Blue Eyed Dog
07 November 1993 - 16 April 2003
You treated me kindly,
Beloved master,
And no heart
In all the world
Was more grateful
For the kindness
Than the loving heart of me.
You did not break my spirit
With a stick,
For though I would
Have licked your hand
Between the blows,
Your patience and understanding
Much more quickly
Taught me the things
You would have me do.
You spoke to me often,
And your voice
Was the world's sweetest music,
As you must have known
By the fierce wagging
Of my tail
When your footsteps fell
Upon my waiting ears.
When it was cold and wet,
You took me inside,
For you realized
I was a domesticated animal,
No longer used to the bitter elements,
And I asked no greater glory
Than the privilege
Of sitting at your feet
beside the hearth.
And if you had no home,
I would rather
Have followed you
Through ice and snow
Than rest upon
The softest pillow
In the warmest palace in all the land .
For you were my God,
And I was your devoted worshiper.
You kept my dishes filled
With fresh water and food,
And I would not have reproached you
If they were dry and empty.
I cannot tell you how much I loved you
When we romped and played,
How much I cherished
My walks by your side,
Wanting to to do your bidding,
And standing ready, willing, and able,
To protect you with my life,
Should you be in danger.
And beloved master,
When God saw fit
To deprive me of my health,
You did not turn me away from you.
Rather you held me gently in your arms
As skilled hands granted me
The merciful boon of eternal rest,
And I left you
Knowing with the last breath I drew,
My fate was ever safest
In your caring hands.
