I can’t take credit for what you’re about to read. I found it somewhere online a year or so ago, and I just love it. When you read it from your dog’s point of view, it’s really quite touching – and excellent rules for all of us to remember when it comes to our pets. I’d love it if you’d share this with your friends, especially anyone who’s considering getting a dog!
- My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Please be willing to make that commitment to me. Any separation from you will be very painful.
- Give me time to understand what you want of me.
- Place your trust in me – it is crucial for my well-being.
- Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I HAVE ONLY YOU.
- Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.
- Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll NEVER forget it.
- Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
- Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
- Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
- Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, “I can’t bear to watch it” or, “Let it happen in my absence.” Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.
And if I may be so bold as to add another one, it would be this:
11. If you start thinking you no longer want me, remember that you’re the only family I’ve ever known and losing you will break my heart. But if you must “get rid” of me, please take the time to find a safe, loving home for me. Don’t let me end up in a shelter where I probably won’t survive. Don’t give me away for free on Craiglist to someone whose intentions may not be good. I deserve for you to find a loving family for me.
Christina Berry says
August 20, 2012 at 2:45 pmMe too, Jennifer! Thanks for stopping by! Much appreciated! 🙂
ItsFitting says
August 20, 2012 at 2:46 pmThis totally made me cry. It’s so true though… they really just want to be LOVED.
Christina Berry says
August 20, 2012 at 2:46 pmAbsolutely! I wish more people would remember that!
Thanks for visiting today! I appreciate it so much! 🙂
Christina Berry says
August 20, 2012 at 2:46 pmI completely agree, Victoria! I’d live in my car with my dog, rather than give her up. And that’s because I know she loves me and I love her, and we’re better together than apart! Thanks for visiting my blog today!
Victoria Fryer says
August 20, 2012 at 2:46 pmI love these commandments, especially the 11th one you added. I know that people have a lot of situations come up in their lives, but I find it difficult (if not impossible) to understand when someone would willingly let go of one of their furry family members.
Jennifer Richardson says
August 20, 2012 at 2:47 pmoh my heart….this is so sweet
and how I wish
every dog owner would read
and honor.
-Jennfier
Nicole says
August 20, 2012 at 2:48 pmEven though I do not have any pets, I couldn’t agree with this more. Well said.
Morgan says
November 26, 2012 at 3:37 pmThis brought tears to my eyes. I will most likely get a Pit one day and it will be the most caring, friendly, and best friend any person can have.
APRIL says
February 9, 2018 at 5:25 amWow!!and yes you will see how AMAZING PITTS REALLY ARE LOL.I am a LUCKY person I RESCUED my pitt,and I can really say that I did a wonderful thing for my pitt and have him a chance at life.my pitt is a 8 month old red nose and to tell you the truth,I HONESTLY would of NEVER of would think about owning a pitt bull from what I had heard that they are all bad from turning on their owners to bring fighting dogs ect..so I never would even haven a pitt a chance i am one of them girls that would get like a teacup yorkie or a shortie or even to a boxer and that would be it.but a friend of mine had rescued two pitt bulls the pitt I have now and his sister from a place where they had pitt bull fights I guess and my dog was going to be the BAIT Dog,so a friend of mine had gotten him and his sister but unfortunately her brother started to abuse the little guy,so I get a call asking if I wanted a 8 month old pitt red nose and I was like no way but there was NO WAY I WOULD BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING that this poor pitt was being beaten every day right, so I said go ahead bring him over and once he got here I swear I was gonna go koo koo in 2 seconds lol and then once I got him to settle down maybe 3 hrs later lol.I knew my work was cut out for me.and I have had him for almost 2 weeks and this dog is so unique i swear he is like a INFANT he whines when I put him out side and if I am gone he is crying like a BABY!! But when I get close to him he is so happy he jumps up on me and I want him to stop so bad but I figure some good training and ALOT OF PATIENCE I am going to have to have just as if I have a teal baby infant.i only have 1 child and now I got 2 lol.But I can HONESTLY SAY HE IS FAMILY NOW,AND I WOULDNT GIVE HIM UP FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD!!HOPEFULLY THE DOG FOR YOU WILL COME FIND YOU 2 SOON.
TruckersMom says
December 3, 2015 at 12:26 pmIt is all this and more. Coming from a pet parent who has a newly adopted pack member with a lot of baggage following him. He has a long road to ahead of him to recovery and rehabilitation. Trucker, by nature as a Redbone Coonhound, took everything his previous “owner” (Abuser) did personally and now everyday since he chose me as the one person he could come out of his shell for I am fighting to help him understand that the world is a good place. It is not just me placing my trust in him but him placing his trust in me, not just the total year commitment but the daily time commitment to build up that trust. I have to remind myself to use my “neutral” voice at all times because when he is scared and shivering in a corner I find myself feeling sorry for him and wanting to hurt who did this to my baby, but I know that I must maintain my confident voice and manner at all times and never let it waiver for HIM. so I guess my thought was I agree but I think it is much more and probably some more important ones like Remember that I need your strength to guide me.