Messages on Spot's death

[lonestar]

`"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." - Will Rogers

My sentiments!

[tet68]

Dear Mr. President and Family, It is with much sadness we have heard about the loss of your dog Spot. There will be quite a hole in your heart for a while, and as many have suggested there is nothing to fill it like a puppy.

My thoughts are with you and I leave you with the words of Senator Vest of Tennessee. Words which have always reverberated in my heart as being the true reflection of a dog.

Tet68

A Tribute to the Dog
SENATOR VEST'S SPEECH TO THE JURY,
SEPTEMBER 23,1870
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful.
Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith.
The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the 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 and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his 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, where the wintry 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 wounds and sores that come in encounters 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 wing 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 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 its embrace and his body is laid away 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, his eyes sad but open in alert watchful-ness, faithful and true even to death."

Burden vs Hornsby 1869-70

When Senator George Graham Vest paid his famous tribute to the dog in the old Court House in Warrensburg, Mo., in 1870, he appealed to the hearts of dog lovers everywhere when he said: "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."

That Eulogy of Senator Vest won the case for Charles Burden whose favorite hound, Drum, was shot by a neighbor, Leonidas Hornsby, who had sworn to kill the first dog that came on his place after he had lost a number of sheep. Though Hornsby had hunted with Drum, and acknowledged him to be one of the best hunting dogs he had ever seen, he stubbornly insisted on carrying out his threat when one dark night a dog was found prowling in his yard. That dog was Old Drum.

Immediately Burden sued Hornsby for damages and the trial became one of the strangest in the history of this. section of the country. Each man was determined to win his case, and several appeals were made then Hornsby finally took it to the Supreme Court of Missouri. Burden, however, was awarded $50 damages for the loss of his favorite hunting dog, Drum. Vest's Eulogy to the dog, which he made in his final appeal to the jury, won the case and became a classic speech.

Through the direction of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, and coordinated efforts of many dog lovers over the country, Old Drum was immortalized in a statue on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn, in Warrensburg, Missouri, September 23, 1958. Dog lovers all over the country responded quickly to the national announcement of the placing of this statue to Old Drum, who has become a kind of symbol of all dogs that people have loved.

When Senator Vest said: "Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness," be touched a common bond of relationship in all dog lovers.

Vest's Memorial Ass'n., St. Louis, has already placed a plaque on the old Court House, scene of Vests famous Eulogy, recognizing it as an historic spot in the state. Since then, restoration of the Old Courthouse where the famous trial took place, has been underway and at present is open for visitations on summer weekends. -Courtesy of The Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce "...He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince...." What else is there to say.

[lonestar]

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

[tet68]

I would also advise the President, if he's ever near Tuscumbia Miss. to stop at the Coon Dog Graveyard and spend a quiet hour amongst the simple graves. Such a peaceful spot
very sad but one that brings a gentle stillness to a man's soul.

[tet68]

Or is it Alabama? It's been many years since I stopped
there.

[JulieRNR21]

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[lonestar]

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.-- Roger Caras

[EnnisExile]

To President and Mrs. Bush and all the family:

As one who has been made more human through the love of a dog and who has suffered the loss of that dog, my heart joins yours in grief and gratitude. I keep reminding myself - "He gave me his WHOLE life!" I thank God daily for that blessing, as I thank Him daily for the privilege of living in your time.

Dear God: grant this good man and his family peace in their loss. Let Your light shine on him as he strives to bring Your peace to this troubled world.

[Rainmist]

I love that picture of dog heaven ... is there one for cats too ? I can't wait to see all my babies one day, especially my calico girl. I expect to be knocked down and swarmed .... lol !

[Rainmist]

OMG stop that ... you're making me cry ....

[Rainmist]

You too !!!

[EvaClement]

About 4 years ago, I was going through a very difficult time due to circumstances beyond my control. Hubby said to me, "Pray to the Lord, and tell Him you need a break." So, that's what I did. A few days later, I found a little black dog dumped on an old back road; I brought her home. Five weeks later, she had a litter of pups. We found good homes for all the pups except one we kept, I guess he got a good home too! So, now, we have them plus our 7-year old dog. In our town, we are required to have a "kennel license" since we have three dogs! Anyway, hubby and I are empty-nesters, so, perhaps the dogs are our surrogate children!

Condolences to President and Mrs. Bush. E.C.

[punster]

I am deeply sorry about Spot. I know how pets become almost like children and how their passing hurts.

[Dubya]

Bump

[Samwise]

Great quote from Will Rogers. Thanks!

[apackof2]

I just heard about Spot in the paper yesterday
As a "dog mom" I know that nothing hurts more than the loss of your dog, however I know there is a place in heaven called the "Rainbow Bridge" where we will be united with our 4 footed loves ones(after all if there are no animals in Heaven where does the returning Jesus get His white horse?)

" In our gardens repose the remains of those that possess beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and the virtues of man without his vices: our pets." Lord Byron

[apackof2]

Words which have always reverberated in my heart as being the true reflection of a dog.

My "dog mom" heart also, thanks for posting