"...The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that 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 wintry 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 wounds and sores that come in encounters 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 its journey through the heavens.
If fortune 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 him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its 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."
George Graham Vest - c. 1855
How sad. I've always enjoyed your dog's big-nosed portait on your posts. Our dogs are now getting pretty old... and, although I don't even want to think of it, I suspect I'll be saying goodbye to the older one in a couple of years.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow "dog guy," you have my heartfelt sympathies. "The only mistake God ever made was making a dog’s life too short."
ReplyDeleteHere, here. They are the most wonderful of animals.
ReplyDeleteZeke was a wonderful dog. He'll be missed at the gaming table.
ReplyDeleteThank you all.It was time, though. He was 14 1/2 and his system was just worn out. He could barely walk or take in food/fluids. He was home and we were all with him when the vet came. It was peaceful and painless (for him) and we buried him with the words above read over him.
ReplyDeleteI have owned dogs all my life, boy and man. He was the kindest soul I have ever met. I am proud to have known him and called him friend.