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For Dog Lovers
Okay, I know this is not fly fishing related. However, there have been threads about dogs and many here have mentioned the close relationships and bonds they have/had with theirs. So this may be of interest.
I recently finished reading the book, WAR DOGS: A History of Loyalty and Heroism. In the Epilogue is a piece by an unknown author titled ?The Creation of Man?s Best Friend?:
God summoned a beast from the field, and He said,
?Behold man is created in My image. Therefore adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go-even into civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, and his slave.
?To do these things, I endow you with the instincts uncommon to other beasts: Faithfulness, Devotion, and Understanding, surpassing those of man himself. Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Speak to your master only with your mind and through your honest eyes.
?Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway; ward off his enemies; carry his burden; share his affections; love and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants-which shall be only food, shelter, and affection.
?So be silent and be a friend of man. Guide him through the perils along the way to this land I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality?
The dog heard and was content.
A little P.S.: A few thousand dogs served in Vietnam. None came home!
Allan
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http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif Well, that pretty well describes my dog in a nutshell. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif
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Official Flyfishing gear tester. Liscense # OUC-I12-JC
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A long time ago when the earth was young everyone lived together, hunted together, fished together, played together.
One day the Great Spirit came by and called all the people together. He said, ?Now listen up!?, and as He spoke he drew a long line in the sand. He then said, ?I want all of you that call yourself mankind to step to this side of the line.? When all had done so, He said, ?I want all of you who call yourself critterkind to step to that side of the line.?, and all did so. The Great Spirit then said, ?From now, this is how it shall be.?
He raised his arms and a mighty thunder rolled across the land. The line in the sand became a crack in the earth that reached to its very center and grew wider and ever wider, forever seperating critter from man.
As the earth continued to split, a great howling could be heard. A sound so loud the Great Spirit covered his ears, and for an instant the earth stood still. The sound was man calling for dog, and dog calling for man, for they could not be apart. In that instant, before the distance was to great, dog jumped across to be with man, and this is how it shall be.
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Great stuff guys, really. Thanks for the posts.
Mark
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I'd rather be in Wyoming!
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no matter where it is or whose it is, I dearly love dogs. They are all that is described above and become as much a part of the family as is possible. Somewhere, I read something about dogs that has stayed with me a long long time, and I only wish I could remember from whom it came. But this statement stood out and I like to remember it every time I have my 2 "boys" around...
"I just want to be half the man my dogs think I am".........
Thanks tyflies and splitditch, you sure have brought a wonderful end to a very long day....
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My dog was truly my best friend.
I miss him!
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Joe
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Way to go folks! All I can say is, EXCELLANT!
Neat reads, wish I could contribute. I hope there is more!
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Land Em',
Carp
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A good friend found a dog. He took it home and made her his dog. Her name is Mandy and she will actually smile at people she knows!
Yes smile! When she sees me it's a couple of woofs and a smile! Sort of a "Hi Jack glad to see ya"!
My friend is in an ICU in very bad shape. The family visited him Sunday with "Mandy" (now a dog in a hospital was unheard of not too long ago!!). That evening they removed the tubes and he ate his first solid food in days! Do you think "His Dog" had a hand in his road to recovery? I do?
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I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Cactus AKA "Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)"
[This message has been edited by Jack Hise (edited 18 July 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Jack Hise (edited 18 July 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Jack Hise (edited 18 July 2005).]
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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 then
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 do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready and able to
protect your 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
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Dear Board,
Great stuff. Here's one from Rudyard Kipling in memory of those dogs who have passed on.
Four Feet
I have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can't forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.
Day after day, the whole day through --
Wherever my road inclined --
Four-feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.
Now I must go by some other round, --
Which I shall never find --
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.
Regards,
Tim Murphy