10 commandments of pet ownership

Someone just sent this to me, and how true it is...I've always said: you should treat your pets as well as you'd like to be treated...if not better.

The Ten Commandments of Pet Ownership

When you adopt me my life is likely to last 15 to 20 years. Please don't forsake me, any separation from you will be very painful.

Please give me time to understand what it is you want from me. Change can be more difficult for me than for you.

Please trust me and help me to trust you... it is crucial for my well being as well as yours.

Don't be angry with me for too long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only YOU.

Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when you're speaking to me.

Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to hurt you.

Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Is there another reason for my behavior? Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, and my heart may be getting old and weak. Try to understand what it is like to be me.

Please take care of me when I get old. Don't abandon me, for you, too, will grow old.

Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it", or, "Let it happen in my absence." I need you with me even at the end of my journey. Please always do what is best for me even if it is unbearable for you to do so - because I love you and trust that you will.

And, even though the last commandment is painful, I always do it--my pets need me then, too. I once had someone ask me how I could stand watching my cat die, when I had to put her to sleep. They couldn't believe I actually was in the room with her. I said, "How could I leave Ming to die, without me being there with her? Sure, I was crying, and it hurt so much. But, she would've had been even more scared had I not been there, holding her. I couldn't do that to her."


~Author Unknown

that makes me think of all the poor animals that go thru every one of those commandments,

And yes i am crying righ now.... i am sure that is how they think too.

i agree, it is hard, but if ya start it ya gotta be there for the finish. my baby Cinca a couple years ago, had to be PTS. When i lived in Perry our neighbors had a litter of the most beautiful Pittbulls-ten of them total, and the momma dog was so sweet, she often came over to my yard to play and visit when the neighbors were outside letting her run free, one day standing in my yard talking to another neighbor, the momma dog came dragging this little speckled puppy across the street, drops him at my feet and ran straight out into the road in front of a truck, The owner of the momma dog after rushing her to the vet, came home and told me to keep the puppy, that obviously the momma wanted me to have her, he had been in his yard and seen the whole event, so Cinca became my baby. In the summer when he was a little over a year old and was close 150 pounds, He was a HUGE baby, but no match for a rattlesnake. He had been bitten six or seven times in the face and throat and in the end there was nothing more that could be done, he was so sick and suffering. His face was so sad, like please dont leave me. Then soon after that I had to sit with my sisters cat Putty while she took her last breaths, she was 14 and such a sweetheart, it still breaks my heart thinking about her leaving as i was sitting there petting her for comfort.


side note. NEVER EVER EVER LEAVE A SWIMMING POOL OF WATER FOR YOUR DOG TO SWIM IN AT THEIR LEASURE IN THE SUMMER.(Cinca loved water) and i didnt know at the time but IT ATTRACTS SNAKES BECAUSE OF THE COOL TEMPERATURES AND MOISTURE AROUND THE AREA!!! PLEASE PLEASE.

Aww, thats so sad, but true!

Same from me. Happy that we do these things but so sad when they go. Cats bring such much joy to you.