Thursday, August 31, 2006

To a Lady

You were here, at my work, long before I ever got here. I fixture, moving about the trailers. I don't remember when we met, but I'll never forget how you used to wait for me to drive past in my golf cart so that you could jump out, and laugh when I screamed.

When I returned, you were still here. and I got to know you better. Your feelings towards me were luke warm, at best, even though you seemed to be excited to meet anyone else. except that one guy. you never liked him at all. You simply put up with me. I cleaned up your vomit, I bought you food. Still you snubbed me.

I advanced in position, you advanced in age. Still spry, you drove our landscaping manager crazy eating all the ducklings. I'm glad I never saw you tear into a bit of roadkill. I still can't believe you would go swimming in the reclaimation ponds.

Still I would stop and talk to you, looking deep into your eyes, wishing for the day when you would jump up when I approached, happy to see me. once, I thought you did, but as I drew closer, and you saw who it was, you turned and walked away. I never stopped wanting to be your friend. I don't know if you know how many times I made sure your drinking water was fresh and clean, how often I cleaned your water bucket.

Then you had a stroke, and I oohed and ahhed over you and prayed for your comfort and an happy ending. when I saw you the other day, looking forlorn, I told myself to stop, and offer you a kind word and a pet on the head. You didn't even seem to notice me, but that was nothing new. They took you to the Dr that day, and you died while you were away. you are to be brought back and buried here, next to your friend Pasquale in a place of honor.

I know we will all miss you. I'm sure you won't be replaced. You belong to a time gone past in the history of my company, when puppies ran free and greeted our guests. You'll live on in our memories. I'll miss your shaggy black head on my porch inthe morning. I'll miss giving you treats, the only time you would have anything to do with me. I'll miss admireing your haircuts and the cute little bows they would put on your ears.

goodbye Lady. Run with Pasquale forever.

14 comments:

starbender said...

bye lady :"(

starbender said...

oops! so sad, I almost 4-got,
DR.JOHN sent me 2 cry!
;]

Anonymous said...

Bye :( I lost two very dear friends in month i know what you
are going through . sorry so sorry I lost a Friend my age and my dog.
From Dr.johns blog Cry cry cry cry
cry cry cry........... Death is all around us all we can do is hang on but you will see Lady again .

Bazza said...

Very sad, but beautifully written. Dr John sent me.

Neoma said...

I lost my father and my pet bird in the same week, I cried for both. Not for them, but for me, having to live without them......

Dr. John sent me this way......

A very nice story.

Ginamonster said...

Welcome, All! And thank you for visiting! Hope to see you again!

Catch said...

I am so sorry about Lady.....Dr John sent me.

Louisiana said...

what a beautiful written post. i'm sorry that you are hurting and that you have to deal with her loss. Dr. John send me. hugs.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about your loss. Lady sounds like a dog we had when I was growing up...grumpiest poodle you'd ever want to meet and she disliked me no matter how I tried to win her affections. Still, I missed her when we had to put her down.
Here from Dr. John's.

Margaret said...

That was good. Sent here via Dr. John of course - he always sends us to good blogs but you're a real winner. Take care.

ArtsyTartsyViray said...

Wow.. I have never read anything so sad.. yet so beautiful like that in a long time..

I'm here.. cuz.. of.. Dr.. John..

Charlene Amsden said...

What a beautiful tribute to Lady. I am sorry for your loss.

Dr. John sent me.

Chickie said...

So sorry to read this.

Rich | Championable said...

Wow, that's intense... a year ago today, my puppy Carter passed away. I know exactly how you feel.