God to Dog and back again??

This was sent to me from a dear friend it tickled me hope it does the same for you.

---

Dear God:  Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?   
 

Dear God:  Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?   
 
 
Dear God:  When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?   

 
Dear God:  Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around?  We do love a nice ride!  Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?   
 
Dear God:  If a Dog barks his  head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?   


 Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?   
 
Dear God:  More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.   
 

Dear God:  Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?   
 
 
 Dear God:  Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog. 
 
 1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.
 
 2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.  
 
 3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.   
 
 4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.  
 
 5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.  
 
 6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet. 
 
 7.  Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.  
 
 8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table.  

 9.  I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after. 
 
 10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.  
 
 11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch. 
 
 12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise,  it's usually not a good thing.
 
 
P.S.   Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back? 

Helpful hints to consider with a pet

Tim Handorf has graciously allowed me to re-post this helpful and thought provoking list:
:

10 Common Mistakes That Pet Owners Make

The following are common mistakes made by pet owners:

1. Not doing their research- 
   Deciding that you or your family are getting a pet should be taken into careful and well thought consideration. After understanding that new pets will require a lot of time and attention, it is important to not choose a pet right away that you don’t know much about. It is a good idea to shop around and see what types of pet attracts your interest- but make sure you do your research and know what type of pet you are getting before you bring it home. Be sure to research the pet’s needs, and what caring and living processes they will need.
2. Not spaying or neutering pets- 
   As many shelters across the country being at full capacity, it is no wonder that pet overpopulation is an increasing problem. Spaying and neutering your pets can not only help decrease this problem, but is also believed to make your pet healthier and at less risks for contracting diseases. In male animals, neutering can reduce aggression and eliminate the pets urges to roam around and escape. Spaying in female pets will eliminate heat cycles and spotting.
3. Not supervising children and pets- 
   Regardless of the type or breed of animal you have, children should never be left unattended with family pets. Even though many animals are tolerant of children and their attention, you never know when the pet will react to being played with too much or being pulled too hard. Whether the animal has ever reacted negatively before or not, it doesn’t mean that they won’t react when pushed, so it is important to have proper supervision when animals and children are together.
4. Not taking their animal to the vet- Yearly check-ups and pet medicines and shots are very important to the health of your pet and your family. Not getting your dog checked up can cause major health problems for your beloved pet, if something goes undetected. Keeping up with de-worming pills and medications, as well as flea and tick medicine is also important to the health and safety of your pets. Failure to administer these medications to your pet will not only harm your pet, but can also spread diseases to your family as well.
5. Getting your pets too comfortable- Many people like to spoil their pets by letting them sleep inside, in their beds, and basically let them roam around free in their homes. If you are prepared for your pet to do this at all times, that is fine. However, if this is not what you intend for your pet, do not let them get used to it, because it will be hard a hard habit to break; it’s best to just make boundaries and commands clear when it comes to where your pet is allowed and what your pet is allowed to do.
6. Not exercising with your pet- Most pets need exercise so that they don’t become obese or develop heart problems. The amount of exercise depends on the type and size of the pet you have. Not exercising with your pet can also led to high energy levels, which will likely cause them to get into trouble or become more aggressive and chew on things they aren’t supposed to, dig where they shouldn’t, and bite up things they are not supposed to. The same goes for pets that are left alone for too long or cooped up in a cage, kennel, or small area all day.
7. Yelling at pets after accidents or tearing something up Many people scream, yell, and try to discipline their pets when they come home to find that their pet has done something wrong. This is not an effective manner in which to discipline your pet because they are being yelled and punished after the fact, so they do not know why they are being yelled at. It will not likely help to train the animal otherwise; it is best to reward the animal immediately and accordingly, such as if they do use the bathroom in the correct place.
8. No setting rules and boundaries A lot of people don’t know the extent and hard work it takes to train pets. Pets do not know what’s wrong and off boundaries until they are taught so. The do not know right from wrong and it is the responsibility of the owner to train and make clear that jumping on people, scratching or nibbling on furniture, and peeing in the house on the carpet or floor is not what they are supposed to do. For help with training your pets, you can find plenty of guidelines and research online or you can consult a trainer.
9. Overfeeding your pet- Overfeeding our pets is one of the most innocent, but dangerous things we can do to our pets. Overfeeding a pet can cause obesity, which raises a number of other health hazards such as improper digestion, heart failure, and muscle strains. Since obesity signs are not always seen and obvious in many animals, and they will eat as long as there is food around, it is important for pet owners to feed their animals appropriately based on their breed, size, and weight.
10. Not having a plan for your pet in case of an emergency Emergencies happen. Whether you’re looking at your hometown being hit by hurricanes, flash floods, fire, or other natural disasters, it is important to also keep the safety of your pets in mind. You don’t want to risk having to leave your beloved pet behind at home, so make sure you know what shelters, hotels, relatives houses, or other places you plan to stay in case of an emergency, are pet-friendly.

It's worth a thought...
Thanks Tim

Cheers

Rev. Steve

P.S. I plead GUILTY of #9

Revsteve.net

Good Grief, a Book that Helps the Healing

Recently I was contacted by author and fellow Pet/Animal Chaplain Sid Korpi. After she found our Pet Chaplains website www.petchaplains.com.au. As a result of this contact I was made aware of a most helpful and heart rendering book she has published "Good Grief" in it she shares not only her experience dealing with tragedy but also a range of other peoples experiences with the effect of Loss and over coming the loneliness. Finding the void being replaced and the experience of many pet owners having contact with their deceased pet from beyond the veil. 

This book I highly recommend; not only for those of you that have the misfortune to be coping with the grieving process at present. But for anyone who has a pet or is close to another that has an animal in their lives. 


This book is entertaining as well as powerful enough to pass on to anyone the tools and support strategies required to assist others that maybe going though the stress of lifetime separation from a loved animal whether pet or workmate.


You may order this book from Good Grief of Pet Chaplain (Aust)


It’s worth a look and worth a thought.




Cheers


Rev. Steve


www.petchaplains.com.au

Study a Dog for a better life!

Dogs are great teachers.
Study one and here’s what you may learn:

• When someone you love comes home, always run to greet them with Joy.
• Love the feeling of fresh air and the wind in your face.
• Never knock back a chance for a car ride.
• Take heaps of naps.
• Have a good un-hurried stretch before getting up.
• Run and play and chase you tail each day, for no good reason except you can!
• Stick by those you hold dear.
• Enjoy a good walk for the pleasure of being out.
• Be who you are and don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
• Don’t bite when a simple growl with get your message across.
• Enjoy attention and let people close.
• On warm days lie in the cool grass stretch and rub your back.
• On hot days drink heaps of water and find the shade of a good tree for a snooze.
• When you’re happy show it by energizing your whole body.
• If you want something and it’s buried, dig until you find it, even after a few false starts.
• When you see someone that is feeling sad and low, be close with them sit in silence and gentle nuzzle ‘em.

It’s worth a look and worth a thought.

Cheers

Rev. Steve

www.petchaplains.com.au

10 Commandments for Us by our Pets

Found this the other night and was impressed and would like to share it.

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Don't be frustrated and impatient.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. 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.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand the tone of your voice when speaking to me.
6.. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite or scratch you.

8. 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 and weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old and need love, care, comfort and attention.
10. 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. modified from the original poem by Stan Rawlinson Doglistener.co.u
It's worth a thought next time you get a bit cranky
with those that give us so much.
Cheers
Rev. Steve
www.petchaplains.com.au

Pets are People Too!

Isn't it interesting that the passing of a Pet or much loved animal seems to attract much less attention for others around you that the passing of a human loved one.
How often have you heard the comment by possibly a well meaning parent, friend or relative.

"It was just a Dog/Cat/Bird, or whatever, come on pull yourself together. We'll go and get another one soon."

In all my time as a pastoral care giver I have never heard, it was just your Mother, Uncle or Sister, never mind will get another one soon!"

Now to some that last statement may appear harsh, to you I apologizes for any uneasiness you may feel. Having said that I ask that you consider the relationship that the grieving one has had with the pet or animal that has just died.

Just because the life that has just passed meant little to you, non-the-less the loss is very real and painful for those affected by the death.

Here are some helpful ways to comfort the bereaved, Talk about the pet, re-live the good times that it has given to people, talk about some of the naughty things it got up to.
Start to laugh and cry over these antics, this will allow the passing to become less painful.

It will keep alive the memories, while sharing the experience of it's existence with others.

Often people avoid talking about a death and fear mentioning the name of the pet that has just died because they think it will increase the hurt for the owners.

The opposite in fact is true by not mentioning the pet/animal (this goes for people also) it seems to the person that is suffering the loss that others do not wish to acknowledge the life instead of celebrating it.

Worth a thought.

Cheers

Rev. Steve
www.petchaplains.com.au

Do Pets go to Heaven

Do Pets go to Heaven? This is the most commonly asked question that I get every day. Personally I think so. There are many differing points of view and that's all they are points of view.
For the record what do Pets give us? Unconditional Love! and can Love be destroyed? No. That means it must survive and if so where. Heaven seems like as good as spot as any.

Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 20-22.18 20All living creatures go to the same place. We are made from earth, and we return to the earth. 21Who really knows if our spirits go up and the spirits of animals go down into the earth? 22We were meant to enjoy our work, and that's the best thing we can do. We can never know the future.

My personal view is that they are always with us in our hearts and memories, and if we go to heaven, and they are not there already, then we will have them with us when we get there.

Cheers

Rev. Steve

www.petchaplains.com.au