I came across this last week via a friend on facebook (Thanks Timmy!) I’ve seen a lot of things in all my years surfing the internet and receiving e-mails but I’ve never seen this.
As soon as I read it I thought, this should go to every person who adopts from a shelter, pound or rescue; and breeders and (*shudders*) pet stores should include it with their puppies as well.
While I was searching for the rightful owner in order to give credit where credit is due; I found a beautiful website where you can leave tribute (at no cost) to your best friend who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. (I was too chicken to read any of them!) Michael (the website creator) describes it like this: This site is a little piece of cyberspace devoted to some of our temporarily lost ‘Best Friends’.
The credit for The 10 Commandments from a pet’s point of view goes to Stan Rawlinson.
- My life is likely to last 10-15 years; any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.
- Give me time to understand what you want from me; don’t be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.
- Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back.
- Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.
- Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.
- Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.
- Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it, and if it’s cruel, it may affect me forever.
- Please don’t hit me. I can’t hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don’t ever want to do that.
- Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right foods or I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.
- Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.
- Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, “I can’t bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence”. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Mr. Rawlinson’s website says it can be shared if you give credit and link back to him.
Please note, I am not endorsing Mr. Rawlinson; I am simply giving him credit for his work.
Jodi, thanks for sharing this. It is just what one would think a pet would want their families to know. That just gave me a lump in my throat and teary eyes.
I had the same reaction Maryann; I think they are words to live by. 🙂
I agree with Maryann thanks Jodi! I love the talk to me part
I always talk to S & D! LOL imagine my surprise the day they answer me. 🙂
Jodi thanx for sharing this, I have seen it before and it is really wonderful.
One of my friends I camp with commented to me last year “I heard you in your tent last night carrying on a converstion when I realized you were talking to your girl’s, I think that is so cute”.
I apprently do this a lot and don’t even realize it, they are such a big part of my life and just as it says I can tell by their adoring eyes they are listening even if they can’t answer or comment.
I love that you talk to the girls Misty; I talk to my guys too and I love how they look at me and look intently in my eyes; sometimes I know they know what I am saying!!
I think they know also 🙂
Thanks Jodi! I love this & of course, cried when I read it! & I’m going to check out that website & give it to my cousin who just lost her “best friend”.
I cried too! 🙂 I bet there are some beautiful tributes up there. Please send my condolences to your cousin.
Thank you for sharing this, I didnt know about it. Wow I get teary eyed with this sort of stuff.
Me too Kari, I wish everyone could feel this the way we do; the world would be a much better place.
Cool stuff Ive got a lovely dog who makes us smile with his cheeky antics x
Well my dogs are definitely cheeky. 🙂
Ok, thanks for posting this and thanks for letting me know that you know others who cried over this. 😀 Next time I get aggrivated with Ginger’s chewing, I’ll remember this. xoxo Laura H
She WILL get better Laura, just think about how new and different everything is for her. Think of it like she is a baby, some babies (I call them ‘old souls’) just take everything in stride. Other babies (‘new souls’) have to experience everything! They put everything in there mouths, they crawl around exploring etc….you have a new soul in your house, it will take some time and you showing her what it is that you expect from her. I would also recommend taking some obedience classes with her. 😉
Wow. Brought tears to my eyes. Well said and I am glad you shared it. : )
Thank you, I definitely felt it was worth sharing.
Thanks for sharing this Jodi. It’s an important reminder.
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I love love the 10 commandments. I get teary eyed every time I read it.
I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before!
That was so beautiful, it made me tear up!
Me too honey. 🙂
oh crap you made me cry! and it was even more touching with the photo of your dogs at the end!
Hey, didn’t you send me a youtube link today that made me cry? LOL It was touching. 🙂
I so wish that everyone would read this and keep it in mind–It’s great advice and when you have a dog (or a cat) these are words to remember and live by!
I do have to say that it’s a timely post, if you get a moment, read my post today…
Kim, I check your blog everyday! It is one I cannot wait to devour and I have to say, it made me furious today! I’m sorry you and Sheba had to go through that, I hope you never have to have a vet appointment with that woman again!
A very nice list. We talk to our animals all of the time. In fact before Thunder goes to the line at hunt tests, his handler always has a good long talk with him while in the holding blind. The one time he ran first and there was no time for “the talk”, Thunder was sort of a mess. I think the one on trust is important too. It sure applied to our field training. Once there was mutual trust between Thunder and his handler, all the blind work just fell into place.