Did you ever wonder where the phrase Man’s Best Friend comes from, we all say it but who came up with it? Well back in 1870 a man named George Graham Vest from Warrensburg Missouri said it. Vest was representing a farmer suing for damages after his dog Old Drum was shot, in his closing argument he goes on about the value of a mans dog, later on the phrase was shortened to man’s best friend. Enclosed is Vest closing argument. In all my years of showing dogs, breeding and working in Veterinary medicine I never knew this, quite an interesting fact, one I will share.

George Graham Vest Speech – Tribute to Dogs

Gentlemen of the jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

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 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 encounters 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.

　

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Photo courtesy of Fredo Hartman