Casper Born: 10-22-2007 Dog Haiku I love my master Thus I perfume myself with This long-rotten squirrel I lie belly-up In the sunshine, happier than You ever will be How do I love thee? The ways are numberless as My hairs on the rug My human is home! I am so ecstatic I have Made a puddle I am your best friend Now, always, and especially When you are eating ~Author Unknown~ Here in this house...... Here in this house...... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted. Here in this house... There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it! Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame. Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch... knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs. Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home. How to Make a Puppy Pie Take one puppy, roll and play until lightly pampered, then add the following ingredients: 1 cup patience 1 cup understanding 1 pinch correction 1 cup hard work 2 cups praise 1 1/2 cups fun Blend well... Heat with warmth of your heart until raised or until puppy has doubled in size. Mix with owner until consistency is such that owner and puppy are one. Enjoy! "If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." Page made with Love by Auntie Joddie:)