"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

We currently have 2 pets.

 Radar is a 17 year old cat we have had since he was 6 weeks old. 

He is a real daddy's boy and the most affectionate cat I have ever known.  

RADAR

This is mostly how he looks......

We also have a 9 year old Shih Tzu named Sam.  Sam is a momma's boy. 

SAM    

Sam is a very special dog.  My husband gave him to me as a wedding anniversary present, and I have to say he is the best present I have ever received.  I have never been as close to an animal as I am to Sam.  He is very smart, he housebroke very easily as a puppy, obeys commands without a leash, loves to travel, rarely barks, and loves people and other animals.  He understands a vocabulary of about 50 words and is very concerned with my feet.  

I am a barefoot kind of person.  I never wear shoes at home.  I only put shoes on if I am going to leave the house and Sam realized this when he was a very young puppy.  When he walks into a room, the first thing he checks out is my feet.  If I am barefoot he finds a place to lay down and nap.  But, he seems to be able to hear me put shoes on no matter where he is in the house or outside.  He runs to me and looks at my feet and then at my face, back to my feet, then back to my face.  I know what he wants to know.  Is he going with me?  If I tell him "you stay here and I will be back in a minute," then he sits and looks pitiful, but he knows he is not going. and he doesn't even attempt to.  But if I say, "do you want to go bye-bye?"  and jumps into the car the second I open the door, immediately gets into the back seat and will not get out.  He is a fascinating animal and a great companion.  I love him very much.

A DOG'S PRAYER

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements, and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest... and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

by  Beth  Harris

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