Question:
Ten Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner.
1. My life is likely to last 10 or 15 years. Any seperation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
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 for punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I won't forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily cruch the bones in your hand. But, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy and unco-operative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.
9. Take care of me when I get old. you, too, will grown old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, 'I can't bear to watch it,' Everything is easier for me if you're there. Remeber that I love you.
I got this from my mom.


Answer:
Oh geez, that was beautiful. Tell your mom she's great! I may have to print this out...


Answer:
I have this on my fridge but its the bird version,,just a few changes


Answer:
Brought a tear to my eye. But then so does any long-term committment to a pet. It's really the purest, most beautiful love there is.


Answer:
that is a good one!!


Answer:
Very good!
#10.. very important.. when it's time, don't dump them at a shelter & have strangers be the last one with them. (That is the most heartbreaking part of my job)


Answer:
That is a wonderful list! As hard as it is, I agree that the owner should be with a pet in its last moments. Every one of my animals that has passed away (when I knew it was going to pass away, I have had a few die without my knowing they were going to die...my poor little hedgie died that way! I was so sad! He was such a good little boy, and just over a year old. No tumours that I could see, and had a clean bill of health at his last vet appointment just a month earlier.) in either my arms or my husband's. Both of us are with the animals about equally. When my last rabbit was sick and dying (rabbits can go from hardly sick at all to dead in a very short time, sadly), I knew it was too late to do anything for her (especially since the local vets know so little about rabbits, and the ones that do know about them are too far away to be of much help in an emergency), so I just stayed up all night holding her and telling her it would be okay. Even thinking about it now, I am crying. It's so hard to let them go, but I know if I was dying, I would want to spend my last moments with those that I loved.