I remember you,
young, a man new on his own.
He was, too.
You remember him, happy and free,
land for miles to see and under his feet.
It was yours, too.
Together you explored,
but sometimes you simply watched,
smiling with pride as he returned bur-filled but good tired.
Each fall came, and
the fire in the air sparked the fire in his heart
because he longed for the hunt and it had to be with you.
Sometimes he would find the birds
and other times he fetched.
Oftentimes, though, he ran far ahead and you’d have to get firm,
swearing under your breath
He can do better.
Old dog came back, every time, and you always forgave him because he was so happy among the field of orange-colored vests.
Each fall he grew another year older,
so did you, lines dashing your eyes like the gray on his.
Now it seems this farm boy didn’t expect,
that with each passing year, that dog stole more heart space
until he became the extra limb waiting at the gate each morning,
ready for his place with you.
Ready and waiting, eager for the new day’s adventure with our best human.
(Taking part in Backyard Sister’s cinquain writing challenge):
He sighs
Just one more day…
To run among the field.
Disease spreads fast, his body goes.
We weep.
~~~
So sorry. Animals become so much a part of our life, it is hard when they leave.
I’m sorry for the loss of your beautiful friend.
Breaks my heart.. again. We lost our 15 year old black lab Marley almost a year ago and it still hurts like hell (http://walkingpapers.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/life-after-marley/) Sending a bug virtual hug for you guys–and for man’s best friend.
xoxo
I remember reading about Marley’s passing (can’t believe it’s been nearly a year) and just reread it again, this time with tears for a different reason.
I am so sorry. We recently lost our dear girl after 15 years. It is never easy, but we can only be thankful for the wonderful years that we shared with them.
You are so right, and I am sorry about the loss of your sweet friend.
Tugging at my heart strings…
Oh my dear…I know the heartbreak and I know there are no words to lessen it. It is an impossible ache. I am so sorry. Hugs.
This is so beautifully written and heart-wrenching. My heart goes out to you and your husband – I know how much it hurts to lose a faithful friend who has been with you for so long.
Thank you, Dounia – I appreciate it.
I’m so sorry
I’m sorry. My heart aches for you.
Thank you, Maineiac
I know that there will be a big void in your hearts. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thanks Jackie – I know how much you love animals and can understand how hard this is.
R.I.P old dog. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Breaks my heart. xoxo
Thanks, Diane – a very hard part of life!
How beautifully written. My sympathy to you and your family. Losing a pet is such a deep hurt.
I appreciate that, Dianna – definitely came by surprise, both the cancer and our heartbreak.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute.
Thank you, Andrea.
Such beautiful words for a beautiful dog. Having experienced this loss in my life twice, I send you my deepest sympathy for a hurt that is deeper than can be explained. He was so lucky to have a loving human family; all dogs should be so blessed
Thank you Beverly. I can’t imagine being this lucky with a dog a second time around.
We are so close to where you are. Each day my husband and I ask each other if the winter will be too hard, if the arthritis is too much, what is the right thing to do.
So sorry to hear that. I know it’s a tough decision. Hang in there.
So sorry for the your loss. Such a beautifully written piece about him. He will be with you two always.
It’s harder than I thought it’d be. Thank you for reading!
Oh man, breaks my heart. Those sweet puppy faces. So loyal and true. Their lives are far too short. My black lab is 10yrs old and I know her time is not long.
Their lives are far too short, aren’t they? We would’ve been happy to have him for the next 50 years.
May He Rest In Peace. I’m truly sorry for your loss. Keep on the good, amazing memories..
..and I think it’s a “she”.. sorry. I think her name was Velvet?
This post is about our male, who was my husband’s work/hunting dog. But yes, our farm dogs name is Velvet!
My sympathy to you. I’ve had two chocolate labs and now have a black lab/mix rescued from the pound. They are wonderful. We could learn so much from their ability to love.
I agree with you. He was so good and loyal, and really taught us to enjoy the moment.
I am so very sorry to read of the passing of your dear friend.
Know that he would not have left you if there was any way he could have stayed, and that your just being near to him was all he ever wanted. He’ll leave his pawprints on your hearts fur-ever. Hugs to you both and tears for your loss,
MJ
Thank you, MJ. I really appreciate it. My husband, being raised on the farm, holds a different approach to animal death than I do. I think it took us both by surprise how much we came to adore our sweet friend.
Oh, your tribute to your old friend is so full of your love and his that it brought me to tears. It seems terribly unfair that our dogs have such short lives. I am so sorry for your loss and especially sympathize since I am still silently howling in despair for our last two golden retrievers. A truly beautiful post.
Sorry to hear about the loss of Old Dog. They do steal your heart; gradually over time it seems, with each happy wag of the tail that greets you at the end of a hard day – and then completely in the end. Please give Country Man my condolences, and then give him a big, long hug, and one for yourself as well. God bless.
Your words are truly appreciated – thank you very much!
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Your tribute was beautiful, and so was Old Dog.
Thank you – some days are better than others. So glad to be in good company.
I knew, for reading other of your posts, that this time wasn’t far away. So sad for you. We know what it is like to lose such a good friend, a part of the family. We still miss our big yellow lab, Abby.
Thank you for understanding. I so appreciate my fellow animal lovers.
A very fine tribute, and I must agree on loss being one tough aspect of living. Long live our pets… even given the greater likelihood of our outliving them they live on in our hearts while we still keep the good memories – big hugs<3
P.S. I wasn't fully ready to post before, so could you please delete the previous post for me? Thanks!
“loss being one tough aspect of living” — so true. Thank you for reading and sharing!
What a beautiful tribute! I am very close to my dog Yukon, as you can see in my blog post he’s with me just about all the time! It’s hard to put into words what these guys mean to us, and how much they will be missed!! Very sorry for your lost friend and companion!
Thank you, Brenda! I really appreciate it.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your doggy buddy.
Thanks, Thoughtsy – appreciate it.
I’m so sorry you lost your dog. I know all too well how hard it is. I lost my dog of seven years, unexpectedly this August while I was on vacation. The hardest was not saying goodbye. You have so many wonderful memories to remember. Cherish those.
Oh, so sorry Marta. We had the chance to say goodbye, at least. Glad for that. xoxo
A lovely, bittersweet poem and tribute to a true friend. Great photos, too. Especially the one with the pumpkins.
No fair making me get choked up at work…
A beautiful and heart breaking tribute to a wonderful family member. As my house rabbits get older and I realize they are my favorite ever present part of my house, they are the heart, (at least the heart that doesn’t crowd my bathroom). I wonder what I will call this place where I reside, because “home” will travel with them to the other side. So sorry for your loss.
lm so sorry too..what disease it is?
malignant melanoma, a fast-spreading form of cancer. Thank you for reading, and for your sympathies.
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