Post by Paul on Dec 18, 2004 18:53:53 GMT 9.5
In response to my request for dog stories I received the following letter and poetry:
Dear Paul,
This may be either unsuitable or too late for you to use in your book about dogs.
Spike was my sister's dog but I loved him dearly. She has many tales to tell of him and grieved his death a couple of years ago.........
Patricia Power.
That short note and the poem attached led me to meeting two very gracious ladies, Patricia Power and her sister, Bridget Atkins. Both shared the love of Spike and told me stories of his life which will be related in the correspondence section of this book. However, I feel that Patricia should have the final say in this poetical section, with her adieu to Spike.
SPIKE
It's not the same
when I come home-
no black nose
pressed against the window
no sudden scurry
and excited greeting
as you wriggle with pleasure
and circle round my legs
so wildly glad to see me.
I remember so many things
your pricked ears
and eager rush
at mention of outing.
I swear you understood
my every word.
Your love of the beach
and challenge of waves
your barked contempt
for dogs on leashes
and sad acceptance
when
at last
the law and old age
made you one with them.
In company
a model of sober respectability
but when alone
a whirlwind
a wrecker
an avid scavenger
how often I'd have loved to be
a fly upon the wall
to watch your pranks
and see
what sparked the change.
Old age came and dimmed your sight
and dulled your hearing
but did not quench your spirit
nor lessen your appetite
as when
you downed the chocolate
destined for India
It was, I thought,
a mighty feat
worthy of your youth.
I wonder why the Lord
who made dogs to be
companions to us humans
decreed for them
so short a life.
is it, perhaps
lest we might take this gift
too much for granted
or, more likely,
that their eager service
and their uncritical love
(bordering on the divine)
exacts too severe a toll
for them to match our years?
Thank you, Spike,
you enriched my life
and I like to think that
we will meet again.
Copyright Patricia Power.
For the story of Spike... go to;
dogforum.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=True&action=display&thread=1103675757
Dear Paul,
This may be either unsuitable or too late for you to use in your book about dogs.
Spike was my sister's dog but I loved him dearly. She has many tales to tell of him and grieved his death a couple of years ago.........
Patricia Power.
That short note and the poem attached led me to meeting two very gracious ladies, Patricia Power and her sister, Bridget Atkins. Both shared the love of Spike and told me stories of his life which will be related in the correspondence section of this book. However, I feel that Patricia should have the final say in this poetical section, with her adieu to Spike.
SPIKE
It's not the same
when I come home-
no black nose
pressed against the window
no sudden scurry
and excited greeting
as you wriggle with pleasure
and circle round my legs
so wildly glad to see me.
I remember so many things
your pricked ears
and eager rush
at mention of outing.
I swear you understood
my every word.
Your love of the beach
and challenge of waves
your barked contempt
for dogs on leashes
and sad acceptance
when
at last
the law and old age
made you one with them.
In company
a model of sober respectability
but when alone
a whirlwind
a wrecker
an avid scavenger
how often I'd have loved to be
a fly upon the wall
to watch your pranks
and see
what sparked the change.
Old age came and dimmed your sight
and dulled your hearing
but did not quench your spirit
nor lessen your appetite
as when
you downed the chocolate
destined for India
It was, I thought,
a mighty feat
worthy of your youth.
I wonder why the Lord
who made dogs to be
companions to us humans
decreed for them
so short a life.
is it, perhaps
lest we might take this gift
too much for granted
or, more likely,
that their eager service
and their uncritical love
(bordering on the divine)
exacts too severe a toll
for them to match our years?
Thank you, Spike,
you enriched my life
and I like to think that
we will meet again.
Copyright Patricia Power.
For the story of Spike... go to;
dogforum.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=True&action=display&thread=1103675757
