Pet loss

[meglet2]

A year ago today, more or less at this exact moment, my much loved 
dog was eased out of this world at the point of a needle. (Put to 
sleep seems too anodyne a phrase for something so final in its 
effects.) I can't help feeling sad even though no one around me much 
will be aware of the anniversary. I still miss her loads for she was 
a cracking dog with a quirky and very loving personality. Perhpas it 
is daft to mourn so deeply for a dog when there are so many souces 
of grief in this world but as someone we know once remarked, 'Oh 
well. People can be a bit funny about their pets.'

I thought I would share a few verses of doggeral (sorry about the 
pun) from Kipling, which though not in the realms of great poetry 
did sum up some of the feelings I had last year. The poem is 
called 'The power of the Dog' and I have taken a slight liberty with 
the verse order.

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 to a dog to tear,

We've sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay;
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.

Naturally he does not intend us to heed his warning. In an earlier 
verse he describes what the dog gives in the relationship as 'Love 
unflinching that cannot lie', a description I am sure any dog owner 
will recognise, and a gift that is more than worth the price of the 
grief. Perhaps these verses will help someone else in the same 
situation as they helped me a year ago.

Mercia