Tribute to a Dog: All Critters ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
All Critters
Pet Guardian Responsibilities
And Animal Well-Being

A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
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Copyright © 1997 - 2008

Tribute to a Dog
by George Graham Vest 1830-1904

Mr. Vest, one of the leading orators and debaters of his time, served as United States Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903. This oratory is circa 1855 while he was practicing law in a small town in Missouri. He represented a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial Vest ignored all testimony given; but, when his time came to present his summation to the jury, he made this speech. The jury found in favor of the plainitiff and Mr. Vest and his client won the case.

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 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 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 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 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 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 in 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 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.

The Story of the Dog
Author Unknown

When the earth was newly wrought, God made a wondrous creature.
He gave its form most careful thought and studied every feature.
He made it with a graceful tail with several rates of motion.
So every wag could, without fail, register emotion.

He made it with a varied bark that produces several tones.
To frighten goblins in the dark or murmur over bones.
He made a curious, moistened nose that probes in every niche,
And for soothing children with a nudge, and a tongue that licks.

He made it with such soulful eyes of deepest golden brown,
That no caring man whose heart is wise, could turn its wishes down.
He made it with a hardy coat that covers every bit,
But made it soft beyond compare for when children play with it.

He made it loyal, strong and smart, to serve as best it can,
So it could always do its part as the ears and eyes of Man.
He made it minus gear or cog, of His most precious blend,
And so with love, God made the dog to be a man's best friend.

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