Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. It is heartwarming to know that I am not the only one who is such a big softie. Wish I knew how to put a pic on but just picture a minature Lassie. Thanks again to all. We have treasured your comments…Warm regards, Bob
Read this somewhere years ago and saved it for moments like this…
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.
–Beth Norman Harris
Sorry for your loss. You’re better for having loved.
So, Mr. FTG, you ain’t so tough afterall. A wonderful plea from our Best Friend. I’ll post it in the proper places around our sphere of influence.
Thanks…I love it.
Still miss my dogs though.
Snow on the roof but with fire still in the hearth
Shhh. Don’t tell anyone that I’m a softie!
The title comes from a fella that I and two buddies of mine used to see fishing @ Russell Station up in Rochester, NY. He was a silver-haired fella with a mouth like a pistol. SO we called him Mister Fishing Toughguy, and since then the name has carried with it a challenge of sorts: my two buddies and I “compete” (though it’s not an active endeavor) for the title of “MFTG,” or “Mr. Fishing Toughguy,” which is generally bestowed upon the gent who travels the farthest and garners the best catch in any given year. I believe this began in the 1990s, and it continues to this day.
We shared the honor of MFTG '02, when we got our butts out to Yellowstone and caught so many cutthroats we couldn’t keep count - after only the first hour on the Lake!!!
Since then it’s been distributed somewhat lop-sidedly this way, as they’re both orthopedic surgery residents and I’m a post-doctoral cancer researcher (yeah, so I don’t make as much $$$, but I do a decent duty and have plenty of time left to fish!). How do we post pictures of our catch on here?
Marty, MFTG lifetime
ToughGuy,
You will have to first prepare your pictures by reducing them to a suitable size and compress the file. 500 pixels or less in width and a file size under 50K would work well. Large pictures stretch the page and cause long load times for those with dial up.
After that, upload your pictures to your own personal web site or one of the free photo album sites. Copy the proper link to your picture.
Then if you travel to the top of the page and garner the information in the link “UBB code” you will learn how to put the link in your posting so the picture will display.
Joe
[This message has been edited by flyfisherjoe (edited 04 August 2005).]