1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me -- it is crucial to my well being.

4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.

5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.

6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.

7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.

8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.

9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting too old and weak.

10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: “I cannot bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.

I found this and thought I would share to remind us all to treasure the humans and dogs in our life 🙂

So true yet some people don't understand a dog. They get them and actually pay no attention to them and wonder why they behave bad or destructive. Dogs are pack animals and humans are their pack. They get depressed if you keep them alone for long. The only animal that loves you more than they love themselves. They love to walk which they do in the wild everyday. Walking calm them and keeps them happy. I lost my little girl in September from kidney failure and now deal with her big brother pushing 15. They been together since puppies and he misses her and goes out to her grave everyday on our property and sniffs around and have caught him laying there at times. He watched me bury her so he knows she is there. Never let a vet say step out and I can put her down. They want you there holding them until their last breath. My vet says to me if you want 5 minutes to say goodbye then you can step out. I said no I will hold her until your done. I can't imagine the look on her face laying there scared with strangers and me walking out. Nope not me.

Lucy was our rescue too. She was a border collie/ Australian Cattle Dog Mix. We adopted her fifteen years ago. She would take us to nursing homes, hospices and hospitals. She made a lot of people happy. She loved attention and loved being around us humans. She loved mushy bananas, belly rubs and long car rides. She could chase (and catch) squirrels without batting an eye. Sadly, we had to let her cross the Rainbow Bridge in February. It was very upsetting for us all because she never complained and told us what she wanted whether it would be ear scratches or leg rubs or something to snack on.

So true yet some people don't understand a dog. They get them and actually pay no attention to them and wonder why they behave bad or destructive. Dogs are pack animals and humans are their pack. They get depressed if you keep them alone for long. The only animal that loves you more than they love themselves. They love to walk which they do in the wild everyday. Walking calm them and keeps them happy. I lost my little girl in September from kidney failure and now deal with her big brother pushing 15. They been together since puppies and he misses her and goes out to her grave everyday on our property and sniffs around and have caught him laying there at times. He watched me bury her so he knows she is there. Never let a vet say step out and I can put her down. They want you there holding them until their last breath. My vet says to me if you want 5 minutes to say goodbye then you can step out. I said no I will hold her until your done. I can't imagine the look on her face laying there scared with strangers and me walking out. Nope not me.