A rough Goodbye

[45er]

Mark,

Here's a poem that may help a little. Even though we've never met, you're the type of man I'd like to have as a friend. - Rob Abbott

A Dog’s Prayer


If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest
Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears,
You’d not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my need they’ll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you,
Who has this painful thing to do,
We’ve been so close, we two, these years,
Don let you heart hold back its tears.

Robin Hooper, verterinary surgeon

 

[Mark4510]

Thanks Rob....very kind of you. I have no doubt that with a common thread such as we have, that we would get along. As I have said before, the door is open for any TBN'r that makes it to Northern CA.

Its been a tougher patch than I would have thought, so your poem along with the one that Jim and Beth sent me help out a lot.


Jim and Beth....thanks for the kind PM and poem.
LEND ME A PUP

I will lend to you for awhile,
a pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn him when he's dead.


Maybe twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe 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 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 labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take
my sweet 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 we'll run.


We'll shelter him with tenderness,
we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
forever grateful stay


But should you call him back
much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.


If, by our love, we've managed,
your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved,
to help us while we grieve,


When our faithful bundle
departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Pup
and love him all his life.

~author unknown~