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| The family... |
Last night was a difficult night. Our Golden Retriever had to be put down. She was a dear, loyal friend for many years. We half expected that she wouldn't be here last winter, but with the new pup arriving, she perked up a bit and let the puppy drag her around the house and they played while she reclined! It was a sight to behold.
But yesterday morning, her eyesight suddenly just didn't seem right and she didn't want to go down the porch steps or up them. Going up and down has been a problem physically for a while, but she's done it. She had developed laryngeal paralysis, which eventually affects the hind limbs, and it had begun to do that. Where her back end had been weak with hip problems in youth, it finally gave way in old age.
So it was time to say good-bye.
And as I wrote this morning, I was reminded of an old Girl Scout song I learned so many years ago -
"Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold."
I have a new friend, but my gold will always be my remembered friend.
Pippi
She slept by my bed
by my feet
by my head
She slept
and kept
watch over fears.
I stroked her face
as she slipped
from this place;
I stroked
and choked
back the tears.
Golden retriever,
so gentle,
receive her;
Gold sleep,
night keep
my friend near.
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm has a happier dog poem to share today, PLUS lots and lots of links to other poetry! Go there for this week's Poetry Friday fare!
I am so sorry for your loss, Donna. What a well loved and lucky dog to have been adored so kindly. As Cynthia Rylant writes in DOG HEAVEN, she will be there at the door someday for you...they know. I hope your pup and kitty are able to play together, and I'm thinking of you. Such a beautiful, heartbreaking poem. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Donna. It is so hard to say goodbye to older animal friends. Your last line touches me: "night keep/my friend near". It is a wonderful and loving poem for dear Pippi.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about your faithful companion--it is so hard to say goodbye to our pets.Thanks for sharing your lovely poem for Pippi.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for you.
ReplyDeleteYour poem made me tear up, Donna. So hard to let go!! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dear furry family member. I'm glad you also remember the joy that Pippi brought into your lives. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteDonna, I am not a dog person and I have a hard time understanding folks' connections to their dogs...but your poem is exquisite in both expressing the simple depth of your connection to Pippi and in bidding her goodbye. She leaves you honored by these golden words.
ReplyDeleteOh, such a beautiful post! My heart breaks for yours! We, too have loved and lost several "golden" retrievers that are now our treasure in Heaven, waiting for us there. May your heart be comforted by all the love you shared - it's not lost but locked forever in your heart.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem remembering your golden friend. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry, Donna. You've written a beautiful goodbye poem for her... no doubt her tail is wagging.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, Donna. I'm sure writing the poem was a comfort, as was reading it.
ReplyDeleteCondolences. You poem brought back memories of sending our beloved dogs off to that "Gold sleep" while choking back tears (or not -- sobbing, actually, and dripping tears into their fur as they left us...)
ReplyDeleteHello, all. Thank you for your hugs and condolences. It was such a difficult thing to do, but necessary. I still think of her and make room, hopping over her spot by my side of the bed, when I get up. She's not sprawled on the floor there anymore, but I forget still. Ginger is young and "alpha" enough that she hasn't really noticed - except that she has to bug us more to play with her, since Pippi isn't there. The cat is having a harder time adapting - running up and down stairs and meowing like he is not sure where his buddy is. Noah (the cat) loved to run on her nose and chin...and Ginger doesn't hold still long enough to do that! I still tear up...but that's what happens when you lose your friend of 13 years. I'm happy that she isn't in pain and scared any more.
ReplyDeleteGinger and Noah will keep us entertained....and it will become easier to reminisce and talk about Pippi.