Who can describe the years that we spent with our dogs? Who can exactly talk about the feeling that permeated that period? We may not have thought of him or her all the time, and they may not have been the center of our lives.
But they were a part of us. A part of our security, and a part of our home. Their smell was around us, and their bark was around the corner. And even though we may have other dogs after they are gone, and will love them as much, we can never bring back those feelings, and those years.
Our friends leave us and go, but they leave such a silent and strong stamp on us that we carry their paw prints on our hearts for the rest of our lives.
MEMORIES
"Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved."
--- John Galsworthy ---
Posted by Sandor at 09:48 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
I wonder sometimes, that if all the dogs that have lived and died over the thousands of years that man has kept dogs as companions were counted, wouldn't it be amazing to see just how many faithful souls have lived on the earth?
And with each of those dogs, his or her master would stand by them, and what a gathering they would make! The past can never be erased completely, and all of us - dog lovers - are joined forever to each of these dogs and to each of these people. For we share something together. Something that no person who has never really had a dog can understand....
THE BEST PLACE TO BURY A DOG
"There is one best place to bury a dog.
"If you bury him in this spot, he will
come to you when you call - come to you
over the grim, dim frontier of death,
and down the well-remembered path,
and to your side again.
"And though you call a dozen living
dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.
"People may scoff at you, who see
no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people
who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know
something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing. "The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master."
--- Ben Hur Lampman ---
from the Portland Oregonian Sept. 11, 1925
Posted by Sandor at 05:53 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
I often wonder at people who collect dogs for show and critically examine each for defects. It's almost as if they say - "If you have a defect, you're not worthy of my attention". In my opinion, unless the passion for "The perfect dog" is coupled with a greater love for dogs in general, then it's proof that the person is just doing it to push themselves up, and not for a love of dogs at all.
See how in this poem, a dog pleads to demonstrate that he or she isn't built of eye candy. It makes us realize that all dogs are special. And you don't need to be a pretty dog to be a great friend.
Yes, I Am A Show Dog
They asked if I’m a show dog, I heard my Mom say "No".
She said that I was better,
And didn’t need to go.
I show my family that I love them,
With hugs and kisses true,
With extra special tenderness,
When one is sick or blue.
I show my family that I care,
Almost every day,
When strangers pass by our house,
I shoo them all away.
I show my family I adore them,
When I greet them at the door,
With happy yips and wagging tail,
Who could ask for any more?
I show my family that I’m loyal,
And love them all the same,
When they make mistakes with me,
Or forget to play my favorite game.
I show my kids that I’ll protect them,
When Monsters come in the night,
I chase them all out the window,
And cuddle to ease the fright.
So I may not be a show dog,
With pretty hair and bows,
But my family, they do love me,
And it’s for them that I do show.
By Marian Whitley
Posted by Sandor at 11:44 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
Dogs have always been utilized for man's purposes. And sometime, those purposes are merely for fun and not utilitarian like hunting. How do you think a dog feels? They can't talk and they may not understand, but they can feel pain. And they can feel love -Or the lack of it.
Don't you think a dog deserves to live for himself or herself? Not to make anyone laugh or applaud? And when a dog that is used to that treatment finally gets a chance to be normal, how do they feel? Like this:
A Greyhound's Prayer
The greatest thing I've ever known,
Someone came and took me home.
I'm away from the track; hope I never go back!
Like a nightmare in my memory, my future looked black.
Then I was adopted and my life was spared.
I thank God everyday that someone cared.
This must be heaven, I'm a winner this time,
Got a ball, a bone, and a bed that's all mine.
I'm crazy about my family;
Devoted you might say.
Like a shadow beside them,
You bet I want to stay.
I'm special too, they call me "sweetheart",
They hug me and kiss me and tell me I'm smart.
Even dreams are more peaceful; no stress, no strife,
Now I run for fun and not for my life.
Posted by Sandor at 01:56 PM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn some thing from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said,
"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When loved ones come home , always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Posted by Sandor at 04:10 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
Far too many people feel that a dog is more like a toy. An inconvenience when they're bad, and a nice diversion when they're fun. We look at the dog from the point of view of how he/she affects us. Good dog if we're happy. Bad dog if we're not.
Have we ever thought that your dog has an existence apart from you? That they have their own existence and goals of life that may not be linked to yours? In other words, have you thought that they have their own soul?
A Dog's Soul
Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgement carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho'he is unloved,
And he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!
Author Unknown
Posted by Sandor at 06:21 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
Adorable puppies! We all love them, and wish they never grew up....
A Dog's Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!
Posted by Sandor at 05:43 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
I'm going out on a limb here and showcasing a heartbreaking poem. There have been cases where owners have left their dogs out in the cold either because they were moving, or have had a baby, or any other reason.
A dog isn't a toy. He has a heart and even a soul. Read this poem and understand:
A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun.
Too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.
He's been here for days now with nothing to do,
but sit by the road waiting for you.
He can't understand why you left him that day.
He thought you and he were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back, and that's why he stays.
How long will he suffer? How many days?
His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched dry.
He's sick now from hunger and falls, with a sigh.
He lays down his head and closes his eyes.
I wish you could see how a waiting dog dies.
-Kathy Flood
Posted by Sandor at 05:05 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink
Let new dog owners beware! Raising a puppy is not for the lighthearted. Even though they're ridiculously cute, they will give you hell by chewing, pooping, getting into trouble, and their little teeth and claws are sharp!
Oh you'll be rewarded all right. Have no fear about that! But your puppy will require your care and attention, and it's a responsibility not taken lightly as outlined in this poem:
A Poem for New Puppy Owners
Don't smell crotches, don't eat plants.
Don't steal food or underpants.
Don't eat my socks, don't grab my hair...
DON'T RIP THE STUFFING FROM THAT CHAIR!
Don't eat those peas, don't touch that bush,
Don't chew my shoes, what IS this mush?!?
Eat your cookies, drink your drink,
Outta the toilet! Outta the sink!
AWAY FROM THE LITTER BOX, IT'S FOR THE CAT!
(and must you kiss me after that?!?)
Raising a puppy is not for the lazy,
Those rugrats are funny but also quite crazy.
Don't despair through the toil and the strife,
'Cause after three years you'll get back your life!
So let's go for walkies, so you can do your "thing",
And maybe I'll get back my good diamond ring!
Author unknown.
Posted by Sandor at 02:53 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
See Comment • Permalink
You know that story about the camel which insidiously made it's way into the Arab's tent? Well, let me tell you that dog's put them to shame!
It has twice happened with us in our family, that a stray who started off living outside, or just inside the territory of our home has wormed it's way right into our house, and become part of our lifestyle!
But that's OK. After all, they've somehow (God, I really don't know how) wormed their way into our hearts too.... :)
THE STRAY
Monday he said that a crumb would do
Tuesday he asked me to make it two
Wednesday he said he'd prefer to have fish
And not on a paper - he'd rather a dish!
On Thursday he said it was cold out there
So what about letting him sleep on a chair
By Friday he'd made it perfectly clear
That lucky old he was going to live HERE
On Saturday night he took half my bed
And woke me up early to get himself fed
Today we'll have chicken because it is Sunday
I wonder what he'd enjoy eating on Monday
Author Unknown
Posted by Sandor at 04:45 AM. Filed under: Dog Poems
No Comments • Permalink