Noah's story
Some of you may have read about Noah, the German Shepherd who gave his life for his family when they were caught in a crossfire. Here is the full story, which is remarkable. I was very touched by the father’s grieving for Noah, and by the generous gesture of a woman who’d read about their loss. http://www.aol.com/article/2015/01/09...
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Therese
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Jan 14, 2015 12:59PM
Way to get me teary-eyed on this Wednesday afternoon… They are so much more than "just pets."
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I once read that dogs were the only animals on the planet that love their people more than themselves, Therese.
Very touching story, and so true...dogs do love their owners more than they love themselves. Thank you Sharon, for sharing this story with us today.
*Cough cough*Don't tell my adorable little Gracie (feline) that, Sharon. She is unpredictable with other people, but she is very affectionate and very much a mama's girl to me. I absolutely adore how she focuses on what I CAN do instead of the numerous things I can't. Total acceptance. How can you beat that?!
That is such a precious gift, Therese--unconditional love.
More than you will ever know… More than just unconditional love. Acceptance as I am, not as she wishes I was. She has done this in a way that none of my other cats have shown. I can't feed her, play with her, etc., but she knows where to get love and shows me what I CAN do. I can be there for her. I give her security. She continues to teach me every day in addition to all the love she gives, not to mention we share plenty of laughter.Perhaps if I had your gift of words I could explain the difference better. Then again, some things just cannot be explained fully expressed, only experienced.
I think you explained it very well, Therese, words that are sure to resonate with other pet lovers. I feel sorry for people who never learn what joy our dogs and cats can give us. I think Gracie and you were lucky to find each other.
Thank you so much for your kind and understanding words. On and off throughout my life I have had cats, just as I have lived alone more than not. However I am not alone, but whatever when I have with me has something specific to teach me at that time in my life. It really is quite amazing. Cleo, who just passed in 2011, showed me courage, whereas Lucky lived Life in the Now unlike I have ever seen it done before. I learn from them all the time. I have no doubt that Gracie and I were meant for each other, especially at this time, not to mention the way that it came about.
I agree with you, Therese, that while we love all our pets, every now and then one comes along who is truly special. And they often come along when they are most needed, just as you say.
I hadn't seen your posting, but I just posted this on facebook. Animals have such noble souls
Especially German shepherds, Roberta! Their instincts to protect their people seem to be bred into their very bones.
They have such aware, intelligent eyes. When they look at you, you know a real soul is looking back!
it's the wolf in them. They are such social and family loving animals. And once they believe you to be part of the pack, they will literally die for you.Of course they are not called German Shepherds for nothing :-) we are known for our loyalty, even when not always deserved. There even is a term for it : "Nibelungentreue". So only partly joking here with the term "German" and "loyalty".
Should anybody be interested where the term Nibelungentreue originates from and what it implies, I'll be habppy to explain it.
Nibelungentreue has its existence from the Nibelungenlied THE German epic. Treue means loyalty and the Nibelungen follow the "villan" Hagen into death, because he is their kin and they have sworn loyalty to him. So even though they know he did wrong they stand by him and they all die. Therefor Nibelungentreue is always associated with disater and often ending in death, even though loyalty in itself is something wonderful. It is also used in terms of World War I were Germany stands by their ally Austria (even though other political aspects were far more important) and in World War II were Germans followed their leader blindly, not wanting to know what was going on, because it would be disloyal and therefor not German.
So right or wrong to stand loyally behind your ally, king, leader, friend whatever is what Nibelungentreue is all about.
Thanks, Anduine. I'd never encountered this word before. Of course I don't speak German. :-)
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