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Pets have always been a
special part of our lives. This past fall, we said good-bye to Vedge's
Mike's Last Chance Katie, my black Labrador Retriever, after a brief
battle with cancer at the age of thirteen. She was a friend, companion,
hunting partner, babysitter, and playmate. As a tribute to Katie, I am
posting a speech by George Graham Vest (1830-1904). He was a U.S.
Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and is known as one of the best
orators of his time. This following speech is from an earlier period in
his life when he practiced law. Vest was representing a man who sued
another for the killing of his dog.
He 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 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.
Katie -
you touched a special place in our hearts and are missed. Godspeed over
the rainbow bridge....
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