Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness, than the loving heart of me.

Don't break my spirit with a stick, for  though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding
will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail, when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it's cold and wet,  for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I can ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able, to protect you with my life, should you be in danger.

And, my friend, when I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not take heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.

Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall  leave this earth knowing, with the last breath I draw, that my fate was always safest in your loving hands.

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is greater than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn. 

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear. 

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. 

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. 

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger. 

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.

I am not taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

 
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hands between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, 
willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master,  should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight,  do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest — and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.