Giz/Emma and everyones pets on the board

George Vest's tribute to a dog
I never knew the name of the man who wrote this before but I do know the story behind it: It is from a speech made in 1870, when the man's dog, a foxhound named Drum was shot. His owner sued the man who shot Drum. There was no evidence even, but after he finished his speech, the jury was in tears. They fined the man $500, even though the maximum fine was $150.

It is claimed that George Vest was a 19th century lawyer defending a client.

Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son and daughter that he has reared with loving care may become ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him when he may need it most. Man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees and do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our head.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his DOG. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground,where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the cold, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard him against danger, and to fight against his enemies. When the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

-Senator George Vest, 1870.

 

Oh, that will bring on the tears over here.

 

That is so frustrating and scary that they can't figure out Blondie's issue.

 

I was thinking of Blondie last night, hoping she was doing better. Well that hope has been dashed this morning and I am super sorry to hear that.

 

So sorry to read this H. We had a rough time making the decision for Sandy too. But... we didn't have (imo) a far more important set of issues to deal with at the same time... namely our health issues. I hope you put your's at the top of your long priority list of "things", and can find peace knowing Blondie has had a great life with you 3. Good luck. Lots of love from Vicki and I...

 

You have to take care of yourself and the people in your life first, granted Blondie is a person of the dog variety for you. Still. Letting her go seems like the kindest thing for everyone.

 

It is a hard decision to make. I think Midwinter is right. We all have been in your shoes about deciding when is the right time and for most of us, we didn't have the additional complications in our lives.

 

damm wildwest. That's terrible to hear.

 

I have noticed that dogs on Prednisone are always thirsty and hungry too. They can get a bladder infection as well. When she was a year old, we nearly lost Cricket to a mistake by a vet in overdosing with Prednisone.

 

Sorry to hear about all the health problems with yourself and Blondie.


Remember to take care of yourself, it can become easy to overdo things.

Wishing the best.

 

This is a fine place to hang out...

 

Glad at least some of my advice has been helpful I've had plenty of experience with animals who did everything imaginable to avoid having an accident of any kind on any surface other than carpet/area rug .

 

Back to the vet today, the knee swelled up and he was back to being three legged.

Vet took some fluid and will culture it to see if it's a bacterial infection or just a seroma, which is just fluid build up, she said sometimes it just happens, put him on antibiotics anyway.