July 11 2001
Dog
Years ago my husband and I were mourning the death of our cat
we were lost and numb.
It was around Christmas and we didn’t even put up the tree.
On Dec. 22 I had a strong urge to go the local animal pound.
It was a strong and irresistible feeling someone was waiting for me there.
We flew to the shelter and the first dog I saw I knew was the one.
A fat little hound in the kennel with an old blanket and sad eyes.
We took her home and named her Penny. She was my Penny from heaven.
She walked into our home of cats and fit right in. She took over as the “cat police”.
She was like an old English constable never hurting
always loving but kept the house in line with her will.
A friend of mine called her the bank president
old wise trustworthy and ran a tight ship.
She daily displayed she was more than a dog.
She knew exactly what to do in all situations.
People that were afraid of dogs liked her and trusted her.
She would put on her happy friendly face to all she saw and an invitation for a pet.
She did this not for herself but for humans that needed her.
She knew when someone needed her to bound up to them or
to approach quietly with reserve.
I never trained her she just knew what to do.
On a whim from a friend I took her to a canine good citizen test.
She did the commands for the first time that day. We had never practiced any.
She passed wonderfully the best dog there. She became a therapy dog.
She brightened the lives of all who met her.
She was frequently the only dog invited to social human occasions.
She was invited to formal dinners and picnics.
She went on vacation with us every year for 14 years.
She was never in a kennel or left home.
Her special vacation was going to the beach.
She had her own umbrella and beach blanket.
Oh she loved to swim with us in the bay.
She also enjoyed a nice hotel room and we’d get room service for her.
She loved all animals that she met and welcomed many strays
homeless and damaged animals into the house. She was the same with people.
She loved being a farm dog and would hunt and play
keep an eye on the place and keep us safe.
She slept in our bed and loved us equally.
She endured much pain in her battle with cancer.
She had horrendous surgery and was told only 3 months left.
I took her home and thought to give her the best days.
I took her off her diet and gave her pizza.
I took her to the beach and hosted dog parties for her and her friends.
I promised to never bathe her again.
She lived 4 more years and died fat and dirty but with a wag of her tail.
In the end she was only living because she didn’t want to hurt us.
She was always here for us and I had to be there for her.
When it was more than she could bare but still she kept trying I put her down.
I held her and kissed her.
I sang her special song to her and looked in her eyes
as the light left and her body slipped away.
My most clear memory of who she was was a day I went out riding my horse.
I didn’t want her coming with me as we were going far.
I told her to sit and stay. I didn’t need to tie her.
She never needed a leash or tie out.
I took off on my ride and then a storm started hail wind and rain.
As I came down the hill in this storm in the fog and rain
I saw my Penny sitting right where I left her.
The other folks at the farm said they had tried to coax her
in the barn and she wouldn’t budge.
I had been told that they always knew what direction I was riding in
as Penny would face that way and just wait for me.
Sit and stay
Penny mommy is still on the trail
but will see you again at the bridge and we will cross together.
Linda
| Penny |