Although sleep deprived because of the bad dream I had, I still decided to go to work much earlier this morning to check on deadlines and to do's to make time in prep of our 4th of July office potluck.  At about 12 p.m. or so, one of my co-workers called my attention and said to go to the lunch room already.  As I walked in, I saw that there was a lot of food--geehz! I am always at a losing end when it comes to buffet type meal such as this one because I am not a big eater at all.  I just took a small plate and got my ever so comfy food Pasta, a bread and some chips. *yep, I eat like a bird which equates to my body looking like a bird he! he! *tweet* *tweet* ;)

then, half-way through our potluck, one of our in-house lawyer decided to share with us The Story of Old Drum--about an 1870 Burden vs. Hornsby Missouri Trial pertaining to a dog that was shot by a neighbor.  We all attentively listened as he narrates the opening statement of the dog owner's attorney, George Graham Vest:

"A man’s best friend is his dog.

Gentlemen of the Jury: "The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog."

"Gentleman of the Jury, 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 the 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 encounters 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."

"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. 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."

• Notables:  "The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog."

Me being an advocate for animal rights, an animal lover and a volunteer for rescuing feral and homeless animals--I could not help but cry after hearing the story.  I am not a radical activist that would impose to all people to help animals--dogs, cats, and the likes--but one of my skippyheart's desire is for more people to be a part of the well-being and protection of animals. 

• For your consideration: [ Unchain a dog] [ Click to Give - The Animal Rescue Site]
  
• Related:  [ Man's Best Friend ] [ Be Kind to Animals ] My Network site: [ For the Love of Animals]

• For your consideration:  Unchain a dog
  
• Related:  [ Man's Best Friend ] [ Be Kind to Animals ] [ For the Love of Animals]

A very moving and poignant video that makes my heart bleed with thoughts on how to help the animals more...

•  Related:  For the Love of Animals - Adopt a Pet / Save a Life!