THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF AN EXTREMELY DISTINGUISHED DOG

by Eugene O'Neill

I, SILVERDENE EMBLEM O'NEILL (familiarly known to my family, friends, and acquaintances as Blemie), because the burden of my years and infirmities is heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my life is near, do hereby bury my last will and testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there until after I am dead. Then, remembering me in his loneliness, he will suddenly know of this testament, and I ask him then to inscribe it as a memorial to me.
I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are wiser than men. They do not set great store upon things. They do not waste their days hoarding property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value I have to bequeath except my love and my faith. These I leave to all those who have loved me, to my Master and Mistress, who I know will mourn me most, to Freeman who has been so good to me, to Cyn and Roy and Willie and Naomi and -- But if I should list all those who have loved me, it would force my Master to write a book. Perhaps it is vain of me to boast when I am so near death, which returns all beasts and vanities to dust, but I have always been an extremely lovable dog.
I ask my Master and Mistress to remember me always, but not to grieve for me too long. In my life I have tried to be a comfort to them in time of sorrow, and a reason for added joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think that even in death I should cause them pain. Let them remember that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and this I owe to their love and care for me), now that I have grown blind and deaf and lame, and even my sense of smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my nose and I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick, bewildered humiliation. I feel life is taunting me with having over-lingered my welcome. It is time I said good-bye, before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love me. It will be sorrow to leave them, but not a sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear death as men do. We accept it as part of life, not as something alien and terrible which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows? I would like to believe with those my fellow Dalmatians who are devote Mohammedans, that there is a Paradise where one is always young and full-bladdered; where all the day one dillies and dallies with an amorous multitude of houris [lovely nymphs], beautifully spotted; where jack rabbits that run fast but not too fast (like the houris) are as the sands of the desert; where each blissful hour is mealtime; where in long evenings there are a million fireplaces with logs forever burning, and one curls oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods and dreams, remembering the old brave days on earth, and the love of one's Master and Mistress.
I am afraid this is too much for even such a dog as I am to expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long rest for weary old heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleep in the earth I have loved so well. Perhaps, after all, this is best.
One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say, "When Blemie dies we must never have another dog. I love him so much I could never love another one." Now I would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again. What I would like to feel is that, having once had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog! I have never had a narrow jealous spirit. I have always held that most dogs are good (and one cat, the black one I have permitted to share the living room rug during the evenings, whose affection I have tolerated in a kindly spirit, and in rare sentimental moods, even reciprocated a trifle). Some dogs, of course, are better than others. Dalmatians, naturally, as everyone knows, are best. So I suggest a Dalmatian as my successor. He can hardly be as well bred or as well mannered or as distinguished and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must not ask the impossible. But he will do his best, I am sure, and even his inevitable defects will help by comparison to keep my memory green. To him I bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat, made to order in 1929 at Hermes in Paris. He can never wear them with the distinction I did, walking around the Place Vendome, or later along Park Avenue, all eyes fixed on me in admiration; but again I am sure he will do his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial dog. Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of comparison, in some respects. He will, I presume, come closer to jack rabbits than I have been able to in recent years.
And for all his faults, I hereby wish him the happiness I know will be his in my old home.
One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved". No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

Something Different

In Honor of Those Lost but Never Gone

In honor of our loyal friends who have left paw prints on our hearts...

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`☆.. ♥♥ HUGS ♥♥~ ¸☆
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Rescuers Creed

I promise I will take unwanted animals.
I will heal their wounds, their diseases, their broken bones.
I will give them the medical attention they need and deserve.
I will nurture their starvation and give them a warm place to sleep.
I will spay and neuter them, vaccinate them against the diseases
that can harm them.
I will treat them and honor them.
I will buy them toys, blankets, balls, and teach them to play.
I will speak softly to them.
I will try to teach them not to fear, not to cry, and not to hate.
I will whisper sweet, kind, gentle words into their ears, while gently
trying to stroke their fear, their pain, and their scars away.
I will face their emotional scars and give them time to
overcome them.
I will socialize them, potty train them, teach them to be obedient,
show them dignity, and hold their paw and stroke their ears
if they have endured too much and walk them over the
Rainbow Bridge,
BUT most of all I will teach them LOVE.

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`☆.. ♥♥ HUGS ♥♥~ ¸☆
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Bust a Move

I Am a Rescuer

I Am An Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures

I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs

I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or selection

I have bought dog food with my last dime

I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand

I have hugged someone vicious and afraid

I have fallen in love a thousand times

And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count

I have animal friends and friends who have animal friends

I don't often use the word "pet"

I notice those lost at the road side

And my heart aches       

I will hand raise a field mouse                

And make friends with a vulture

I know of no creature unworthy of my time   

I want to live forever if there aren't any animals in Heaven

But I believe there are...          
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind

Some may think we are master of the animals
But the animals have mastered themselves

Something people still haven't learned 
War and abuse make me hurt for the world

But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind

We are a quiet but determined army

And we are making  a difference every day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan

Nothing more rewarding than saving a life

No higher recognition than watching them thrive

There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play, who only days ago, was too weak to eat

By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue

I have been rescued

I know what true, unconditional love really is
For I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many...

Grateful for so little...

I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full

Dog Lessons For People

• Run and play daily
• Love unconditionally
• Be quick to forgive
• Follow your instincts
• Be loyal and faithful
• Life is short, pet often
• Avoid biting when a growl will do
• Sometimes it's best to just sit close and listen
• Enjoy the simple pleasures of a walk
• Never underestimates the value of a belly rub
• Keep digging until you find what you want
• Accept all of life's treats with gratitude

 

♥☆¨´`'*°☆.¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.
(: ․☆´`'*¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.․:)
`☆.. ♥♥ HUGS ♥♥~ ¸☆
․ ․`'☆.¨´¸☆¨¸.¸.☆¨
․ ․ ․ ․ `'*☆.¸.☆puppy kisses! ♥     Wiggles and Wags