Members of the Family

What would I do without you,

My precious furry friend?

Part mischief, but all blessing,

And faithful to the end!

You look at me with eyes of love;

You never hold a grudge…

You think I’m far too wonderful

To criticize or judge.

It seems your greatest joy in life

Is being close to me…

I think God knew how comforting

Your warm, soft fur would be.

I know you think you’re human,

But I’m glad it isn’t true…

The world would be a nicer place

If folks were more like you.

A few short years are all we have;

One day we’ll have to part…

But you, my pet, will always have

A place within my heart.

Hope Harrington Kolb

If I Didn’t Have Dogs

• I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety
• My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated
• All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair
• When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel
• I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable
• I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree – dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, and treats. Nor would I have to explain to people why I have to wrap them
• I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation
• I would not be on a first-name basis with 4 veterinarians, as I put their unborn grand kids through college
• The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE
• My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates and barriers
• My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere
• My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash
• I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, or R-I-D-E
• I would not have as many leaves inside my house as outside
• I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much
• I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading “muddy” season
• I would not have to answer the question “Why do you have so many animals?” from people who do not have the joy in their lives knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get

If I didn’t have dogs… How empty my life would be!