Rather than say something else, I'll post this-
Lakota Native Legend
When the world was created, First Man and First Woman struggled to stay
alive and warm through the first winter. First Dog struggled also.
Deep in the winter, First Dog gave birth to her pups. Each night, she
huddled in the brush of the forest, longingly watching the fire which kept
First Man and First Woman warm.
First Winter was severe, so cold that First Dog dared not leave her pups
to search for food to fill her own belly, fearing that her pups would freeze
to death in her absence. She curled around them, but the wind was bitter. Her
belly shrank with hunger, and soon she had no milk. The smallest pup
perished, and First Dog felt her own life draining away as she struggled
to care for the remaining pups. Fearing for the fate of the others, she knew
she had no choice but to approach the fire and ask First Woman and First
Man to share their food and the fire's warmth.
Slowly, she crept to the fire and spoke to First Woman who was heavy with
child. "I am a mother," said First Dog, "and soon you will be a mother
too.
I want my little ones to survive, just as you will want your little one to
survive. So I will ask you to make a pact."
First Woman and First Man listened. "I am about to die. Take my pups. You
will raise them and call them Dog. They will be your guardians. They will
alert you to danger, keep you warm, guard your camp, and even lay down
their life to protect your life and the lives of your children. They will be
companions to you and all your generations, never leaving your side,
as long as Mankind shall survive. In return, you will share your food and bring them inside for companionship and
the warmth of your fire. You will treat my children with love and
kindness, and tend to them if they become ill, just as if they were born from your
own belly. And if they are in pain, you will take a sharp knife to their
throat and end their misery. In exchange for this, you will have the loyalty of
my children and their offspring until the end of time."
First Man and First Woman agreed. First Dog went to her nest in the brush,
and with the last of her strength, one by one, she brought her pups to the
fire. As she did so, First Woman gave birth to First Child, wrapped her in
Rabbit skins, and nestled First Child among the pups by the fireside.
First Dog lay down by the fire, licked her pups, then walked away to die under
the stars.
Before she disappeared into the darkness, she turned and spoke once more
to First Man, "My children will honor the pact for all generations. But if
Man breaks this pact, if you or your children's children deny even one Dog
food, warmth, a kind word or a merciful end, your generations will be plagued
with war, hunger, and disease, and so shall this remain until the pact is
honored again by all Mankind." With this, First Dog entered the night and returned in spirit to the Creator.
