Here in This House

This was sent to one of my training email lists.  It is so touching, I want the world to see
it!  Warning, have your tissues handy!

Author is sadly unknown.

Here in this house....

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.  I can
sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.  I will never know
hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.  I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary
from the heat.  I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell
all that can reach my nose.  My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.  I will be talked to and, even
if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.  I will be given a name so that
I may know who I am among many.  My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of
it!

Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.  I will never be used to improve
peoples' images of themselves.  I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea
of who I should be.  I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.  I
will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.  If I do not learn my lessons
well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch, knowing that, no matter what they do, they
do it for the good of me.  If I am ill, I will be doctored.  If scared, I will be calmed.  If
sad, I will be cheered.  No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and
known to be of value.  I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or
not cute enough.  My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.  I will learn that
humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home.
Puppy, Please! Dog Training, LLC ~ www.puppyplease.com ~ (603)261-9283