(pictures taken 2004-2005)
and the lesson we can learn from them for making friends...
"Greatest winner of friends the world has ever known... When you get within ten feet of him, he will begin to wag his tail. If you stop and pat him, he will almost jump out of his skin to show you how much he likes you. And you know that behind this show of affection on his part, there are no ulterior motives. He doesn't want to sell you any real estate, and he doesn't want to marry you. Did you ever stop to think that a dog is the only animal that doesn't have to work for a living? A hen has to lay eggs, a cow has to give milk, and a canary has to sing. But a dog makes his living by giving you nothing but love."
Dale Carnegie, "How to Win Friends & Influence People"
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Courtesy: Assistance Dogs.
I Stood by Your Bed Last Night
I stood by your bed last
night, I came to have a peep. I could see
that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you
brushed away a tear, "It's me, I
haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at
breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were
thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops
today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave
today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the
house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and
sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so
near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly,
then smiled, I think you knew, in the
stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and
watch you yawning and say "good-night,
God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for
you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show
you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.