The one, absolute, unselfish friend

That man can have in this selfish world

The one that never deserts him

The one that never proves ungrateful

Or treacherous, is his dog. 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 come in the encounter with 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.

G. G. Vest

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