An Old Dog's Prayer

[Hereford bull]

A Dog's Prayer

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done.
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
The time has come please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end,
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain, and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you.
Who has this painful thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

Robin Hooper

This was published in the last edition of Shooting Times and having had to go through this last week with my pal Buddy it did me no go at all!

 

[deerstalker.308]

I know how you feel, they give so much, but by god don't they take it with them when they go. Chin up.

 

[jimbo1984]

Sorry to hear of your loss mate I've been there a couple of times myself and it gets no easier
Atb Jim

 

[Trackerman]

Just talking about this to a friend today, fitting words. I've lost 2 in as many years; one, my 16 year old springer. Yep it never gets easier.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Wheesht!]

Sorry to hear your news.

 

[howy308]

It always hurts like hell!

 

[Jimbo 30 06]

Hereford Bull I know exactly where you are comming from i lost my best ever Springer last November and still miss him. I also have a Border terrier who has bowel cancer i am dreading the day when it finally arrives. We only have them for such a short time it seems unfair that we have to say goodbye to them so soon. So sorry about your loss.

Jimbo

 

[Hereford bull]

Thanks to everyone for their kind messages, mainly I wanted to share the poem. My thoughts are with you for when the sad time actually comes, lets hope he stays as pain free for as long as possible.

Regards

Martin

 

[Hereford bull]

Hereford Bull I know exactly where you are comming from i lost my best ever Springer last November and still miss him. I also have a Border terrier who has bowel cancer i am dreading the day when it finally arrives. We only have them for such a short time it seems unfair that we have to say goodbye to them so soon. So sorry about your loss.

Jimbo

Thanks to everyone for their kind messages, mainly I wanted to share the poem. My thoughts are with you for when the sad time actually comes, lets hope he stays as pain free for as long as possible.

Regards

Martin

 

[ion]

Losing a dog hurts like hell. If there's any consolation it's that compared to my childhood in the 60's when 10 was a brave age for a dog, improvements in food and veterinary care have given me dogs working at the age of twelve and having maybe another two years of retirement. Hope you have good pic's and great memories.
Ion

 

[Bomag]

Cracking poem. Sorry for loss, remember the good times you had together, its the only way I got through it with the ones Ive lost.

 

[paul o']

never a nice time feller sorry for your loss. lots of good pals need good working homes when the time is right

 

[FreshFace]

Reading your poem brought a lump to my throat remembering the two I've lost in recent years, never an easy time for anyone. The memories are always there, the good, the bad and the fun ones.
Steve

 

[Roesack]

The poem was indeed very special.
Unfortunately I have had the same sad experience many times.
The best advice I was given was "only those that have had them can lose them"
Great memories I am sure and a hole in your heart through which the next dog passes.
Best wishes

 

[d foxxer]

I had just buried my 14 year old german shepherd bitch in the garden yesterday evening and came into the house to flick through sd and this poem came up

I took some comfort from the words thanks for posting

 

[Hereford bull]

I know how you feel, they give so much, but by god don't they take it with them when they go. Chin up.

​
Showed this to the wife, she said 'my god that's so true'.

 

[Hereford bull]

I had just buried my 14 year old german shepherd bitch in the garden yesterday evening and came into the house to flick through sd and this poem came up

I took some comfort from the words thanks for posting

Sorry for your loss, it bloody hurts but I try and think of the outrageous things my dog did and it brings a sad smile.

 

[jimbo1984]

I try and think of the outrageous things my dog did and it brings a sad smile.

I know exactly what you mean I can't help but smile at how pleased my terrier used to look with himself when he had chewed something new!! The kennel , the car seats , my ex girlfriends phone bless him .

 

[Radar_UK]

Thank you for sharing this poem, I saw it ages ago and when I lost my GWP Jake not so long ago remembered it but could not find it anywhere - reading it now has helped a lot.

 

[Hereford bull]

I know exactly what you mean I can't help but smile at how pleased my terrier used to look with himself when he had chewed something new!! The kennel , the car seats , my ex girlfriends phone bless him .

On one notable occasion it was our friends' children's 3 Gerbils; don't know how he got upstairs let alone got the cage open.