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Do you remember thinking it
was time that the kids learned some responsibility and scanning
the newspaper ads for a cheap dog for sale?
Do you remember bringing home this little ball of shivering fur
and putting her out in the yard on a chain that was too heavy
on a night that was too cold?
Of course you don't remember this. After all, she is only a dog.
Do you remember this baby crying
because she was afraid and alone?
Do you remember screaming at her to be quiet and finally going
out there to kick her to drive home the lesson?
Of course you don't remember this. After all, she is only a dog.
Do you remember the many times
you noticed her water bowl was empty and her food bowl was covered
with mold and thinking that it was the kids' job to take care
of her?
Do you remember seeing that her coat was dull and lifeless and,
in many places, chewed away down to the skin because of the parasites
no one took the time to rid her of?
Of course you don't remember this. After all, she is only a dog.
Do you remember her first heat
and the neighbor's male visiting her night after night?
Do you remember thinking that letting her have the puppies would
be a good experience for the kids?
Do you remember that every one of those pups died because their
mother was no more than a puppy herself?
Of course you don't remember this. After all, she is only a dog.
I know you remember the animal
control officer coming to the house, accusing you of animal cruelty
and taking her away because you couldn't understand what all
the fuss was about.
After all, she is only a dog.
I thought you might be interested
in how this girl is doing today. You see, once she found a home
that gave her love, attention and proper care, she blossomed
into a beautiful, loyal companion.
To these people, she is much more than only a dog.
She became a therapy dog and
now goes to nursing homes and hospices where she brightens the
lives of the infirm and dying. To some of these people, she has
given hope. To others, she's given them a reason to keep living.
To even others, she's given them the will to die peacefully,
with a smile on their lips.
To these people, she is much more than only a dog.
Just last week, she helped find
a little boy that was lost in the woods. She spent a long, cold
winter's night, lying over him to keep him warm and risked her
own life to protect his.
To this little boy and his family, she is much more than only
a dog.
What is the difference? Why
did that filthy, flea ridden animal chained in your backyard
suddenly become so important to so many? Because she never gave
up her trust in people and she never once thought,
"After all, he is only a human."
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You will be
sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand,