Sunday 22 November 2009

FOR ANGEL SNICKERS

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

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 passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to 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-term 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?

But we do. Oh how we do. Completely and wholeheartedly. Our hearts go out to you Mama and Papa Lamb. Run free sweet Snickers. Love follows closely at your heels. Posted by Eric and his Mom.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

What a beautiful sentiment. Yes, pain is indeed the price we pay for love. And worth every tear.

Your pal,

Petey

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

Your post made me cry, Eric.
Hug you Eric, we all lost a dear lovely friend today!
Gussie is right, the bridge is even more beautiful because Miss Snickers is there.
Love you

TwoSpecialWires said...

We'd never read that poem by Kipling. We'll read it again and again. And, in response ... Why do we give our hearts to a dog to tear? Because of their unfailing love for us. And because it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Dogs give their love freely. They don't ask us why we love them in return. We should not have to offer any explanation other than, "Just because. Just because you make our lives more complete."

Hug your family for us.
Love
Jake and Fergi and family

Molly the Airedale said...

What a beautiful poem, Eric! Mom can't seem to stop crying. It's just too sad.

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Gus said...

Eric...thanks to you and your mom for sharing that. Kipling has a cadence unlike any other, meant to be read aloud.

So now Dad knows we are nuts.

Gussie

Dexter said...

Oh Eric, what a beautiful poem. We could hardly read it we are so sad.

Slobbers,
Mango

Jans Funny Farm said...

We just found out a few minutes ago and were shocked. We hoped Snickers would pull through.

The poem is beautiful.

Toffee said...

Agreed with Petey - worth every, single, tear.
Snickers will be missed.
xo

the many Bs said...

that's a beautiful poem. we were all pawing for a miracle. missy Snickers is an angel now.

sad woofs.

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh dear oh dear. htis poem has PL2 really going......We love you our dearst boy..Love PL2 and A+A

Lorenza said...

Eric.
I am very sad too.
Thanks for sharing that beautiful poem.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Snickers and her family.
Take care
Lorenza

Chef said...

Eric, what a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it, my friend. We can hardly read it because of Mama's tears. So sad for Snickrs and her family.


xox
Chef

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Mom knew her transport was watched today by a special angel...

It was best of times and the worst of times...

Tank woo fur your furry touching post fur a furry special girl!

Mom has had me share some words from an Unkhle Tupelo song 'not furever, just fur now;

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Jake of Florida said...

We thought we had spent all our tears, but that poem started them afresh.

We'd never read that Kiplng poem -- but oh how true it is.

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

Koobuss said...

Oh that was beautiful, Eric.

Dogs can tear your heart to pieces with their unconditional love. It is so unfair that we can't have them forever.

Snickers put up quite a battle. But a little dog has no chance against the hideous and cruel disease that cancer is. We are just angry and sad that poor little Snickers suffered so much.

Love and Lots of Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie

Asta said...

My Sweet Ewic and Squawe Mom
Now you've gone and town at ouw heawts again..how can one wead that bootiful poem and not weep copious teaws..Mommi has done it so many times..it huwts beyond wowds yet she'll do it again she says, because thewe is nothing like the love of a dog and absolutely wowf the seawing pain of loss.
Thank you sweet Ewic..I tweasoowe youw fwiendship and wisdom
smoochie kisses
ASTA and Mommi

Sally said...

We were so heartbroken at the news of Snickers - all out thoughts and prayers are with her family and our blogging community - we lost a dear friend.

Hugs
D, Sally and Paddy

Martha said...

To think that Rudyard Kipling felt that pain over 100 years ago and it still rings true with all us doggie bloggers!
That was a lovely tribute to Miss Snickers who, although we did not know her, has clearly been loved by so many.
She will be missed here by the DWB community but of course her loss will be keenly felt by her own family.
Their hearts will be torn right now and we know how unbearable that is.
Like Rudyard Kipling, after losing a dog, intially our humans thought - never again!
It is a testamy to us dogs that so many humans open their hearts up to that pain.
Of course the reason they do is they realise the joy, love and laughter during a dog's lifetime is well worth the having.
A lovely tribute Eric.
Hugs and kisses
Martha & bailey xxx

Martha said...

Clear our human was feeling so sad she couldn't spell testimony!

Poopsie aka Blue said...

What a lovely poem & tribute to sweet Miss Snickers.
It is such a sad time.

Love, pats & pets
Blue

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Eric...this poem is lovely...we had never read it before, but it expresses our sentiments also...Mumsie sez were just gifts to her...(somedays we're better gifts than others...)and that we're like borrowed angels...well, I know I'm an angel, but my brothers? I'm sorry...but nooooooooo...last time I checked there were no wings on either of them...I blend mine carefully into my recently highlighted fur...

We thank you for posting this...we are going to miss dear Snickers very very much...we're sending zen to Butchy so he can share it with his parents...

Kisses, dear Eric...

Laciegirlie

Hamish Westie said...

I like that Kipling chap. He understood that us furry creatures are worthy of literary attention.
And he makes great cakes!
Cheers, H.

tula monstah said...

hi E- a wonderful post for sweet snickers angelgirl-run free!

& thank u GOODness you came wigwaggen by my bloggie, i was getting fURRy hungry.

click & treaties for ya,
tula

peeses: how's the foofoo furdo coming along? post pics plz.

Dewey Dewster said...

Eric....what a beautiful poem....ya made Gram cry...fer sure.....but ain't it so true ???? We all got extra kisses after we heard about poor Ms Snickers.....made us feel even more special than we are.....

Look over the meadow and up the ridge.
Another sweet child found the Rainbow Bridge.


Dewey Dewster here...

Bella and Ollie said...

Such a beautiful poem and so true.
All my love to you and your family.

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Anonymous said...

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