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Poetry
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Snuff
By Talisker
08 October 2006
I've lost a pet dog before, its very near to the grief of losing a relative.  Imagine though, losing a guide dog...

Its 75 years ago exactly that the first guide dogs went into service in the UK.  This is my melancholy little tribute.  Perhaps needlessly sentimental - its hard to turn on and off when you're a chronic depressive!

Oli.

Snuff

Could I but look into your loving eyes,

Though if I could, of course, we’d not be here.

Perhaps you’d not misunderstand these sighs,

Mistake for disapproval selfish tears.


I know you’ve tried to comprehend my thoughts,

And feelings in your simple doggish way.

But how could you begin to know my friend,

The depth of love these human sounds convey?


The gift you gave to me, your life, your love,

The eyes that gladly saw me through each day.

Its almost too much pain to hold you, Snuff,

And feel your precious life force ebb away.


But I know were the tables turned old chum,

You wouldn’t let me down were I in pain.

Somehow I know the time will surely come,

When we’ll be reunited once again.


Its over now, so sleep my precious Snuff,

I’ll come to find you on the other side.

In this life you have suffered quite enough,

And sacrificed your life to be my guide.


If there’s a Heaven, you will be there too,

Some say a rainbow bridge can take you there.

I’ll see you then with eyes that are renewed,

Repay you then with tender loving care.



Oli (08/10/06)

Reviews

Written by Phil (6617 comments posted) 8th October 2006
Some friends of mine adopt guide dogs when they're too old to work anymore. Lovely dogs, obedient and quiet, yet still with that uniquely doggish sense of fun - crotch sniffing, farting at lunch-time, genital licking (or at least what's left of them)etc.  
 
I've not had a dog since I was four and so find it hard to identify with the subject of this. I do have a cat, but many times have come close to catricide. 
 
As ever Oli, this is superbly crafted. The human emotion came through very well. Not overly sentimental. A few month ago I took another friend to the vets as she had to have her dog put down. I was quite surprised by the strength of emotion she showed and that too moved me. 
 
All the best, 
 
Phil. 
 

Written by Phil (6617 comments posted) 8th October 2006
Can't help thinking that Snuff is an overly odd/obvious name for the dog and the poem. (Can something be odd and obvious at the same time?) Was that the name of your dog, or did you choose it? 
 
Phil.
You've done it again!
Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 8th October 2006
Reduced me to tears, that is (but in a good way!). I can fully identify with the sentiments in this poem, as our family have always had dogs, and it's heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye to them. I still remember having our last dog put to sleep - she had senile dementia, and she was losing her sight, too. 
 
Beautiful poem, as always! :)
You've done it again!
Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 8th October 2006
Reduced me to tears, that is (but in a good way!). I can fully identify with the sentiments in this poem, as our family have always had dogs, and it's heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye to them. I still remember having our last dog put to sleep - she had senile dementia, and she was losing her sight, too. 
 
Beautiful poem, as always! :)
You've done it again!
Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 8th October 2006
Reduced me to tears, that is (but in a good way!). I can fully identify with the sentiments in this poem, as our family have always had dogs, and it's heartbreaking when you have to say goodbye to them. I still remember having our last dog put to sleep - she had senile dementia, and she was losing her sight, too. 
 
Beautiful poem, as always! :)
Sorry!
Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 9th October 2006
Stupid computer! Apologies for the multiple posts there! :roll

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