PAPILLON (BUTTERFLY DOG) CLUB NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUMMER 2009. REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR LINDA HILL AND THE PAPILLON (BUTTERFLY DOG) CLUB                              

                                      The Love of a Dog is Priceless  

I feel sad for all those people who will never know what it is to love and be loved by a dog.

They say things like what about the noise, the hairs and the smell, you don't keep them in the house do you? [Are you sure you don't mean my husband]  

How sad and empty their lives must be, remembering back to when I first got Amber my first Pap, and waited outside our local supermarket [it being a food shop] while Stuart went inside to do the shopping, the owner came out to me and asked why I had not come in with Stuart, I said it’s a food shop, and I did not think Amber would be allowed inside, he replied “it’s my shop, and she is much Cleaner than most of my customers”, [I do hope his other customers did not hear him] so in she went. We found Amber seemed to melt most people’s hearts and goes to many venues where dogs are not normally allowed and is welcomed with open arms. Shopping takes much longer now, stopping every few yards for people to pet Amber, Pip or Kim.  

These people who do not have dogs will never have to spell words out like bath, bed, dinner, treats and going out, because our little Paps are so intelligent they understand so many words we speak. These people will not know what it is like to be welcomed home with genuine love for you, no matter what you look like, or what mood you are in, their love being unconditional.  

There is an old song by Roy Rogers; perhaps some of you will remember it. It goes something like this - A four legged friend a four legged friend he’ll never let you down he’s honest and faithful right up to the end that wonderful wonderful four legged friend. How very true those words are.  

Of course there is a price to pay, [there is always a price to pay] when our Papillon loved ones leave us never to return. No more will we see their dark eyes gazing up at us, their tails wagging with delight at the sight of us.  

These people who never owned a dog will never have their hearts broken beyond repair when they lose their best friend. Yes that's the cost, so why do we pay it over and over Again? Because that is the price we pay for Their love.

In Loving Memory of Dexter ~ Dreamspinner Dexter born on National Butterfly Day the 15th of May 2008 and sent to sleep on the 8th of March  2009                                                                   

                                                          Linda Hill

                                        GREAT GRANSON OF CHAMPION ARDBECK TINKERBELLE