Bereavement poem ?lankeela

[jakep]

A while ago, I read a beautiful poem on the site. Ithink it was from the pets perspective, written to tell the owner that they had done the right thing to end their pain. I think it may have been posted by lankeela. If not, please accept my apologies.
I would really like to have it to print off for a friend in grief.
Thank you all

[lankeela]

Was it this one? His Apologies by Rudyard Kipling.


http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t= 70608

[lankeela]

Here's another Kipling dog poem:


http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_dog.htm

[lankeela]

And in case thats not enough for you!

http://www.ttlntl.co.uk//1/dogpoems.htm

[paddywak]

That guy certainly had a way with words

[jakep]

Not the one that I was thinking of - but beautiful - and fitting. Thank you

[lankeela]

Think this was the one, but can't claim credit for it!



If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done,

For this last battle can 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

Our love and friendship stands the test


We who had so many happy years.

What is to come can hold no fears.

Would you want to suffer? So

When the time comes, please let me go.




Take me where my needs they'll tend,

Only stay with me to the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.




I know in time that you will see

It is a kindness that you do to me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I have been saved.




Do not grieve it should be you

Who must decide this thing to do

We've been so close, we two these Years,

Don't let your heart hold any, tears.

[lankeela]

Here's a better version, if you scroll down to Yvonne M's answer:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Question443665.html

[shivvy]

This is another lovely one called "I Remember"

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying. You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "Good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

Author unknown

[shivvy]

This is nice too - I hope it helps your friend.
Have a look at one called "Rainbow Bridge" too.

Prayer for a dog

Treat me gently beloved master, and I will love you with a full and happy heart.
Show me patience and I will learn to understand your every word and action. I will even protect you with my life if yours is at any time in danger.
Speak to me often, for your voice is music to my ears and I await even the simple sound of your footsteps, knowing soon you will be near.
Shelter me from nature's bitter cold and wet and I in return will warm your feet beside the hearth. Or, if life should be unkind, I will find a place of comfort for us both, for your pleasure is my dearest wish.
Play with me, for I seek your challenge just as I seek to please you. I will follow a thrown ball to the ends of the earth if you choose it and I will swim the seven seas just to see you smile.
Fill my bowl with fresh water and see that I'm well fed, for I cannot speak to ask you and am completely at your mercy. But my trust in you is so complete, I know you will never do me wrong.
And beloved master, when I grow old and the time comes to say farewell, hold me gently in your arms and I will go without a whimper. For with you I am safe and secure. A dog who gave love and received it with a grateful heart.



Copyright � 2005 Phylis Feiner Johnson All Rights Reserved

[wolf63]

No more please!

It makes me sad to think of such well loved animals going on to pussycat/doggy heaven and of all the sad strays and mistreated animals.

Boo hoo.

But my two cats are still driving me nuts!!

[lindapinda]

Oh dear,I'm just wiping up here:-(..Lovely poems though.My two cats are high maintenance too Wolf..I'm a slave lol !

[Illyria54]

All beautiful, I'm off to have a good cry now.....sniff!

[Dee Sa]

I have just read all these postings and bawled my eyes out, over the years I have lost 3 cats and sat and talked to them, thanking them for being my friend etc until the vet has gently led me away.
I wish at the time I had found a poem to read.

[shaneystar2]

Oh cripes ..reading these have started me off again ! Especially shivvy 's lovely poem " I Remember " .
The first two lines are very poignant .
I bought a little plaque for my old cheesehound to put near his box of remains ..it says "A dog always leaves his pawprints on your heart " ......what a soppy lot we are .......Sob ......

[jakep]

Yes 'Thank you' Lankeela and YvonneM's was the one that i had previously seen.
All the others are wonderful. Glad there are people good with words - I'm not.
My friend and I will remember together

[jakep]

PS shivvy - author unknown poem almost unbearable with its insight

[Kleiber]

Shivvy -you had me in tears reading those. K xx