Slept with me
While my husband worked
All those creepy nights
Mornings I made him scrambled eggs
Never put him on a leash
Let him swim in the middle of the lake
I never knew about
Training
Cages
Or walls
No money
No veterinarian
No packaged foods.
All I knew how to exchange
Was love
In spite of me
He lived many happy years
When he died
I cried
For days
Embarrassed
To grieve
So deeply
For "just a dog"
He was the beginning
Of my organic education
Now I know
Ignorance can seem like bliss
But most often
It's the core
Of human misbehavior
We are all still learning.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is no such thing as 'just a dog' (or cat). They are love personified and take a piece of us with them when they leave.
Oh how you have hit the nail on the head, my friend. We dont know what we dont know. But it sounds like Snoopy was well loved and had a lovely life. When the kids were young, we had a dog named Snoopy, too. I didnt know as much as I do now about animals, their needs and emotions. She was the beginning of my learning. Then came Pup. I grieved for seven and a half years, and miss him still.
ReplyDeleteI too had a dog who was sooo loyal back in the islands. I will have to say that dogs are the best-est friends a person can ever have, this is said from experience. Have a blessed night Myrna. Your dog sounds like he was a great dog.
ReplyDeleteOh what a touching poem about men's best friend and snoopy was well loved
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me as if Snoopy had a wonderful life and, so did you. I still cry over my dead animals from the past because each was so unique and gave so much to me.
ReplyDelete"just a dog"... in quotes.. says everything. Liked this one!
ReplyDeleteThe attitude of learning is important, especially when caring for animals. I love your narration. I suspect the love described here--tho imperfect--is more than many give who "know" what to do.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to know about Snoopy who really had a life well lived. A never failing friend.
ReplyDeleteOnly 'just a dog'...I don't think so...a pet can give a person more love loyalty than they would receive from another human.A pet is often the only thing a person has to live for.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Myrna!! I love that photo of Snoopy. Was he a toy fox terrier? (Looks so much like my three!) And indeed I grieve when pets die as well. They are indeed family!
ReplyDeleteYes, I too can think of things I wish I'd been much more aware of with some of my earlier pets – and yet, we were all happy and loving with each other.
ReplyDeleteAll dog people know that there is no such thing as "just a dog." They steal your heart!
ReplyDelete