Four Legged Friend

Many of you will have had the experience of losing  a dear pet.  The grief can be just as bad as the death of a dearly loved human being.  I penned this when I realized that, at the age of fourteen, the life our our wonderful dog, Brandy, was drawing to a close.  I am sure it will strike a chord with those who read this.

The Old Dog

Deaf now - he does not hear his Master's tread

Nor wag his tail or lift his head at his approach.

Eyes, once so bright and eager are filmy now

And do not see so clearly the grasses and the tree

Where he once wandered free.

The coat, so fine and glossy, is coarser and no longer gleams

As he lies huddled in the chair and dreams his nameless dreams.

The days spent wandering in the garden

Or racing up and down the Daisied lawn are memories now

As he lies panting in the heat,

Looking so old, so sunken and forlorn.

He sleeps most of the time these days and heavily snores

And twitches in his sleep

His stiff legs kicking now and then as  if  running swiftly

Towards some great appointment he must keep.

He cannot know as he lies dozing

The joy he brought his owners down the years,

How, when he was a clumsy little puppy

He reduced them both to laughter and to tears.

Faithful friend and loyal guard

Companion true in times of stress

The trusting eyes, enquiring face

That seem to smile for joy at each caress.

Sleep well, old friend, sleep well

And dream your well-earned dreams.

Your time will soon be done and you will pass

From human sight into that great and wondrous light.

Memories remain to linger down the years

Whilst you shed all your fears and you run

Young again, where no death is, nor age, nor pain -

To bound and chase where life is never done

And roll in greenest grass beneath eternal sun.

 

Copyright 1995