1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years.  Any separation from you
will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.  Do not break my
spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you.  Your
patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you
want me to learn.
3. Have me spayed or neutered.
4. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world
is more grateful for your kindness than mine.  Don't be angry with me
for long, and don't lock me up as punishment.  After all, you have
your job, your friends, your entertainment.  I have only you.
5. Speak to me often.  Even if I don't understand all your words, I
understand your voice when it's speaking to me.  Your voice is the
sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic
excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
6. Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal
and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements.  I ask for little
more than your gentle hands petting me.  Keep my bowl filled with
clean water;  I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty.  Feed me good food
so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be
by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my
life, for that is what I live for.  However you treat me, I'll never
forget it.
7. Don't hit me.  Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the
bones in you hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself
if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right
food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting
old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old.  You will grow old too.
10. When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do
not make heroic efforts to keep me going.  I am not having fun.  Just
see to it that my trusting life is taken gently.  And be with me on
that difficult journey when it is time to say goodbye.  Never say, "I
can't bear to watch".  Everything is easier for me when you are there.
I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was
always safest in your hands.  I love you.