Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Recently had to put my dog down. Seizures got him
Definition of dogs are mans best friend was that dude
Attacked are what ole Bo saw and what was actually there
Hey I didn’t say he was perfect but he was my buddy

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

https://poets.org/poem/epitaph-dog

I always weep a little when I read this. Byron was a poet, I am not.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how badly it hurts. If they're not perfect, I can't think of anything closer to being so.

Like the old joke - lock your wife in the trunk of your car for a couple of days with your dog, and then when you open it, see who's glad to see you.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

The Journey

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details; the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in trees. And we learn what any dog knows - that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own, each day a gift from God.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You notice the insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. There is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the dog food brand your pet must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a dog in hot pursuit, all in the name of love . Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. With such joy and love, she saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway. If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not be just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The dog that only yesterday was a puppy is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. And bless their souls for sharing their lives with us... and adding so much to our very existence.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Great poem, Paul.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

He was a perfect friend to you and he has left you many fond memories. Take care my friend.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Wow spirit. That was beautiful!

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

I feel for you Ben dogs are special no doubt

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Crap !!
Sorry barnacles THAT was beautiful
Spirit. Yours was heartfelt as well and I appreciate it
Can’t bring myself to throw away his dog bowl . Not ready for that yet.
Trying to convince my wife that I’m kinda ready to look for a new friend.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Hey Ben, a suggestion. I lost my buddy Dan a rat terrier a couple of years ago. I was lookin for a new dog, but I was not looking for a replacement. I knew I could never replace him. We ended up adopting an older dog from the humane society and he's been a great dog. He has never cared much for me, but he loves my wife and he entertains her and is a great source of laughter. I finally found a rat terrier that needed a home and I adopted her, a much older dog with not a lot of energy, kinda like me, and she never leaves my side. Think about adopting. There a lot of dogs in the pounds through absolutely no fault of there own who have just been abandoned for some reason. My Terri got out on 4th of July night, was picked up and impounded, and no-one ever came looking for her. Unless you're determined to have a pup, it's certainly worth considering.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Apprehensive about looking for a new dog
Let’s say you are at a social gathering and you meet. 10 strangers.
Now pick the one you want to o hang our with socially and personally.
Wont be was.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Sorry to hear about your best friend. After losing the 3rd of three best friends (Brandi 15 years Texas 14 years and Annie 12 years) about 6 years ago, I decided no more best friends for me. My heart can't take it anymore.

Blindman Loc: Wisconsin

My wife and I had three dogs over more than 40 years. All were great family members so I feel your pain, Ben. I don't think we will have another.

Mike

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

He’ll always be with you and never want you to be sad or alone.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Im sorry Ben, they really do become family. We put our lab of 12 years down 2months ago....its a sad day for sure.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Spot on spirit. Wife and i went back and forth on this decision and decided to adopt another shelter dog ....not to replace our Rocky but to save another dog abandoned and alone. She s so grateful to be “ home”...