1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that BEFORE you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I have only YOU.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget.
7. Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't want to do that.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. NEVER say, "I can't bear to watch, or let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if YOU are there.

Written by the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center
Published by the SPCA of Pinellas County, Florida

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"But that's such a waste of time and energy! There are so many starfish, and there are miles and miles of beach. What difference does it make?"

The young man thought for a moment. He reached down to pick up a starfish and said, "It makes a difference ... to this one."

I had been called to examine a ten-year-old blue heeler named Belker. The dog's owners - Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane - were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.

I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me - I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued,"Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

DOG BED: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.

"Puppy size!" replied the mother.

"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."

"I know...we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration. Just then Danielle came walking into the office. "Well, did you find one?" asked her mom.

"No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?" The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

"You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration. "We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages.

There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said.

"No, not size -- the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!"

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Mom took me outside; we walked for a while. This never fails to make Mama smile. I sniffed of everything that we did pass. I ate something weird-it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true. He gave me so many great things to chew. Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care. What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book was sort of yummy. Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy. I threw up a bit, but that was all right. When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T.P., while running at full speed. Mom is pretty quick-but I was still in the lead. I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past. She stopped, shook her head, and breathed, "you're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!" That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning. She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord. She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore, That's when my tushy got shoved out the door. I love it inside, but outside is best. I lay in the cool grass and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do. Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe. I found an old bone and scratched at a flea. I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.

I barked at the kids when they got off the bus. I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss. I barked at the neighbor. I barked at the wind. I barked and barked till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come! I sure love my daddy; we always have fun. I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms. I woo-wooed, "Hello!" then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table-it's sooo hard to wait. Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate. I raced through the house and scattered my toys, Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse-the one I abused. Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked, "Amused??" I cowered down low. I must be in trouble. Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy. It must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV and said, "Time for bed." Dad said, "Let's go, boy," and patted my head. I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad. I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below, Then let loose a sigh-a sigh deep and low. She gave me a kiss and snuggled me tight And whispered so softly, "My darling, good night!"