This is the saddest thing I have read in years .Ode to a Dog

[hatredisnotavalue]

Last Night
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peek.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.
- Author unknown
please visit the duers who have lost pets this week

[kikiek]

1. That is wonderful. We lost ours July 30th. I am going to print that

one up and put it by Max's picture.

[hatredisnotavalue]

2. Me too

We lost Buffett April 20.

[kikiek]

6. I am sorry. I bet you did your share of crying today too. Seems like

a lot of loss today.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. DUers who lost their furbabies today

Kevin Mace lost Bobby Lee
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3915532

DemoTex lost Sirius
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3917444

:cry: :grouphug:

They are both young and healthy again..playing together at the Rainbow Bridge

[hatredisnotavalue]

5. why are we so stupid about these stupid dogs

God, I miss Buffett so much, he died a year ago and we got another stupid dog, who I love almost more that I love my kids

[kikiek]

7. Cause they always love us.

[hlthe2b]

4. Beautiful, but wrenching.....

I have internalized so much of the pain that weighs so heavily for our Duers who have lost their loving dogs today. Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to have fully experienced the unconditional love from a dog, which transcends the pet-owner relationship--can fully understand.

If there is a God, they surely have given us a gift in the form of our dogs, yet the all-too short lifespans must surely be the ultimate test of faith. It seems so very cruel to let go so early. But, through the pain of loss, the precious gifts I've received from every one of my beloved dogs leave me very grateful.

There truly can be no "heaven," if our beloved pets, who have gone on ahead, are not there waiting to greet us.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Beautifully said... I agree with every word. I have had dogs my entire

life and cannot imagine not having one or two, even tho I know that with each new pup comes the knowledge that one day I will have to grieve its loss.
But the happiness, love and devotion each one brings to my life so outweighs the sadness, that I could never consider life without my furbabies.

[hlthe2b]

12. thank you...

I agree: it is we who are blessed. I can't help but feel very sad for those who do not like dogs. Ditto, those dog owners who banish them to the outside and ignore them (they are only mere dogs, after all :eyes:). What a treasure, they are missing!

The instinctive bond between dogs and their "human guardians" can reach near telepathic levels, at least in my experience (I was convinced I shared that with my now deceased yellow lab, Radar--hence the name). My current little girl knows when I'm experiencing a migraine and woun't bother/wake me to take her out. Yet, when I'm otherwise fine, it is back to those early morning and late night routines!

The posts detailing the loss of two beloved "pups" among our DUers today broke my heart--time to give my own a bit of extra love!

[driver8]

14. Wow...that is so true. You brought tears to my eyes with that one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. It is a truly beautiful poem...

It made me cry to read it...

:cry:

[Poiuyt]

10. Tribute to a Dog

This was written by Sen George Vest who was acting as a lawyer in an 1870 trial. It was in a suit against a man who had shot his clients dog. His client received damages of $500 even though the maximum was $150.


Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son and daughter that he has reared with loving care may become 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 when he may need it most. Man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees and 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 head.

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 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, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as content in his love as the sun in its journey throught the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the cold, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard him against danger, and to fight against his enemies. When the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

-Senator George Vest, 1870.

[flvegan]

11. Nominated. Thanks.

[steely]

13. beautiful poem

I still miss my cat - we kind of snyc'ed up with each other.
She had a real - look you in the eye - personality.