A Pet’s Ten Commandments
A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS
I
My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
II
Give me time to understand what you want of me.
III
Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
IV
Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. you have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
V
Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
VI
Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
VII
Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
VIII
Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
IX
Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
X
On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters.
©1993 Stan Rawlinson
Our Gratitude to Stan Rawlinson for permission to share this article.
Stan Rawlinson MTCBPT. MPAACT A.dipCCB is the Chairman of Chairman of PAACT, the Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers, and The Original Doglistener. He is a professional full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer.
Please visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information.
NOTE: Humanity Healing has updated and rereleased this article after we discovered and made contact with the original writer of this article.
thank you for posting this! my little kitty sophie is my best friend and i had not given her a proper cuddle today! (that is remedied now!)…8 years ago, i had to put sophie’s baby, a grey tiger (benji) to sleep when he was 1.5 years old, as he could not walk and no one would take him in (shelters or homes)…i really tried to find him a home, but no one wanted him and even, some said that i was cruel for letting him live so long. it wasn’t cruel. he was the nicest and sweetest kitty ever. and he loved to sit in the sun on the rug near the bay window. i lived on the 3rd floor and had a nice tree and view of albany and also, squirrels lived in the eaves and loved to have nuts hand fed to them. benji was well able to get around by hooking his claws into the rug and pulling himself. if i could do it over, i would have stayed. but i know he has forgiven me. i was not able to be with him, as the shelter would not let me (they were my last resort, but they would not take him either), and that made me sad. i cried a lot, too. he was a good little cat and i loved him a lot. that last day, i carried him around in the snow and let him smell the snow, the trees and look at everything (we lived in the city, had moved there from the countryside, so this was a treat for him and me). he really loved it. was a very inquisitive little guy… there is a little wild cat grey tiger outside now who i also love, but cannot pet, as she is too scared. lots of love to you, darlene
Thank you for this. I recently euthanized my cat Lamar, who was 10 years old and developed bone cancer. It came on fast (less than a month) and it was very painful. He was a rescue, and lived with us for 8 years. My daughter grew up with him, and he loved to chase her around the house (she in turn would chase him on all fours). He had a voice not a meow and talked to us all the time(he was a bombay about 12 lbs.) and we loved him very much.
I held him while the workers at the local animal shelter helped me send him onward to a place of no pain. I cried like a baby unashamed of the stares from young and old, and thanked those who commiserated with me. I took him home, and wrapped him in an old shirt of mine, and buried him in the back yard. I placed flowers and a stone on top, so I can see where he lies from the house every day as I let out my dog (who I love just as much).
I treat my pets as family, and I love them all. Some are really special, and for them, I hope they find a place where they are forever loved like I loved them while they shared their lives with me.
This is lovely, thank you for sharing this with the world. My prayers every day is for the well being of our domesticated pets and the animals we share the planet with.
Perfect Draft of new 10 commandments for society what we live…
Love,Light and Wind
Sky.