens or unless someone happens to find it in their heart to help, that is. (depression)

There were also a few of those “This dog was rescued from an abusive owner” or “this dog was removed from a back yard were it was chained up with no food or shelter” kind of posts. (upset)

By the time I got through everything, two things were going through my mind! Is treating an animal with a little dignity really that tough?  Are we SO consumed with ourselves that we can’t see what we’re doing is wrong? (frustrated)

Animal abuse and neglect is a big problem. I feel that the only way it will ever stop is to educate people.That’s what groups like the Iowa Dog Trust is all about.

It cannot be denied that dogs are the most loyal living beings on earth. They stand proudly beside their humans not matter what. They are always on the lookout to protect them from any dangers that may just happen to come along. Deep down, all a dog wants to do is please it’s human. And they will protect and defend that human to the death if necessary.

So I ask you. What is wrong with these people? All that a dog asks in return is that they be given some food, water, a warm place to live and a little attention once in a while. Is that SO Hard? What ever happened to the “Golden Rule”?

But just when I thought there was no hope left … up popped a few new posts. One talked about the fact that a number of dogs had been placed in new homes today. Another post said that donations were coming in at a record pace and that the money raised would be able to help a local shelter get blankets and some other greatly needed supplies to help a lot of homeless pets over the next few months.

Cool … my faith in humanity has once again been restored. Now I’m back to the point of being optimistic! This news has given me the will and the strength to move forward.

So let me ask you a question: Is it just me? Or do you all go through this same thing?

Lastly, If you can … Please help homeless pets! And if you want to help, help by donating your time and / or your money to your LOCAL shelter or rescue. When you donate locally, you CAN really make a big difference!