Posted on 03/02/2011 10:45:00 PM PST by Frantzie
Epitaph to a Dog[4]
Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
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 in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.
When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown by Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptors 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 Masters 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 feeble 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, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy 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 honors none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friends remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one and here he lies.
I think we all have days we feel like this...Especially those last two lines.
Poor Lord Byron only had his friend for 5 years.:-(
Don't anyone get me started on Old Drum ...There was a statue dedicated to him in the town where I attended college.
I'm a big Kipling fan -- he went out of fashion for PC reasons, not lack of ability. I think he is a better prose writer than poet (particularly the late short stories). Faves are Puck of Pook's Hill, Rewards and Fairies (which look like children's books but aren't) and some of the late stories set in Sussex - "Friendly Brook", "An Habitation Enforced" - and London - "Wireless", "The Wish House". The latter is one of the scariest stories I've ever read.
Looks like others recommend the same thing I do - glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
Wow, that is a good story.....
We have used CETYL-M with some success but this sounds like an extreme case.
Thanks for the ping BG. I am not familiar with this but hope some help has been offered.
I am a huge believer in Vit C. http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm
I agree. Surgery is probably the best option.
Calcium tabs- buy at wallyworld. Did wonders for our dog.
Thanks.
Thank you for the “Now” recommendation for NZ Green Lipped Mussel. Gonna give that a go next payday!
The vet stopped short of telling me it would repair damage already done, but I believe it did so for both me & the dog for the time I was buying it.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=sea+mussel&x=8&y=17
Note to the OP, I dunno if the mussel can help against the extremes you posted about, but I highly recommend it for any issues involving missing/damaged cartilage.
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