John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

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.

cessnalvr Loc: West virginia

Nice

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

I would add a loose quote of a fellow Hog, who recently looked at my avatar & suggested (quite correctly IMHO), that there is very little in life that a dog's presence can't improve.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

Rudyard Kipling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a genius of a man.

usken65

You should always attribute.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I had saved this in Notes a long time ago and neglected to save the author’s name. Thanks to someone who did know.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

do a google search of Kipling.he was wonderful in many ways

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Schoee Loc: Europe

says who?

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good poem, John.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Thank you for that!
Remember, Dog spelled backward is GOD.
Don

CaptainBobBrown

Yes, it's like that line about the poor dyslexic agnostic lying at wake all night wondering if there is a Dog.

It's true though that losing a dog is heart wrenching for most dog owners. My vet told me the other day that U.S. veterinarians as a group have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in part because of the constant stress of loss and trying to console grieving owners. Not everyone is fit to host dogs in their homes but for most people a dog is a solace and reason to keep on going on when life's tribulations seem insurmountable.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

"Heaven goes by favor. If it went by favor, you would stay out and your dog would go in" Twain.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Over the years I have sat on floor in my vet’s office and held all my labs in my arms while the final shot was administered. And then I would cry like a child at the loss of a dear friend and loved one. I know there are those who feel they just could not do that due to the sorrow it brings. However, each if those dear furry friends had spent their lives trusting us to be there for them, and thought if them ending their earthly journey alone was more than I could bear.

Even now, years later, while my current lab, Mason sleeps at my feet, I miss each and every one of them. I take great comfort in the endless happy memories of my time with each of my dear dogs. My days on earth have been richer because of the dogs in my life. ❤️🐾❤️🐾 I truly love my dogs.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

If it went by Merit