A Pet's Ten Commandments & Top Ten Insured Dog Breeds

This dog, BRUTUS, is truly an amazing animal!


The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord. He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq . His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant 'go away but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.


K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner

Thought you'd find this interesting. Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!

Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself ifsomething might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!



Nation's Largest Pet Insurer Reveals Top 10 Insured Dog Breeds


Nearly Twice As Many Labrador Retrievers Insured Than Any Other Dog

BREA, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- True to its name, the Labrador
retriever keeps coming back. Year after year, the Labrador retriever is
America's most popular insured dog breed. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI),
the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently
analyzed its insured database to find the top 10 insured dog breeds of
2007. The Labrador retriever was first, while the golden retriever came in
a distant second followed by the Yorkshire terrier.

Breed Number Average Non-Routine
Insured Medical Costs Per Year
1. Labrador Retriever 38,591 $287
2. Golden Retriever 19,313 $279
3. Yorkshire Terrier 14,074 $245
4. Shih Tzu 13,149 $207
5. Boxer 10,281 $295
6. German Shepherd Dog 8,829 $296
7. Chihuahua 8,581 $215
8. Maltese 8,064 $241
9. Pug 7,404 $249
10. Cocker Spaniel 7,187 $252

According to registration data from the American Kennel Club (AKC), the
Labrador retriever has also been the most commonly registered breed for the
past 17 years. The breed is the only one to occupy the same position (No.
1) on both the VPI and AKC lists. While the AKC's registration numbers
indicate a large amount of registered beagles (No. 5), dachshunds (No. 7),
poodles (No. 8) and miniature schnauzers (No. 10), none of these breeds
were among VPI's 10 most commonly insured breeds.

"Labrador retrievers have a strong reputation as loyal, obedient dogs
that do well with children and adapt easily to their surroundings," said
Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer
for VPI. "Whether it's the affection of a Yorkshire terrier, the
protectiveness of a German shepherd, or the playfulness of a pug, each of
the most commonly insured breeds has qualities that lend themselves to a
meaningful human/animal bond that pet insurance can help to protect and
preserve."

VPI also calculated the average amount its policyholders spent on
non-routine veterinary care for each of the top insured breeds in 2007. The
medical care costs (the average annual submitted claim amount) appear
directly related to the size of the breed, with larger breeds costing more
than smaller ones. The disparity of expense is most likely due to the fact
that larger breeds can require larger doses of medication. While claimed
amounts can total thousands of dollars depending on the condition and
treatment, the highest average claimed amount for non-routine medical care
in 2007 was $296 for German shepherd dog owners.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the nation's
oldest and largest pet health insurance company. Providing pet owners with
peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted
choice of America's pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI
Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple
medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and
injuries. Optional Pet WellCare Protection(SM) for routine care is also
available.

Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. More than 1,600 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as
an employee benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance
Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company,
an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about VPI
Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.