religious thought, but this was something TSO found that we’d like to share. The original of this came from the death of someone she and her friends knew years ago. A woman colleague had not been communicating for more than two weeks. When she was finally found she had died, and her dog lay next to her and had also passed away but much more recently.

Someone then posted this:

“God summoned a beast from the field, and he said “behold man, who was created in my image. Therefore, adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children and accompany him where he may go – even into civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave.

“To do to these things, I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion and understanding surpassing those of man himself.

“Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your understanding you are denied the power of words. Let no fault of language cleave and accord beyond that of many with any other beast, or even man with man.

“Speak to your master only with your mind, and through your honest eyes. Walk by his side, sleep in his doorway, forage for him, ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions, love him, and comfort him.

“And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants – which shall only be food, shelter, and affection. So be silent and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils along the way to the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and immortality.”

“And the dog heard, and was content.”

(We don’t know the origin of this; perhaps someone here will.)
[Post edited by PhotoHokieNC at 04/18/2022 7:56PM]