[PyrNet-L] CHAT: Having a Pyr's good for the heart!

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

   I heard a couple requests lately to share our feelings about our Pyrs. One
was for what we are thankful for for them. The other was for ideas on how
therapeutic they are for us, to be used in a sermon. Some of these thoughts I
shared recently when my brother was dying and died. Some are new. This may be
too late for the sermon ideas request, but this probably fills the bill for
both I think:

   Lately I've really been discovering how therapeutic it can be to have  a
dog and 
especially a Great Pyrenees.  (Course I may be just a bit prejudiced there!)
But 
those soulful eyes and how sensitive they are and also how goofy and comical
and expressive they are all combine to make one pretty good friend that can
cheer you up & even make you laugh when you thought there was no way you'd
feel like it! 
   Everyone has those times in their lives when life throws you some hard
times & it's easy for those blue thoughts to creep in at a time like that.
When those blue times come it has been so good to have Albert to take on walks
and cuddle and hug and be slimed by and make me laugh as he does throughout
the day!!  
   Plus when we have a dog it is so much harder to let those blues creep in.
Our dogs are always there to love us unconditionally and show us they are
thrilled as can be to just be in our presence!!  We don't have to measure up.
We don't have to be perceived as doing things the way they think is right. We
don't have to fix our hair for them. We don't even have to prove ourselves to
be excellent conversationists, witty and wise. We don't have to be fit and
trim. We don't have to wear nice cologne and make-up. We don't have to dress
just so for them. We don't have to have a nice car or home. They don't care
what our job or education or paycheck is. We don't have to be in a good mood
even!!!  They just love us!  All the time, always and forever!!! And they
don't hesitate to show us!!! We never have to guess how they feel about us at
any given moment and wish we could read their minds to find out. They just
love us!!!
And they very eagerly show us all the time!! Plus we never have to wonder if
they are in the mood for affection from us or if they will be receptive to it
or whether we are being too demonstrative with our affections. Or how it will
be taken. They welcome our hugs and loving pats and attentions. They are
always eager to love us and even forgive us if we have gotten busy and ignored
them a while. They just eagerly show us how much they love us!!!   And this is
one kind of therapy that we don't have to worry about hourly fees for
either!!! Or appointments!!  They are always there for us!!! Always ready to
love us!! I wonder why someone wouldn't want a dog their life!!! Boy! Are they
missing out!!  I've never even considered living in a place that wouldn't let
me have dogs in it!!!  They are too important to my life to not have one in my
life!!
   
:)  &  :)``````  (me grinning & Albert grinning & drooling and sliming me when
I 
                    need a good slime!!!! )
       
Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, Washington