Kita Hassan - Aldus

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's
just a dog," or "that's a lot of money for just a
dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the
time spent, or the costs involved for "just a
dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about
with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a
dog," but I did not once feel slighted. ………….

And in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome
the day. …………………………………………………

"Just a dog" brings
into my life the very essence of
friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a
dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make
me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will
rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the
future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but
an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the
future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure
joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's
good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself
and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they will understand that it's
not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity
and keeps me from being "just a man." So the next time
you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because
they "just don't understand."

(unknown author at this stage however trying to find who )

Geraldine Snell June 28, 2009

ONE MAN'S SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO A DOG

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 his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity
and in poverty,
in health and in sickness.
He will sleep on the cold ground where
the wintery winds blow,
and the snow drives fiercely,
if only he may be near his master's
side. He will kiss the hand that has no
food to offer, he will lick the sores
and wounds 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 it's journey
through the heavens.
If misfortune drives the master forth
an outcast in the world, friendless
and homeless, the faithful dog asks
no higher privilege than that of
accompanying him to guard against
danger, to fight against his enemies.

And when the last scene of all comes,
and death takes the master in it's
embrace, and his body is laid away in
the cold ground, no matter if all other
friends pursue their way, there by the
graveside will the noble dog be found,
his head between his paws, his eyes sad,
but open in alert watchfulness,
faithful and true, even in death.


-From a speech given by
Former Senator George Graham Vest
of Missouri. Delivered in 1870 when he
was acting as a lawyer in a suit against
a man who had killed the dog of his
client. -- He won the case.

Geraldine Snell June 28, 2009

LIVING LOVE


Exerpt from the book "Maya's first Rose

(Passages from "A living love" )

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul -- a bit smaller in size than your own -- seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg -- very very lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lie -- . The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--

As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a day when -- along with the memory of your pet -- and piercing through the heaviness in your heart -- there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love -- like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow -- and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets -- it is a Love we will always possess.

Geraldine Snell June 28, 2009

THE SPIRIT OF A JAPANESE AKITA DOG

I was standing on a hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And the spirit of a japanese akita

Was lying at my feet.

She looked at me with kind dark eyes

An ancient wisdom shining through

And in the essence of her being

I saw love there too.



Her mind did lock upon my heart

As I stood there on that day

And she told me of this story

About a place so far away.



I stood upon that hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And in a twinkling of a second

Her spirit left my feet.



Her tale did put my heart at ease

My fears did fade away

About what lay ahead of me

On another distant day.



"I live among God's creatures now

In the heavens of your mind

So do not grieve for me, my friend

As I am with my kind.



My collar is a rainbow's hue

My leash a shooting star

My boundaries are the Milky Way

Where I sparkle from afar.



There are no pens or kennels here

For I am not confined

But free to roam God's heavens

Among my akita kind.



I nap the day on a snowy cloud

Gentle breezes rocking me

And dream the dreams of earthlings

And how it used to be.



The trees are full of liver treats

And tennis balls abound

And gravy bones line the walkways

Just waiting to be found.



There even is a ring set up

The grass all lush and green

And everyone who gaits around

Becomes the Best of Breed.



For we're all winners in this place

We have no faults, you see

And God passes out those ribbons

To each one, even me.



I drink from waters laced with gold

My world a beauty to behold

And wise old dogs do form my pride

To amble at my very side.



At night I sleep in an angel's arms

Her wings protecting me

And moonbeams dance about us

As stardust falls on thee.



So when your life on earth is spent

And you stand at Heaven's gate

Have no fear of loneliness

For here, you know I wait xxx

Iris Aldus (Mother) June 28, 2009

I know what you're thinking. You think I'm dead. Because you cannot see me with your human eye, cannot feel me with your hands or hold me in your arms, you think I am gone forever.
You recall how I looked when I left this place, and you cannot remotely imagine that I could possibly be alive in another place. You are racked and torn by the pain of our separation and it blinds you to that which is right in front of you... me..............
I'm here to tell you different. You were worthy of my love and undying devotion on earth as I of yours. Do you really believe this love would be snatched from us forever by a loving Creator simply because I wasn't human? Was I not a living, breathing creation with personality? How could I have been so if I didn't possess the energy of soul, spirit and loving light? And if this energy is and always will be, then how can it be that I am dead?
.................

You say that all you have left are memories. Not so. You see, when I took leave of my earthly body I left a little something behind for you. You can't touch it, hold it or examine it for what I left behind is far too uninhibited for confinement. I left behind a piece of my soul. I placed it right next to your own which is quite fitting as we were always side by side in our earthly life together. I love you too much to have left you with nothing but memories, which tend to fade and grow cloudy as the years go by.
I love you too much to have vanished without a trace. How selfish it would be of me to remove love and light from your life.
.............

I understand your tears, each one you shed is testament to your love for me and I am honored and humbled. But don't forget the good things we shared - remember and smile. This is an honor for me as well. And when you need me I will be here. Close your eyes, relax, take slow, deep breaths and picture me in your mind. Shut off the world and your notions of what death is and give me a chance. Look for the subtle signs I send you. Don't stop being proud of me, I am a friend to be proud of, I am still your friend and soul mate.
Don't memorialize the death of my body but instead honor and celebrate my never-ending life for it is eternal and forever as is my love for you.
Until we meet again...love always kita xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Iris Aldus (Mother) June 28, 2009