Guest Post: Learning to Love a Man's Best Friend by Hsimone

This forum features articles, guest posts and advice columns written by authors.

Hosted by October Member of the Month, bookowlie.

Moderators: bookowlie, Special Discussion Leaders

User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Re: Guest Post: Learning to Love a Man's Best Friend by Hsim

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Aw...thank you, pyb! It's so crazy how just giving a dog a chance, he/she can take a piece of your heart. I am like you, since Zoey I notice every dog on the streets, where before I would also just walk by, too. :character-grommit:
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
DATo
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 5771
Joined: 31 Dec 2011, 07:54
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by DATo »

Thanks for sharing this @hsimone. I think others have already said it all so I will just contribute this little addendum written in 1870. I think this positively beautiful poem describes the love a dog holds for us better than anything else I have ever come across. I would give much to have been the author of this little masterpiece.


The Little Dog Angel

by

Norah M. Holland


High in the courts of Heaven today
A little dog angel waits;
With the other angels, he will not play
But sits alone at the gates.
"For I know that my master will come," says he
"And when he comes, he will call for me."

He sees the spirits that pass him by
As they hasten toward the throne;
And he watches them with a wistful eye
As he sits at the gates alone.
"For I know if I just wait patiently
Some day, my master will come," says he.

And his master, far on the earth below,
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets sometimes and he whistles low
For the dog that is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
And dreams that his master's call he hears.

And I know at length when his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold,
For the hands of Death to open the gates
That lead to those courts of gold,
The little dog angel's eager bark
Will comfort his soul in the shivering dark.


/
“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”
― Steven Wright
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Thank you, DATo, for sharing that lovely and bittersweet addendum. It really made me teary-eyed just thinking about it. Dogs are so very loyal, and I can imagine this to be true. Zoey's almost 4 years old and she's a mix, so hopefully we'll have many more years with her here. Such a sweet and endearing pet to have.
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
Joy V Smith
Posts: 35
Joined: 19 Aug 2016, 22:37
Bookshelf Size: 10

Post by Joy V Smith »

Thanks for sharing. I love puppies, and your story and photos made me want to cuddle her! I've had a few over the years; my last two were from the SPCA, and I appreciate everyone who rescues a puppy--or dog.
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Thank you, Joy V Smith, for your kind and sweet words. She is definitely a cuddly-type dog. Can't believe she'll be 4 in a couple of months! We used Lucky Lab Rescue. In fact, all her siblings were adopted the same day as her, which was nice to learn. I also appreciate everyone who rescues a puppy or dog. They need love and care just like us people! :)
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
Lfrench
Posts: 1
Joined: 17 Jul 2016, 13:58
Currently Reading: Six Years
Bookshelf Size: 2

Post by Lfrench »

I had a beautiful blue pitbull that was the sweetest dog you can ever imagine he would sleep all day make a mess when he eats love to go for walks and would lay there at your feet a wonderful dog rest in peace Rocky
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Lfrench wrote:I had a beautiful blue pitbull that was the sweetest dog you can ever imagine he would sleep all day make a mess when he eats love to go for walks and would lay there at your feet a wonderful dog rest in peace Rocky
Thank you for sharing about your loving Rocky. May he rest in peace. Dogs are really such a great addition to any family.
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

So sweet, your making miss our last dog. He passed away about a year ago.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

CatInTheHat wrote:So sweet, your making miss our last dog. He passed away about a year ago.
Aw...thank you for sharing. May he rest in peace.
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
rovet
Posts: 65
Joined: 24 Aug 2016, 11:39
Currently Reading: We Are the Ants
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rovet.html
Latest Review: "Pale Bricks" by K. L. Stein

Post by rovet »

I love your story, hsimone! I truly believe in the human-animal bond. It is amazing how much dogs can enrich our lives. I am a serious dog lover. I can't imagine myself not having a dog. I'm so happy you have now joined the ranks of the dog lovers! :D
Latest Review: "Pale Bricks" by K. L. Stein
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

rovet wrote:I love your story, hsimone! I truly believe in the human-animal bond. It is amazing how much dogs can enrich our lives. I am a serious dog lover. I can't imagine myself not having a dog. I'm so happy you have now joined the ranks of the dog lovers! :D
Thank you, rovet! I believe in that bond now, and I'm glad to be part of the ranks of the dog lovers! :character-grommit: :D
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
Fabian Omondi
Posts: 76
Joined: 17 Jul 2017, 15:32
Currently Reading: Vengeance (Tip of the Spear Book 2)
Bookshelf Size: 82

Post by Fabian Omondi »

Wow thanks for sharing this,am glad I got the opportunity to go through it
User avatar
juliusotinyo
Posts: 762
Joined: 15 Jun 2017, 10:19
Bookshelf Size: 49
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-juliusotinyo.html
Latest Review: Marrying a Playboy Billionaire by H M Irwing

Post by juliusotinyo »

Nice to hear about Zoey's story. I have 4 dogs in my farm but am not close to them ever since I lost my first one in a car accident. They are all German shepherds, still its always lovely seeing my wife and kids play with them.
User avatar
Heidi M Simone
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 7054
Joined: 17 Jul 2015, 20:19
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Currently Reading: Beyond the Wand
Bookshelf Size: 556
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-heidi-m-simone.html
Latest Review: Lugares Amables by Lidice Megla
Publishing Contest Votes: 27
fav_author_id: 0

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Fabian Omondi wrote:Wow thanks for sharing this,am glad I got the opportunity to go through it
Thank you, Fabian Omondi, for reading! :)

-- 25 Jul 2017, 20:47 --
juliusotinyo wrote:Nice to hear about Zoey's story. I have 4 dogs in my farm but am not close to them ever since I lost my first one in a car accident. They are all German shepherds, still its always lovely seeing my wife and kids play with them.
I'm so sorry to hear about losing your first dog in a car accident. I appreciate you sharing something so personal.

Even with this terrible experience, it's nice to hear that you have dogs for your wife and kids, and they enjoy to play with them. I imagine a farm would be such a great place of German shepherds - all that space to run around! Thank you again for reading and sharing.
Heidi
Official Reviewer Representative

"There is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love, and nothing as healing as a child’s soul." – Unknown
User avatar
juliusotinyo
Posts: 762
Joined: 15 Jun 2017, 10:19
Bookshelf Size: 49
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-juliusotinyo.html
Latest Review: Marrying a Playboy Billionaire by H M Irwing

Post by juliusotinyo »

hsimone wrote:
Fabian Omondi wrote:Wow thanks for sharing this,am glad I got the opportunity to go through it
Thank you, Fabian Omondi, for reading! :)

-- 25 Jul 2017, 20:47 --
juliusotinyo wrote:Nice to hear about Zoey's story. I have 4 dogs in my farm but am not close to them ever since I lost my first one in a car accident. They are all German shepherds, still its always lovely seeing my wife and kids play with them.
I'm so sorry to hear about losing your first dog in a car accident. I appreciate you sharing something so personal.

Even with this terrible experience, it's nice to hear that you have dogs for your wife and kids, and they enjoy to play with them. I imagine a farm would be such a great place of German shepherds - all that space to run around! Thank you again for reading and sharing.
There's never been a dog like chowder (my kids named it after the cartoon character) much like you I hated dogs at first. It was not even a playful dog, it just loved sitting next to me or following me around. I never trained it but it always seemed to know what I wanted it to do, like chase after hares and squirrels or just sit.

I'd warmed up to him within a year and whenever we met after my long travels, always so aloof, he wouldn't respond to my calls but would follow me everywhere. Until one morning he disappeared for 2 days. We found his body about 3km (1 mile) from the farm next to the highway. It wasn't common for him to go so far, left me with many questions.
Post Reply

Return to “Author Articles”