I remember that Dewey was always happy.
Through painful surgeries
and debilitating chronic illness
he always had that wiggle.
I remember that as a puppy
he had a perpetual smile.
He would put on his monster act
to strangers with the deepest bark…
terrifying anyone who would venture
close to his house.
The delivery trucks and the mailman
were certainly there to kill us all.
I am sure he thought
this great display of heroics
pleased me immensely.
I remember that
he loved his ball….
his motto was
“don’t leave home without it.”
He was so very gentle.
He still had all this toys
from puppy hood…
unmarked….
no tears. ..no holes…
just worn to bare bits.
Dewey was with me through
the hardest of times.
When I thought I couldn’t go on.…
Dewey was there…happy… wiggly…ball
in this mouth…distracting me from sadness…
anxiety…loneliness.
Lifting my spirits…
helping me to forget my pain.
Then… he was in pain and
it was my turn…to help him forget.
Smile…be gentle…take him outdoors
to smell the fall leaves and
all the wondrous scents
only he could smell.
As his time to go drew near…
he would look at me and
his eyes seemed to say…take care of me…
don’t let me suffer…
I trust you to keep me
from intolerable pain …
His eyes said…
it’s your job…when the time is right…
I trust you to set me free.
His eyes said… remember me.
Dewey,
You were the best of pups
You were the best of friends.
I will never forget you.
My hope is……
when I am old and
it is my time…… when I start
to cross the bridge to heaven….I
will look ahead and
see my friend.
Dewey will be standing
at the far side of the bridge…
with a welcoming smile,
a wiggly body and his ball in his mouth.
He will be
young and strong and healthy…
he will bound up to me,
and we will cross the bridge together …
together forever……
And we will both remember.
| Linda S. |