June 10, 2005
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Ode to an Old Dog
She was good to me, my “Bella,”
after she quit running away.
As a puppy her world existed
within a five-mile radius.
She even tried the freeway once,
to the home of a little girl who needed her.
I always got my Brittany back
but she was a wanderer at heart.
Raised in town but preferring the beach,
always rolling in dead things washed up on shore.
Down to the jetty with me on my walk,
back to the jetty with Henry on a run.
Up to town with the kids for lunch
and back and forth with the neighbors.
She was a beach dog.
But then we left, she and I.
She saw me through the hardest times
there at the foot of my bed.
She kept a respectful distance
waiting for better times
where we took the trail at more than a crawl.
Old dogs CAN learn new tricks.
A dog door leading to a fenced backyard,
she never had to ask permission again.
An acre to roam with a new puppy to train,
she claimed her rightful place.
But there comes a day
when it’s time to leave,
and she chose June 10th,
my wedding anniversary.
And now he’s gone and so is she,
my Bella.
Don’t worry, I’m not taking up poetry. I don’t know how you people do it. I’m just upset and it seemed the way to honor her.
Comments (10)
I am sorry about ‘Bella’. After spending a part of life with a pet, it is difficult to get used to her absence. Peace to her and to you too. hugs!
I think you can take up poetry too. May be this is a new begining.
Ah, sweetie, our beloved pets are way more than pets, they’re life companions, abiding friends, they keep us company in the darkest hours but will frolick and play in an instant too… and those wonderful walks through the woods together… Bella is indeed loved, had a good life with you. I am sorry that her time came, and it is so sad that our dogs don’t live longer, their lives are really far too short. You’ve written a beautiful poem for her… Bella, Bella… I’m thinking of you
*hugs
Yes, you are a poet, and what a lovely way to grieve her. Our animal companions are like angels who come to live with us for awhile, bringing their trust and their joy. So hard to let them go. Hugs.
the perfect way to honor a companion and friend’s absence. it hurts to let them go, even when it’s time. allow yourself the right to feel sad about her absence!
i am so sorry to hear this news, pru. may bella rest in the purest peace, in a place filled with her favorite things. maybe spock and buppy will find her and they will play together forever.
hugs,
lily
Aw, I’m sorry. She was a great dog. Perhaps you will meet again.
…a touching way to express your loss…sorry to hear that…
I’m so sorry to hear this. You’ve honored her before here. And this is just beautiful.
I’m so sorry. This brings tears. It’s so hard to lose a friend like this. You are in my thoughts. /hugs
…hugs… sorry about Bella-it’s a great ode to her.