Tribute to a dog

Man's best friend has always been, well, everyone's best friend. This quote was written by US Senator George Vest back in 1870:

'The one absolutely 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 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 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 him, he remains forever faithful. 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.'

A dog has so many friends simply because he wags his tail, instead of his tongue.