General articles of interest

General Articles of Interest

Irish Dog Pounds

WARNING: This video clip contains scenes which may be distressing and upsetting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6xI7xt99zA&

The Danger of Ice
Posted by: Jemima Harrison

Fri Feb 6, 2009 11:43 am (PST)
We had a very sad phone call this morning from the family who adopted this
gorgeous setter/spaniel x boy from us last year:

http://www.blackretrieverx.co.uk/Scamp.html

Out on a walk this morning, Scamp ran onto a frozen lake, fell through theice and drowned. His owners called me utterly distraught.

A reminder of just how very dangerous ice can be.

Jemima

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Authored by Richard A. Biby