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The
Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kpling
THERE
is sorrow enough in the natural way
From
men and women to fill our day;
And
when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why
do we always arrange for more?
Brothers
and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of
giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy
a pup and your money will buy
Love
unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect
passion and worship fed
By
a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless
it is hardly fair
To
risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When
the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are
closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And
the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To
lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then
you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've
given your heart for a dog to tear.
When
the body that lived at your single will,
With
its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When
the spirit that answered your every mood
Is
gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You
will discover how much you care,
And
will give your heart for the dog to tear.
We've
sorrow enough in the natural way,
When
it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our
loves are not given, but only lent,
At
compound interest of cent per cent.
Though
it is not always the case, I believe,
That
the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For,
when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A
short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So
why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should
we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Back
to top
~~o00o~~
Rainbow
Bridge
(Anonymous)
Just
this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When
an animal dies that has been especially close to someone
here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and
hills for all of our special friends so they can run and
play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our
friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had
been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who
were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as
we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The
animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be
left behind. They all run and play together, but the day
comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly
he begins to run from the group, flying over the green
grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You
have been spotted, and when you and your special friend
finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to
be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your
hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more
into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your
life but never absent from your heart.
Then
you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... |
