Lessons in life from a dog

From TODAY, Voices
Thursday October 2, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

Someone sent me a poem the other day that I want to share with you. I don’t know who wrote it, because it wasn’t signed, but I enjoyed it and I think you’ll like it, too.

It goes like this:

“If you can start the day without caffeine;
if you can get going without painkiller;
if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains;
if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles;
if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it;
if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time;
if you can forgive a friend’s lack of consideration;
if you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when,
through no fault of your own, something goes wrong;
if you can take criticism and blame without resentment;
if you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him;
if you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend;
if you can face the world without lies and deceit;
if you can conquer tension without medical help;
if you can relax without liquor;
if you can sleep without the aid of drugs;
if you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice
against creed or colour, religion or politics;
then, my friend, you’re almost as good as your dog.

“Almost, but not quite.”

This poem is dedicated to every dog lover in the world.