Posted: 5/29/2012 4:27:01 AM EDT
Fleatoes came into my life a little over a year or so ago on an ordinary day at work. I had noticed the other shop dogs (we have two) continually barking at something across the fence behind our shop. I found this guy curled up whimpering softly, not even bothering to raise his head when he heard me approach. I tried to feel around to see if anything was noticeable broken and when I didn't, I picked him up and carried back to our office. Gave him a biscuit (which he devoured in a single gulp) and some water. He had a big ole wide rough looking collar with no tags. He was pretty much just skin and bones, so when the local vet opened, I took him over there to get checked out. He was either hit or tossed by a car/truck and had some hip damage, but otherwise he checked out. I kept him around the office outside my window the rest of the day. Would have taken him home with me that day but I already have just so many. Still, I made up my mind, "What's one more?" and drove back to the office to pick him up. When I got here, our night watchman was feeding him and rubbing his head and I knew, yep, our new shop dog. And he was a good one. I never saw that dog turn his nose up to anything edible. A couple of weeks ago he started losing weight and one of his eyes went gray. Took him to the vet and was told he caught the same illness that caused my black lab to go blind, blastocystis. After taking his right eye and a week of watching him, he had a bad seizure Monday morning and started bleeding on the brain. Just too much for the old boy to handle. I know I'm rambling but so long Fleatoes (which came from what Dad used to call my brother and me about a hundred years ago), and may you never run out of sausage biscuits wherever you are. You were a good dog. |
THE POWER OF THE DOGRudyard KiplingFrom men and women to fill our day; But 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. Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie–– Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear. When the fourteen years that nature permits Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers, or loaded guns. Then you will find––its your own affair But––you've given your heart to a dog to tear. When the body that lived at your single will When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone––wherever it goes––for good, You still 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. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve; For when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short time loan is as bad as a long–– So why in Heaven (before we are there) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear? |