Bet you're a great pet owner.  They are such lovely creatures, we need to treat them with love and kindness.

This was a tough one to read - especially #10. My girl Molly is really slowing down and has health problems. Yet, she still greats me each day when I come home with a wagging tail. I know her end is near, but I can't imagine her not being there anymore. 

Christina - I thought I rescued a dog by calling the dog warden. I found out the owners were very concerned. And, then after it was taken to the local SPCA he sat there for a week - It costs $9 for the dog to be registered and $25 for a 2 days stay, after that the cost goes up to $145 for a week at the SPCA. I don't think the owners are claiming him at this point. :(

Hi Christina, nice rules - made me cry...I had to go for the final with my dog the end of last year.

These are great. I had a gold lab that I had for 12 yrs when she was hit by some teen agers speeding and went off in the gravel. I had to have her put to sleep. It broke her back. However, I ran across another great lab by accident. It must have been fate. He is wonderful and loves without end my 18 month old. (especially when he is getting his ears or tail pulled)

Great Read!

I think #4 is probably my favorite on the list...thanks for sharing!

Hey Christina,

I wish new pet owners had to read this. Thanks so much for posting this. Take care!

Well, Geez, Christina... That's a wonderful list... I wish new pet owners had to read and swear to abide by this.  Very, very nicely done.     

Christina, I love this list! My Janie is getting well on in years, but I've never had a dog that loves like she does. I will miss her terribly when she's gone.

Very true.

Christina:  Thank you very much for sharing this.  I'm tearing up over here.  I'll have to take a minute before I go back to work. 

Aaww. This is sweet. I have cats. But the rules still apply. I love my kitties =)

Very true...there are not many things in life as loyal to us as our dogs...we should show them the same love and loyalty they give us :)

Pets are a blessing, and a special gift, they provide comfort, and companionship, but most of all unconditional love, I have never had an animal mistreat me, but during tough times, they would sense the right moment, with a gentle nudge, or along side on the bed.  A pets bond to you emotionally is very strong.  After I was in a serious car accident, my lab refused to leave my side when I was finally home, resting,  she sensed everytime I had a bad night of pain, she would lie next to me, gentle nudges, and licks.  she would stay there for hours doing her best to comfort me.

nice post, will share these commandments with others.

Everything I learned about life, I learned from my dog.  I have to be honest, I didn't read through all of the "Ten Commandments" because the introduction kind of turned me off with the new testament references.  True, god is dog spelled backwards, but that's as far as I'm going to take that.  As for my dogs, I don't mix religion with my feelings for them. And if I did, it would be from the original source - the Old Testament.

Thank you Christina...I'm crying as I type. The last one gets me, I have had to do this to 4 dogs in my life, all were elderly and in pain that would not get better and my husband and I stood there every time as close as we could get to them which means touching, telling them how much they are loved (we have had all large dogs die,holding them was impossible). I have had people tell me that they could not bare to watch and it broke my heart for their poor pet that had no one that loved them enough to go through the pain to help ease their pets pain and fear.  I had to let my 14 yr old greyhound go a year ago this past July 8 and I can still close my eyes and see her looking at me, she knew that we loved her with all our hearts! Lord, I am still crying...I'm such a baby.

Thank you Christina-That was beautiful.  I love this group. I just joined and I love it so much already. It just lets us know how much so many of us feel the same way about our fur babies

This is so sweet - perhaps bittersweet because I am teary and feel the need to go home and kiss and hug all 3 of my poochies!  Oh, we love them so...I can't imagine not being with my "babies" when "their time comes"...

You just made me pick up my Yorkie and give her a kiss..

Very nice list of "commandments" for pets.  We have five cats and two dogs, and I love each and every one of them. 

Number ten has me crying. Been there, shared it, still cryin'. 

Great post. Thanks, from one pet lover to another.

Thanks a lot, Christina...now I'm all teary-eyed!  I have a 15-year old angel--Dale, a stout & purehearted dog. I know that the end is drawing near and just the thought of it breaks my heart.