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Text Box: He is my other eyes that can see about the clouds; My other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; By the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; By the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool he ignores it. When I succeed he brags. Without him I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection Against my fears of dark unknown things. He has promised to wait for me… Whenever… Where ever… In case I need him. And I expect I will…as I always have. He is just my dog. Gene Hill We’ll Never Say Goodbye I cannot see you with my eyes Or hear you with my ears But thoughts of you are with me still And often dry my tears. You whisper in the rustling leaves That linger in the fall And in the gentle evening breeze I’m sure I hear you call. A part of you remains with me That none can take away It gives me strength to carry on At dawning of new day. I think of happy times we shared And then I softly sigh But this I know-we’ll meet again And never say goodbye. Larry Howland The Power of A Dog 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. When the body that lived at your single will With it’s 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. Rudyard Kipling The bridge dogs build across our hearts, A living and specific thing, Like a path, or process. Now that he is gone, the bridge remains, As ornate and beautiful as ever, Though it is no longer living, Has forfeited the supple mystery of life, And has instead assumed the durable Calcification of myth and memory- That residue of where our love was, The residue of the love we had for him, The residue of sweetness, of loyalty, The residue of a great dog who Lived once upon a time. Rick Bass Wonderful Wisdom about Dogs Every world has dogs or their equivalent, creatures that thrive on companionship, creatures that are of a high order of intelligence although not the highest, and that therefore are simple enough in their wants and needs to remain innocent. The combination of their innocence and their intelligence allows them to serve as a bridge between the finite and the infinite…dogs are born to be enchanted every bit as much as they are born to enchant…To the dog, everyone’s body emits pheromones that reveal much about the true condition of the spirit within…Her species has been granted limited but significant intellect, also emotions and hope. What most separates her from humankind and from other higher life forms isn’t her mental capacity, however, but her innocence… (as the) weary dog sleeps...placing one hand upon her flank, feeling the slow thump of her noble heart, (the boy) enters her dreams and grows aware of the playful Presence, from which simple creatures like the dog have not distanced themselves….he can’t sleep, but for a while, he finds a little peace this side of Heaven…For those who despair that their lives are without meaning and without purpose, for those who dwell in a loneliness so terrible that it has withered their hearts, hope waits in the dreams of a dog, where the sacred nature of life may be clearly experienced…with a profound awareness of the playful Presence abiding in all things. Dogs laugh. At least most of them do, and this one is always ready to be amused. The playful Presence must love her even more than He loves others of her kind, and He sees in (the boy) not merely one who will save a world, but also a perfect foil for His jokes. Excerpt from “One Door Away from heaven” by Dean Koontz Reprinted with permission

       Favorite Poems about Dogs