Managing editor

Watching the news Wednesday night I came across a very interesting story. At least it was to me as I am an animal owner – four dogs and four cats.

It seems there was a police dog killed in the line of duty and the city and police department were holding a ceremony to honor the animal. The reporter said there had been some critics of the gathering, saying those in attendance were paying more attention to the dead dog and little or none to the person who had killed it and was then wounded by police. Duh!

Of course all the attention was being given to the dog. After all, this wonderful animal had given his life to save his human friend.

For those who have never owned or spent any time around a dog, you have lived a sheltered life.

They are perhaps the most amazing creatures on God’s green earth.

I have many human friends, some of whom I have known for decades. But when it comes to loyalty and companionship, you can’t beat a pooch.

No matter how bad my day has been all I need to do is go home and be with my dogs and my whole attitude changes.

Dogs never seem to have a bad day. If they do, they don’t show it.

A dog has never cheated me out of any money or tried to sell me something I didn’t need. I can’t say that for some two-legged creatures walking this earth.

A dog’s love in unconditional. They don’t care what color you skin is, or how much money you make.

They certainly don’t care what kind of car you drive. The only thing that is important to them is whether or not they can stick their head out the window as you drive down the street.

A dog will never say things behind your back. They will never lie to you and they won’t stab you in the back.

Dogs are hard workers and never shirk their duties. Ours protect us every day from dangers such as vicious attacks by school buses and motorcycles. Should either or both of those kinds of vehicles come close to our house, at least one of the dogs will run to the window and bark incessantly, warning us of the pending danger. So far, neither my wife nor I have suffered any injuries at the hands of those vehicles.

They also keep a close watch on our trees, barking to tell us every time they see a limb that has fallen to the ground. And for some reason this seems to happen only in the wee hours of the morning, more specifically between about 2 and 4 a.m.

And, perhaps because they are closer to the floor and can see it better, they will bark to tell us when their water bowl is empty. All, part of their job.

Dog’s don’t hold grudges.

Dog’s are pack animals; they just want to belong.

They don’t care what your religious or political beliefs are.

All a dog wants is love, and lots of it.

That’s all that police dog wanted from his human. He just wanted to know that he did a good job every day and that his human loved him.

Apparently there were a whole lot of others who loved him too as evidenced by the turn out at his memorial service.

As for the man who killed the dog – I hope the system throws the book at him.

I for one am tired of people treating animals inhumanely and only receiving a slap on the wrist. I think it is time we toughened our animal-cruelty laws and made violators pay a hefty price for their actions.

Wouldn’t you want that kind of justice if somebody hurt or killed you best friend?

And just a note to our cat-loving readers – I love my cats also, or I wouldn’t have them. But cats are cats and dogs are different. I think you know what I mean.

Douglas Grant is the managing editor of the Suffolk News-Herald. Contact him at doug.grant@suffolknewsherald.com