Sunday, October 9, 2011

Can a dog be grateful ?




Can a dog be grateful ? Can it even understand what gratitude is ?

A year ago this week Wilf was taken to the specialists and given three days to live . Here he is a year on . Older, blind, less steady on his feet, diabetic, increasingly confused , but still enjoying life and making his family laugh .

Can a dog be grateful ? A year has taught us that dogs , every bit as much as humans , know that there is always, always, always something to be thankful for .

29 comments:

  1. I am convinced a dog can express and feel gratitude of a high order.

    Jo in MN

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  2. Can you believe it's been a year? Truly a miraculous wonderful year. Oh yes, I believe dogs, like humans, can feel grateful. Being just two days from being put down when he was rescued, I see gratitude in Edward's eyes all the time. And it's also there in mine.

    Angus, I'm so happy for the extra time you all have had with Wilf. Such a gift, for everyone.

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  3. I too am so very glad for the extra time you're getting with Wilf. And that you're able to share it with us!

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  4. We too are so thankful for Wilf's extra time. As readers of the blog, we share in joys and laughs, without having to cope with the disturbed nights, scares and trips to the vet. So thank you too Angus (and 'the font').

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  5. Maybe a dog can't be greatful, but we are. Wilf's wonderful personality shines through.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  6. Hear hear! Dogs live for the day, expressing joy as they find it. They don't bother to worry themselves about the future and what it may or may not bring.

    Definitely a strategy worth considering.

    x (for Wilf!)

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  7. And what a special year! A year in which you and the font never gave up hope for him and have enabled him to live these laughter-filled days. My thanks too for sharing this journey.

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  8. We did not realize that it has been a year since we joined you in Wilf's journey. We thank you too for letting us into Wilf's adventures and we are looking forward to more days of grace.

    We are truly grateful for this blessing and we are sure that Wilf is also grateful for all the love you share with him.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie (Tabby, too)

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  9. I remember the day i discovered Wilfee's story on a blog, by seeing his face on the vignette.

    Angus just heard that his sweet dog was diagnosed with cancer, and this story broke my heart.

    I decided to follow this blog, and it was a year ago ! I will never forgot !

    Many thanks to you, Angus for sharing this amazing time with us.

    As all your readers, i am grateful for all those days without pain, and i pray all days for more and more.

    Enjoy this Sunday Wilfee ! All my love and bisous for you sweet boy.

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  10. I am so glad that this gorgeous polar bear is still with his family - love and gratitude - I am sure he knows that you totally support him whatever happens - so many health issues and he is going on - like the JRT of friends who loves his humans so much that he keeps on keeping on -
    To Wilf and his marvellous family - wishing you endless days of grace Susanne, Daisy and Foxiie

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  11. I've felt moments of gratitude from the dogs that have come into our lives. I know you feel many of those same feelings and have shared them, and Wilf with us, thank-you for that.

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  12. Keep fighting the good fight Wilfie Pon x

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  13. I will never underestimate the sensitivity and capability of animals, especially the ones we have shared our lives and who we have become attuned to. although, I suspect they become far more attuned to us. I believe in my heart that they feel gratitude, which is expressed in the unconditional love they extend to us daily. I send my unconditional love back to you Fluffy Boy, with a Sunday kiss on the nose. And thanks to Angus, for your words filled with love for Wilfie. x

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  14. I have little doubt that Wilf feels gratitude - for a year of fun, for you, for the font, and for all of the people in your town who are so nice to him. He may not understand that someone gave him only 3 days a year ago but, nonetheless, he's still very grateful for his year.

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  15. .... Older, blind, less steady on his feet, diabetic, increasingly confused , but still enjoying life and making his family laugh ..... Does Mr. O live with you?

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  16. So happy this time was given to all of us to enjoy Wilf.

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  17. Yes, yes, yes, yes - and what an unexpectedly wonderful year it has been; keep on truckin', Wilf! Thank you, Angus, for bringing us along on this journey.

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  18. I'm certain dogs feel and express gratitude; I see it daily from mine. I, too am grateful to you all for sharing Wilf's journey with us.

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  19. Take that all you "specialists", WIlf sure showed them who was in charge!
    I am sure Wilf is grateful for this past year, I know the I am. Thank you for sharing it with all of us! :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  20. We are also so thankful that Wilf continues his earthly journey. He is an inspiration to all of us, both humans and K-9's.
    God Bless Wilf and his entire family, may his days of grace continue.


    Sheila & Bob

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  21. I'm grateful to learn that sometimes it is OK for a specialist vet to be so wrong.

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  22. "It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the panth, and to proceed".
    "Be here now".
    - Ram Dass

    We are profoundly grateful.

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  23. ..and we are all grateful as well..he is a gifr to all of us who follow his path..and he is such a great teacher!

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  24. Wow, it's great to hear about it..


    ==========================
    It's all About Pet Fences | Dog Fence

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  25. My goodness, has it already been one year? Oh yes, I believe dogs can be grateful...and thankful as well, with all of my heart. What a blessing this past year has been...such a precious gift of time for your family, and one that I'm very grateful and thankful to have been able share in.
    Wishes for many more peaceful nights Wilfy...
    xo J~

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  26. I am thrilled that it's been a whole year! Wilf has definitely been a great example for a lot of us! Give the old fellow a hug for me.

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  27. I'm grateful he is still here and you are still sharing his sweet face with us.

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  28. I do believe dogs can still be grateful. I'm grateful that he's still with us. I love Wilf and keep him in my nightly prayers.

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  29. Most definitely :) I too am grateful for Wilf. He (and his family) but a smile on my face daily. He is a true testament to what love can do for someone, that medicine cannot.

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