DOGS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

Great and decidedly unsentimental minds from the past have found it unthinkable that the "pearly gates" should slam shut in the faces of furry, four-legged arrivals.

James Thurber:   "If I have beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I know will go to heaven and very, very few persons!"

Mark Twain:  "Heaven goes by favour.  If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in."

Edwin Landseer (19th century animal artist):    "There is in every animal's eye a dim image and gleam of humanity; a flash of strange light through which their lives look out and up to our great mystery of command over them, and claims the fellowship of the creature, if not of the soul."

Albert Schweitzer:  "This question of animal immortality is difficult to settle.   Surely, if people have souls, animals must also, for the Divine Spark, which is within all living beings, culminates in spiritual union and harmony.   One thing, however, is certain:  In order to find out, you have to have one yourself!"

Nathaniel Hawthorne (from his American Notebooks in 1865):  "The survival of death as a reward for the misfortunes of life cannot be considered unless the animal world shares this gift."

Shelley:  "The psychological and moral comfort of a presence at once humble and understanding is the greatest benefit that the dog has bestowed upon mankind."

The three wise men were supposedly accompanied by a trio of faithful dogs, Cubilon, Lubina and Melampo, on their trek to the manger; and folklore has it that any dog now bearing one of these names will be forever blessed.

St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, originated the beloved tradition of the nativity display.  St Francis believed the holiness of Christmas mandated more attention to the plight of unfortunate animals.  He persuaded the Roman emperor  to enact a law against the abuse of animals.   St Francis also initiated a plan whereby animal "hostels" were set up to house and feed stray dogs.

Lazarus, according to the gospel of Luke, weak, starving and covered with sores, was cruelly ignored by his fellow men;  only a dog brought him crumbs from the table and licked his wounds clean.

The blind St. Hervaeus was patiently and faithfully guided down life's path by a tame wolf (the dog's ancestor) in much the manner of a seeing-eye dog of today!

The ancient Toltecs believed the love of a dog for his master is the most perfect demonstration of love.  Their belief was that when a person died the only spirit to accompany them to the mysterious afterlife was that of the faithful dog.

Solomon:  "They all have one breath, so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast."

The word of God: "The animals shall be delivered from the bondage of man's corruption and into the glorious liberty of God!"

de Lamartin:  Whenever a man is unhappy, god sends him a dog!"

 

                                              Poetic Love for his Friend

The poet and literary giant George Gordon, the sixth Lord Byron, was born in London, England on Jan. 22, 1788.   Throughout his short, dynamic and controversial life, one thing remained constant ---  his great love of animals.

Shelley, fellow poet and friend to Byron, once wrote after a visit with his friend, that he counted "ten horses, eight enormous dogs, three monkeys, five cats, an eagle, a crow and a falcon" on his property in Italy.

Byron's most beloved dog, a black and white Newfoundland named Boatswain, died at five years of age after having contracted a painful bout of rabies.   The bereaved poet, who had maintained a constant nursing vigil, buried his pet in a garden tomb at Newstead Abbey (Byron's inherited estate).  Byron requested that when he died, he be laid to rest next to Boatswain.

                                              Byron's Epitaph to Boatswain

Near this spot are deposited the Remains

Of one who possessed Beauty Without Vanity,

Strength Without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man Without his Vices,

This Praise, which would be unmeaning flattery

If inscribed over Human Ashes,

Is but a just tribute to the Memory of 

"Boatswain", a dog,

Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803.

And died at Newstead Abbey, Nov. 18, 1808

When some proud son of man returns to earth,

Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,

The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe,

And storied urns record who rests below;

When all is done, upon the tomb is seen,

Not what he was, but what he should have been;

But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend,

The first to welcome, foremost to defend,

Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 

Who labours, fights, lives, breathes, for him alone,

Unhonoured, falls, unnoticed  all his worth,

Denied in heaven, the soul he held on earth;

While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,

And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.

Oh man!  thou tenant of an hour 

Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power,

Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,

Degraded mass of animated dust!

Thy love is lust, they friendship all a cheat,

Thy smiles hypocrisy, they words deceit

By nature vile, ennobled but by name

Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.

Ye!  who perchance behold this simple urn,

Pass on ---- it honours none you wish to mourn.

To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;

I never knew but one---and here he lies.                        Byron

Lord Byron died of fever on April 19,1824 at Missolonghi, Greece, while fighting for Greek independence from Turkey.

Boatswain's collar cherished and preserved, was found among his meagre possessions.   

Lord Byron was laid to rest in the Byron family vault at Hucknall Torckard, near Newstead, on July 12,1824.

Euthanasia

Sadly, many dog owners must face this option when their faithful companion's health deteriorates due to illness or old age.

They trusted you to take care of their health and well-being all these years.   Now, they are trusting you to  take care of them in their pain and misery.

How can you say good-bye?

They have been your shadow, your welcome-home committee, your sympathiser and your best friend.

The one who alerted you when those thieves tried to steal your car.   The one who laid with you in silent vigil when you were so sick a few years ago.

The veterinarian said it would be the right thing to do, but the decision had to be yours.

One day follows another, whilst blindly thinking, he seems a little better today;  not wanting to face the inevitable solution, not wanting to "let go".

Your worst fear comes true.   Laying at your feet is your beloved who cannot muster the strength to rise up and go with you this time.   Looking at those pain-stricken eyes, you pick up the phone and call the veterinarian.   You hear yourself say  "Can it be done today, soon?"

Gently, you pick up this old bundle of fur you love so much and wrap a blanket snugly around that frail body.

The trip to the veterinarian's office seems to take hours;  your loyal buddy laying limp at your side.  You are afraid to speak as the tears might start and you must not arrive at the veterinarian's office out of control.

Choking back the tears, you enter the waiting room, your best buddy in all the world clutched in your arms.   The veterinarian carefully introduces the drug that will take away the pain and you watch those faithful eyes fade, as the spirit moves towards the Rainbow Bridge.  

Holding for a long last hug, you have decided to have that little body cremated and leave to await his ashes to come back to you soon.

When you arrive back home, the silent emptiness inside is unbearable.   Your baby is gone and you did it.

The guilt and sorrow take over and you break down and weep for a long time.

The grief you suffer over the loss of a dear and loyal furry friend may continue for weeks, months or even years.   Everyone deals with grief differently.

                                                                ..........

Dealing with the pain and loneliness after the loss of a beloved pet is a very real and traumatic experience that only animal lovers can comprehend.

Some grieving owners will obtain a new pet immediately to fill the empty spot in their hearts and homes.   Others may be so stricken by the loss they will never leave themselves open to this kind of pain in the future.  Seeking out other animal lovers and "talking out" these feelings can be therapeutic in itself.

Death is inevitable in this life, but the spirit lives on in our hearts and minds.   Preparing for the death of a dearly loved pet can in some cases assuage the pain felt after the fact.

Once your dear one reaches a certain age and you begin to notice a slowing, think about what life will be like without them.  Think about euthanasia, natural death at home, burial or cremation, typically the final step for all living creatures.

Burial serves the psychological needs of those left behind as a kind of "going away" ceremony and, no matter how difficult it may be to accomplish, it is the beginning of the healing process. 

A grave-site should be considered ahead of time.  Perhaps their favourite spot in the garden where they patiently take in the sunshine whilst you work in the garden.   A gathering of their friends and family to wish them a safe journey perhaps.   Others who feel embarrassed showing their emotions, may choose a solo affair or a cremation and a memorial set up in their living room.

Whatever you choose, think it out well ahead of time.   Your dearest little mate deserves a suitable resting place with a loving "send-off".   There is a lot of comfort in believing in the Rainbow Bridge where you will meet again and go together into Heaven.

Writing an epitaph, a story expressing your feelings of loneliness and heartbreak you are experiencing  

or if you are on the internet, getting involved with Groups such as one provided by American Kennel Club Pet Loss Support Group, where you can talk with members who themselves, are feeling so much heartache.    

There is no worse pain one has to endure than the loss of a beloved pet.

In loving memory of  Aus. Ch Nantiki Hop Topic (Tootsie)  (12-6-2003 - 5-7-2017)  and my first born Silky Terrier US Ch Centella Lil Fellah ROM (Fellah)  (circa 1973 - March 1980), who perished when my house and kennel burnt to the ground in my absence.   The love of my life and still loved and adored and not forgotten.   And to US Ch Centella Senorita Chica (Chica)  who perished in the same fire.