I remember losing my previous guide dog, a golden lab/retriever called Drew, in March 2011. She was well in the morning but, come evening she started to pass blood and a day later my friend was dead. I recollect coming across the below poem shortly after Drew died and whenever I read it I’m overcome with emotion. This poem will, I believe resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost a dog. They are so, so much more than mere animals.
The Power of the Dog
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THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find – it’s your own affair, –
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!),
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone – wherever it goes – for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent,
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve;
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long –
So why in – Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
K Morris - Poet 
It’s the unconditional love they give that makes dogs so special 🙂
You are absolutely right Chris. Do you have a dog or have you owned one in the past? Kevin
I’ve owned dogs in the past and many cats, but where I live now doesn’t permit ANY pets, so I feed the squirrels and birds instead (shhh – don’t tell anyone else though) LOL 🙂
All the animals each had their own personalities, but the dogs (and only one of the cats) had the unconditional aspect to them 🙂
It is a shame that you can not keep a pet although it is good to hear you feed the squirrels and foxes. I live just next to a park which is festooned (if that is the right word) with wildlife including foxes and squirrels. My neighbours feed the foxes who are not averse to helping themselves from the bins, (most uncouth behaviour by my neighbours, raiding the rubbish like that …)! Thanks for your comment, Kevin. PS; on re-reading your comment I see that you feed the birds (not foxes). Obviously I have foxes on the brain as they are so prolific round here!
This is a beautiful poem and I think that it can relate to any and all animals. I am not a ‘dog’ person but I have a cat that I adore with all my heart. I love the fact that she is always there, always loves me and never judges. I dread the day when she leaves me.
Yes, the poem can relate to any animal (pet) to which we are attached. I like cats but I have a particular affection for dogs having always had one since I was a small child. Trigger is my fourth guide dog. All of them have had their own unique, loveable personalities. I hope that you have many more happy years with your feline friend, Kevin
LOL, there are Foxes here too, but someone else feeds them LOL
Me too! She is 16 now so I keep telling her that she better not even think about doing anything silly! LOL.
My first dog didn’t have a charmed life. I was 12 and we were living in a semi rural area outside of Brisbane in the early sixties. My folks got me a small Tamworth terrier. It killed three of the landlords chickens. I had to dig the dog’s grave, walk up to the landlord’s house, apologise for what the dog did and borrow his .22 cal rifle. Then I had to shoot the dog and bury it, that was my punishment. I’ve had a few dogs since but not in the last 30 years.
That must have been horrendous for you as a small boy. The part of Kipling’s poem where he speaks of “lethal chambers and loaded guns” must, really have resonated with you. Thanks for the comment, Kevin
It was, thanks Kevin.