<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:358553242;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1299738780 -370753002 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:360;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>"My Dog is NOT Human"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>By Bob Perks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Okay, I want to settle this once and for all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I see much discussion on the internet about whether dogs are really people. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Often times people feel that their dogs are exhibiting human qualities and traits.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I will admit that I was caught up in this foolishness, too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After much research I finally have come to the conclusion that "My dog is NOT human."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please don't try to convince me otherwise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Don't start sending me your video clips and recent studies either.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I am a sensitive, caring man and have over recent months experienced the loss of two of my three dogs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>At the time I was convinced that I had lost two of my best friends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I went into deep depression and it took many weeks to accept this.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>But they were dogs. "Best friends" are meant to be people.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>So, how did I come to this conclusion?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Simple.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I have a bad day, my dog doesn't care. I can walk in the door and he will greet me with all the enthusiasm he can muster.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He never carries a grudge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What human does that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I am upset and yell at him, his ears go back and he can feel the anger, but immediately within seconds, his tail begins to wag and he wants to go on as though nothing is wrong. Within seconds!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What human does that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I am suddenly overwhelmed with life and begin to cry, he senses it and doesn't tell me to stop, or "get over it!" He approaches carefully and climbs upon my lap.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>At the first opening he kisses me like I had been gone all day and he is happy for my return.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What human does that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I am broke and my bills are piling up, He doesn't love me any less. His commitment to me is constant and without change whether I am rich or poor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What human does that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I can live in a castle or a cardboard box and he would be content just because I was there with him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I must travel and he is left with others, he doesn't get mad because I didn't take him with me. All he cares about is that I came back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If I have the flu he doesn't stay away fearing he might catch something. He remains by my side no matter what.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The world could hate me and he would not care, for he loves me for who I am to him, not by world standards.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If he is sick he comes to me because he knows that I care enough to help him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>When the time comes and he is old and can no longer run, play, or follow me from room to room, he will let me know that it's time for him to go.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He will trust that I will make the right decision no matter how painful it is for me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He completely, without question trusts, without conviction loves, and without formal, legal, contractual obligation stays.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It truly is an unspoken vow, "to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better,for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What human does all of that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>No, my friend. My dog is NOT human. I wouldn't want to insult him by saying so.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>He is far better than that. And I am far better because of him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>When all else have gone, when everyone has given up on me...he remains.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I ask you, "What human does that?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"I believe in you!"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>J<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Bob<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Becky Frankeberger<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Butterfly Knitting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span> Ponchos<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span> Afghans<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span> Shawls<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span> Custom Knitting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>360-426-8389<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="mailto:becky@butterflyknitting.com">becky@butterflyknitting.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>