Poems

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear.
´Its me, I haven´t left you, I´m well, I´m fine, I´m here´

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I want to take your parcels, I wished I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I´m not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house as you fumbled for the key,
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said ´It´s me´.

You looked so very tired and then you sank into a chair,
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

Its possible for me to be so near you everyday,
to say to you with certainty ´I never went away´.


You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew
That in the stillness of that evening I was very close to you.

The day is over.... I smile and watch you yawning
and say, ´ Good Night, Sweet Dreams, God Bless,
I´ll see you in the morning´.

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide
I´ll rush to greet you and well stand together side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there´s much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out; then come home and be with me


Author Unknown.

A dog on a euthanasia table

I'm trembling and so worried, for I know I misbehaved. I chewed Dad's brand new slippers and saw just how he raged.

I did not mean to wreck them, but my teeth were very sore, and chewing them relieved the pain and made me feel less bored

And when mom came to smack me, I piddled on the floor, For I had held my pee all day and could not get out the door.

They said that I was "wicked", a menace at first glance, and when they tied me up outside, I howled for one more chance.

Rolled over and sat pretty, and did all those tricks they loved But they could not forget the wrong and said they had enough

So they took me to a clinic where the smell alone put fear Into my trembling body, but my cries they did not hear. For they turned and walked out through the door, without a hug or pat.

I wonder if they will forget, and forgive me, when they come back? But why do I feel so frightened, as though they've gone for good.

They said they'd love me till I died, they really said they would.

I'm strapped onto a table and they're shaving my front leg I think I'm getting a needle now, I feel it in my vein...

And why do I feel so lonely? without them comforting me? And why do I feel so sleepy? Oh please God, let them forgive me..

~Author Unknown

A dog sits waiting

A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun, Too faithful to leave, to frightened to run He's been here for days now with nothing to do But sit by the road waiting for you He can't understand why you left him that day He thought you were stopping to play He's sure you'll come back and that's why he stays How long will he suffer? How many more days? His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched and dry He's sick now from huger and falls with a sign He lays down his head and closes his eyes I wish you could see how a waiting dog dies

~author unknown

Old dog.

Why do you stay so near? Go lie in the sun and drowse. You needn't follow my every step, And jump up when I appear. Your joints are stiff; You've earned a rest; Lived your life well; Passed every test. And now you're very dear.

Old dog.

Why do you stay so near? You lie close to my side Each time I pause, Head in my lap, alert to hear Every nuance of my voice. You long ago made your choice And never once looked to the rear.

Old dog.

Why do you stay so near? What is it that you hear? A far-off call, coming closer, That I, too, know is there? With each day our time together Draws nearer to its end. Please stay a while, old friend!

~ June Goodrich

Vi trenger ikke vinne hans tillit elller hans
vennskap; han blir vår venn i fødselen.
Allerede mens øynene hans er lukket,
tror han på oss; endog før han ble født,
hadde han gitt seg hen til mennesket.

Maurice Maeterlinck
i Min hund


Herre, jeg holder vakt! Hvis jeg ikke er her,
hvem vil da passe huset, vokte buskapen
deres? være trofast? Ingen andre enn Du og
Jeg forstår hva trofasthet er. De kaller meg
"Flink hund! Snill bisk!" Bare ord...

Anonym
fra Hundens Bønn


Mannen lå i hele sin lengde på fortauet,
døddrukken og tapt for denne verden.
Hunden ved hans side syntes å måle meg
med triste, bønnfallende øyne. Skjønt hele
verden foraktet den mannen, tenkte jeg,
vil dette stakkars dyret være ham trofast
inntil døden.

Robert Service
i En Bohems Ballade