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The one absolutely unselfish friend
that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts
him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his
dog.
A man's dog stands by him in prosperity
and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the
cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and snow drives fiercely,
if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand
that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that
come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the
sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other
friends desert he remains.
When riches take wings and reputation
falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its
journey through the heavens, friendless and homeless, the faithful
dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard
against danger, to fight against his enemies; and when the last
scene of all comes and death takes the master in its embrace and
his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other
friends pursue their way, there, by his graveside, will the noble
dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in
alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.
George Graham Vest (1930-1904)
Johnson County Circuit Court
Warrensburg, Missouri
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