An Old Friend by constantvariable on Blogster

This post was inspired by RubyBites' post on blogger, called "Old Dogs"...

My dog Copper is a german shepard/chow chow mix, and he's fifteen years old... just a year ago, people would comment on what great shape he was in, for his age. His age has caught up with him quickly, however. He has a heart murmur because of left side heart failure and he has end stage hip displasia, partly due to his breed (both shepards and chows are prone to this) and partly due to old injuries sustained from a run in with a car when he was 2 years old. I've known him since he was a puppy and it's hard to imagine life without him... The fact that I'm a vet tech isn't helping me here... all the medication in the world isn't helping and I know that his days are numbered. All I can do for him now is make him comfortable, cherish the time I have left with him, and I know that when he doesn't want to trot after the squirrels or play with his toys that the time has come. At the clinic I work at, we have one room that is designated for animals that are being put to sleep. The reason being is that this room is also used for animals with contagious diseases and the likelyhood of the owner ever having to be in that room again is very low. We have a plaque on the wall with a poem by Albert Schweitzer called "A Prayer For Animals". The fisrt time I read it, it brought tears to my eyes, and I want to share it with you.

"A Prayer For Animals"
by albert schweitzer
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

-Asa

p.s. there is a picture of copper, in his younger days and one of him now, in my picture gallery

4 comments on An Old Friend

sumkindabich said 2 years ago
[THUMBUP][THUMBUP] Great poem![SMILE]
constantvariable said 2 years ago
albert schweitzer is an awesome guy... [SMILE]
lunarhunk said 2 years ago
I feel for you, Asa. Dogs have always played an important part in my life. My thoughts will be with you. The poem really hits things perfectly!
AJ
greatmartin said 2 years ago
There is another poem about pets who die that is just as beautiful--something about a 'rainbow bridge'--I'll have to see if I can find it.
I'm sure Copper has been very lucky to have you as his 'slave' (aren't most of us slaves to our pets?--they rule!) and I am sure his 'paying' you with a wag of the tail, bringing you joy when you enter your home, just being Copper is more than you ever expected.[THUMBUP]