June 8 1983 —– Dec. 31 1998
Dog
As far back as I can remember Smokey was always a part of my life.
When I was little we’d use him as a horse and he never seemed to mind.
At Easter me and my sister would hide easter eggs under him because
he was so lazy he wouldn’t move. I never remember him playing much
he just always wanted to eat sleep and be petted.
Smokey was a mixed breed.
We never knew exactly what kind of dog he was but it didn’t matter.
We loved him just the same.
Growing up he was always a source of comfort when things were going
wrong in my life. Me and my sister both used him as a friendly
shoulder to cry on. But slowly we began to notice his signs of aging.
He began to get arthritis in his back legs and he couldn’t walk too good.
Many mornings we’d have to help him stand up so he could use the bathroom
and then we’d help him get back into his doghouse,
or let him lay out in the sun.
But December 30 1998 was the worst day of my life.
I had brought my dog out earlier that morning to play in the pen with Smokey.
He was doing really bad because of the cold weather so I put his dog food
in his doghouse and covered him up with some blankets.
I went out there many times that day making him drink eat and keeping
him warm. When my parents went out to check on him that night,
he was lying out in the cold snow half frozen.
They brought him inside but he couldn’t even move his mouth.
All through the night my sister layed by his side and we all prayed for him,
but we knew the end was near.
The next morning we had to make the hardest decision of our lives.
We had our best friend for 15 1/2 years put to sleep.
It was the hardest and saddest day of my life.
When I read this poem it described how we all felt.
Sending Up A Friend
“Hello out there? With this cold stone in my throat
I need to tell you I am sending someone special up.
Please be there to meet him he doesn’t like to be alone.
Hello? I’m sending you my best friend.
His bones were too old to keep by my side.
And now it’s so quiet his blanket is empty his dish is dry.
Listen up out there! You need to know what you’re getting;
You’re getting the best!
When you get blue he will come to lie at your bed
Oh and if he does something wrong don’t scold too harshly
His eyes will tell you he’s sorry.
A warning: If he eats your whole pizza when you turn your back
Apologies. He forgot it was yours…
Hello there? I am sending up my comrade
Please be good to my boy.
Give him a rawhide bone he’s soft and I love him and I am sad.
Please scratch his belly for me
and I will think of it when my hands crave the touch of brown fur.
We all miss you and love you boy.
Whenever we are reunited it will the be the most perfect day of all!
Take care and know I’m sending you up a billion hugs and kisses.
You were never just a pet you were my best friend!
And you were Jamie’s little boy.
You did not go gentle into that good night.
With all my love and my heart,
Jodi
(and Jamie and all who loved you)
| Smokey Joe |