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?
Why? Love.
ReplyDeleteIndeed ..
DeleteNothing more pure than unconditional love. No expectations, just giving on both sides. Lovely moments. We learn how to love but are never ready for letting goxx
ReplyDeleteI’m more of a pragmatist , if they are ready to go, I have known
DeleteIf only animals could speak human! I think Mary would be saying, "I'm watching over you, to make sure you're alright. If you need me, I'll be there. I love you." xx
ReplyDeleteI wonder constantlynwhat they could be thinking , I’m a firm believer that they do think, they do ruminate
DeleteYou are her world.
ReplyDeleteI am, debra and that’s lovely
DeleteA powerful poem. But there are so many reasons why. Better question: Why not give your heart to a dog to fill? (Or a cat.)
ReplyDeleteA better question that doesn’t scan as well lol
DeleteLovely Mary. Lovely to be loved by her. Thank you for warming my heart this morning. Kipling's poem is a gem.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome susan x
DeleteI catch Mavis staring at me like this frequently, it's a lovely feeling. If I say the words 'should I come and get you' she runs over for a cuddle. They tear our hearts so frequently, no wonder we need to keep getting more dogs to help us heal them again.
ReplyDeleteXxcc
DeleteI can hardly bear when it's time to let one of my dogs go - And afterwards - 5years after my last I am still tearfull - Tich is my 9th in 40 years - I really should never be a dog person - I find it too painful x 💖
ReplyDeleteMary, what a fabulously wonderful little dog!
ReplyDeleteThat poem brings me to tears every time I read it.....how I miss the dogs whose company I have enjoyed over many years. I lost my last girl at the end of September, at the grand age of 18 years. I still find it hard to talk about her without crying, and I cannot yet look at photos of her.
ReplyDeleteDearest Mary sitting there gazing at you like that. What a sweet girl. x
She sat like that for an age….probably wondering why I was in her seat and she was sitting in mine
DeleteBeautiful Mary. There's no greater love.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I think you may be right
DeleteYes , I picked her up and we wandered around the garden with her paws over my shoulders
ReplyDeleteThe best dogs are those who's master are their best friend.
ReplyDeleteShe’s such a special little dog , who loves female company
DeleteAs I find myself facing all too soon , the end, for my dear old Yorkie girl I found some comfort in the lovely poem. TQ xxx
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
It’s always given me some peace and comfort
DeleteAmen
ReplyDelete🦮🐕🦺🐕🐩🐶
DeleteI'll never forget the dog poem I had to read on your big day. And I'd been expecting a nice piece of Oscar Wilde...
ReplyDeleteI wonder what will be read on his next big day ?
DeleteThank you for doing that, you were fantastic
Sweet Mary. A truly lovely girl, her love and devotion to you is amazing.
ReplyDeleteShe is never first , always last
DeleteNever pushy
Not demanding
You made me cry. It's so true.
ReplyDeleteI made myself cry too…..but it’s never hard to do that x
DeleteLovely reaction of yours, just as it should have been. How beautiful Mary is.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed our walk and extra cuddles Raymondo
DeleteI had similar thoughts this week, John, because my sweet Annie seems to be watching me more closely. She is 8 years old now and I notice her slowing down and it breaks my heart. After each of my dogs passed, I have said NO MORE! But, well - you know how that goes. Lovely post. Jackie in Georgia USA
ReplyDeleteMary is 9
DeleteAnd has slowed down noticeably this year
Ahh Mary, I hadn't realised you still had her, you speak more often of Roger.
ReplyDeleteRoger is more in the limelight, he’s dim and gauche and happy.
DeleteMary is now a gentle middle aged soul , feisty when she needs to be , but quiet and a lover of her bed
How lovely. A dog's love is something special.
ReplyDeleteShe a watcher. Like all Welsh terriers …but it’s always a peaceful watch , never a worried one. She’s just watching me
DeleteMary, what a sweetheart. Lovely poem John, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI’ve posted it many times , but years ago now . It’s a poem ive always been moved by
DeleteAh, sweet steadfast Mary. Yes, you are loved.
ReplyDeleteIn tears heree from the apt poem a and remembering Punkin, Daisy, a Shep, and Toby.
Hugs!
The poem’s end lines seem to have that effect ,
DeleteMary is such a sweetie.
ReplyDeleteShe’s a quiet middle aged lady , who never rushes anywhere
DeleteWhat a beautiful poem, John. Just in the past 8 months two dogs--one after the other, both starving--adopted us. Each very unexpectedly. The latest just a tiny puppy who's grown fast. We have an acre for them to romp on, but they're indoor dogs most of the time... with plenty of food and shelter. They do steal one's heart. --Elise
ReplyDeleteKipling captured it just right
Delete…your heart to tear….
Just right
John you have gone through it a few times so you know - like me and many of your followers- just how true that poem is - could only have been written by a dog lover.
ReplyDeleteYes, you feel his pain
DeleteI loved your post today
That is an adorable picture. I have definitely given my heart to a dog to tear (AGAIN), and it's only a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteMy old woolfie is approaching 15 this year each day I wonder if it will be the last. Another Kipling ode:
ReplyDeleteI have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can't forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.
Day after day, the whole day through --
Wherever my road inclined --
Four-feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.
Now I must go by some other round, --
Which I shall never find --
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.
Every time I read that, I become tearful. I miss all my previous dogs.
ReplyDeleteYour animals are all so different and you have a unique relationship with every one. I love how you all have walks and times together, but you also make times for walks with just one dog and moments for them alone.
ReplyDeleteThey absolutely do tear our hearts and fill them with love too.
My thatch is very thoughtful - I've not seen this with any of my others -A couple of days ago as I approached a man and his fox terrier - He said " What have you there "- I said "a. Lakeland "- He said - "that's a Welsh terrier - I've had 2 " x
ReplyDeleteMy schnauzer sits and stares at me like that. I always think he is trying to " hex" me into giving him a treat!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't read that poem as it was 10 years on wednesday that I had to have my beloved first dog PTS., and have been feeling a bit teary without reading poems!