Rylee: Jan. 2010 - Feb. 2024 - 14 years

[mark_t1012001]

The Power of the Dog

Rudyard Kipling 1865 – 1936

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?

This poem is in the public domain.

[finsfurfeathers]

Sorry to hear her passing. Comfort in the memories and ease the pain with the pup

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

So sorry for your loss.

I lost my black Lab girl (Cali) on Jan 31st 2021 to stomach cancer. She was only 7 years old. It literally tore my heart out. I have never grieved that badly before and it took many months for me to get back to normal. My new chocolate lab is more attached to me than my former black lab. It's almost like she knows exactly what I'm thinking at all times. I am dreading the day when she leaves us. I'm not sure I can handle getting another puppy, but time will tell...

[Articcat]

Sorry to hear but the memories and good times will always be in your heart

[Labsrule]

Sorry for your loss

[Sharon]

Sorry for your loss; it is never easy.

[ninepointer]

There are no regrets when a hunting breed gets to live a hunting life. Your dog’s life was a great one. That’s thanks to you.

[anglodrkns]

So sorry to hear of your loss. Its never easy losing a member of the family

[sabmgb]

there is a special bond between hunter and dog that will never leave. You will get over the pain, but you will not ever get over the joy that you had with your dog.