[Kartographer]

Gentlemen of the jury— The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with out happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies from him perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is the dog.

Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad but open, in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even unto death.

George G. Vest Eulogy of the Dog 23 September 1870 Warrensburg, Missouri

[NEMDF]

OMG what a heartbreaking story. I hope they are able to get him into a home, where he can learn to love and trust again.

I am sure my cat would do the same for me, right? NOT

[PGR88]

Try and get a cat to do that!

[Salamander]

In a local cemetery, a dog named Rollo laid on his master's grave for years, avoiding all attempts to 'rehome' him.

The townspeople fed and sheltered him as best they could.

When Rollo finally joined his master in death, they got together and had this memorial made.

No one remembers the man but there are *always* little tributes from children and flowers on Rollo's grave.

The fur on the statue's head is worn smooth from over a century of gentle, loving pats given by vistors.

[I confess to giving him many, myself]

Semper Fidelis. indeed.

[DannyTN]

Loyal Dog Refuses To Leave Roadside Where Owner Died

Are we talking about the GOPe?

[4yearlurker]

When my grandfather died in 1967,his Mastiff mix dog refused to eat and sat under the kitchen chair were his master use to sit. After about 2 weeks they had to put him down. I remember the dog's name was Jiggs.

[Aliska]

There’s a photo at the link, looks like a Shepherd mix. That is so terribly sad. With that kind of devotion I would like to think they can be reunited in a better world.

[Pajamajan]

Thank you so much for your Post 1 - the beautiful "Eulogy of the Dog".

Brought tears to my eyes. And it is so true.

[Snowyman]

God Made A Dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4dVlKB8MTs

[Vendome]

Hachi...

[Dawgreg]

Bawlin’ like a baby here. This is why I get in murdering mode when I see animals abused and neglected by sub-human vermin. Our home has never been without dogs and cats. OK, the cats favor me (we have 2 very old ones) because I feed them.....and they enjoy giving me head butts like the one on my puter desk is doing right now but our dogs (2 Pugs, 1 Chug and 1 Beagle) complete us. They’re our life. We used to travel when we had 1 dog and my mom lived next door and took care of him (he passed last year at age 17) but when these other 4 came into our lives we quit traveling and totally dedicate our lives to them. God has richly blessed us to be able to give them everything they need like love, companionship and good health. They may out- live us and that would be a tragedy in itself but I hope that doesn’t happen.

[Duckdog]

Look up the story about Shep in Fort Benton, Montana.

[austingirl]

Faithful friend bump.