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Old Dog in a Locket


sea4th
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It's hard for me to read the threads here. I feel everyone's pain, like a punch in the gut, so I often tend to -- not comment. Yesterday on another list, I found a poem that struck a chord with me. Anyone who shared the pain of their loss in this section, IMO, while our numbers might be great, we're still exclusive. Our dogs aren't just dogs. These incredible beings are woven into our life's tapestry. That's why I think that the author of this poem is one of this exclusive group that those on the outside don't quite get, but we do, and that's all that matters. And that's why these words speak to me.

 

 

OLD DOG IN A LOCKET

 

Old dog in a locket

 

That lays next to my heart

 

I will always love you

 

As I did right from the start.

 

You were right beside me

 

Through the darkest of my days

 

It was your kind and gentle nature

 

That made me want to stay.

 

Now I hold you in my arms

 

Your breath still warm against my hand

 

Our hearts still beat together

 

And I wonder if you understand.

 

Through the hours that I held you

 

Before the light did leave your soul

 

I knew a way to keep you

 

Forever in my hold.

 

I snipped the hair from around your eyes

 

So I would always see

 

The beauty that surrounds me

 

Even in times of need.

 

I snipped the hair from around your ears

 

So I would always hear

 

Music in the distance

 

To quiet any fears.

 

I snipped the hair from across your back

 

To bring me strength in time of need

 

And the the power of your essence

 

Would always be with me.

 

I snipped the hair from around your heart

 

That beat in time with mine

 

So I would know that love would find me

 

At some distant time.

 

And so, your life slipped out of mine

 

On a quiet Spring like day

 

But I knew that a part of you

 

Was always here to stay.

 

Old dog in a locket

 

That lays next to my heart

 

I will always love you

 

Even though we had to part.

 

~ Author Unknown

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It must be particularly difficult, reading the new posts in this section after having lost Oliver so recently. Every new post brings back the pain of having lost Missy for me, and that was 19 months ago. Yet, we endure the painful memories because we know that there are others who need our support. I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn't...

 

I cannot say, and I will not say

That they are dead - they are just away!

With a meow or bark, and a wag of the tail,

They have wandered off to an unknown vale,

And left us dreaming how very fair

It must be since they linger there.

And you - O you, who the wildest yearn

For the old time step and glad return,

Think of them faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here;

Think of them still as the same, I say:

They are not dead - they are just away!

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I am having an awful time emotionally when it comes to coping with losing Bute last May. Just thinking about him almost always brings me to tears. Reading anything like these two poems just makes the emotion, always close, rise right up to the surface.

 

So, why do I read this sort of thing? When you feel strongly, then you really know you are alive.

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We said good bye to Buzz a year and 11 days ago. I still miss him, still cry, still look for him. I look at Sam and Shonie, a year older and stiffer, a year slower and creakier. I think, how can I lose them, too?

 

I hate that they go so quickly, and are here with us such a short time. I hate that I can't change it, can't go back and do it differently and make it better, somehow, for us all.

 

I have longer periods between the grief that sweeps me away like a tidal wave, but when it hits, it still hits hard. We had to put Angel Kitty to sleep on Oct 30th. She was Buzz's best friend, and she missed him a lot. Our home that was full of life is down to 2 old dogs and a couple of aging curmudgeons.

 

This is the part of life that I wish I could skip, but I can't. So, I open another box of tissues, mop my face and blow my nose, and remember how much laughter and light each of these darn critters brings into our lives.

 

Ruth

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I hate that they go so quickly, and are here with us such a short time.

I will lend to you for awhile

A puppy, God said,

For you to love him while he lives

And to mourn for him when he is gone.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,

Or maybe for two or three

But will you, till I call him back

Take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you

And (should his stay be brief)

You'll always have his memories

As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise that he will stay,

Since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught below

I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over

In search of teachers true

And from the folk that crowd life's land

I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love

Nor think the labor vain

Nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say

"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,"

For all the joys this pup will bring,

The risk of grief you'll run.

Will you shelter him with tenderness?

Will you love him while you may

And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay?

But should I call him back

Much sooner than you've planned

Please brave the bitter grief that comes

And try to understand.

If, by your love, you've managed

My wishes to achieve,

In memory of him that you've loved,

Cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,

And know he loved you too.

 

-Author Unknown

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I come to this area frequently, even though it always makes me cry. I feel it's something I need to do to express my sympathies to the family, and to acknowledge the existence and the uniqueness of each of these animals. They were loved, and they loved back. Their life, no matter how long, mattered. I can only hope that the same will be said when I pass.

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I miss Oliver, my cat, yes, but although it's been a little over a year since Flick died, I'm still reeling from her death, still lost. I miss her so. You might "get past" the loss of some, but do you ever get over them? If the analogy of our dogs being woven into our life's tapestry, then my life's tapestry is looking very tattered and ratty with huge holes left by the deaths of dogs like or almost like Flick in my life. I guess there's no patching that tapestry. They all took a part of my heart, but Flick took a part of my soul when she died.

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Sebastian the Monter cat was hurt we took him to the vet yesterday. I'm not a cat person but I was very worried.

 

My last BC Bas passed away 3 years ago. I still miss him and even call Jin Bas from time to time.

My BC Surra passed away18 years ago and Fuzzer 20. I call Jin Surra and Fuzzer sometimes as well.

 

They are not forgotten and with Jin sometimes I cry remembering how much they were a part of my life.

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They all took a part of my heart, but Flick took a part of my soul when she died.

 

It took a long time to reconcile the loss of my childhood dog. It took much longer still to realize that I am what I am because of him; rather than loosing a piece of me, I now understand that he is part of me and I carry his spirit with me long after his fragile body failed him.

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What a nice poem. I too feel like I must visit this section even though I get the lump in my throat and tears. I can feel the pain.

Each and every one of the dogs in my life have taught me something. Something about dogs and something about life, they left their mark. No one can ever take that away. They are so special.

Like someone else said so eloquently, these dogs were all loved so much and they mattered.

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I always seem to read this section when I'm at work. Even though I know every time that I'll probably get teary eyed. All the poems and comments in this thread have been lovely. Since my dogs started having seizures, their mortality became so apparent. And with them all around the same age...I fear when one goes, they all will and that will be a very dark time.

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