Ten Commandments
for You and Your Paws
1. I will most likely live to be 10-15
years; any separation from you will be very painful.
(Be committed when you take me home)
2. Give me time to understand what you
want from me. Don’t break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience will teach me
more effectively.
(I will always be a toddler in a human respect)
3. Please have me spayed or neutered.
(I do not have to have puppies/kittens to live long and be healthy)
4. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend,
for no heart in the entire world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don’t stay angry with me, and don’t
lock me up for punishment. After all, you have your job, friends and your entertainment. I have only you.
(Take
the time to train me; I only want to please you.)
5. Speak to me often. I may not understand
your words; but I do however understand your voice when it’s speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever
hear, as you know by my enthusiasm whenever I hear your footsteps.
(Look
in my eyes when you speak, you will know)
6. Take me in when it’s cold/hot
or wet. I’m a domestic animal and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for more then your gentle hands
petting me. Keep my water & food fresh. I want to stay healthy so that I may romp and play and do your bidding. By your
side, I stand ready, willing and able to share my life with you, for that is what I live for. I’ll never forget how
well you’ve treated me.
(A well balanced food will keep me young and strong)
7. Please don’t hit or kick me. I
choose not to bite you, because I trust you.
(Don’t take your anger out on me, I am only here to serve & love you)
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or
uncooperative, ask yourself if something may be wrong with me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food. I’ve been out
in the cold/heat too long. Maybe I am just getting older and my heart may be getting weak.
(Take me to the Vet for regular care and checkups)
9. Take care of me as I grow old, for you
will get old too.
(I may need more love and attention, watch over me)
10. When I am old, or when I no longer
enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun and may be in extreme pain. Just
see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. Please be with me on that difficult journey when it’s time to say goodbye.
I know it will be hard for you to watch, but everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing
that with my last breath my fate was always safest in you arms, I always loved you