Saturday, January 28, 2017

Two Lives


Baby days with Lukey and Jasmine


Ms Jasmine in the leaves


Getting two tumbling puppies to sit for this shot 
was a feat



Swimmies - their happiest times



Neither would let go of the Kong!
An ongoing competition


Jasmine suspects Lukey is getting
something to eat - no fair!







2015, in better health



Resting her head on her gigantic moose,
that she loved so much she wore its ears
and antlers and arms off. 
She was buried with it beside her, yesterday,
alongside her brother's grave, here on the farm.
This gives me comfort.



Sister and brother, towards the end,
always smiling, always beautiful


Love-dogs



Two tumbling puppies
wrapped tentacles
around our hearts.
They breathed happiness.
They knew only love.
They came into the world together
and left it one month apart.
Two golden butterballs
with loving eyes
and gentle hearts,
they say dogs come
to teach us how to love and,
as they leave,
they teach us
about loss.

Our hearts break,
yet we know
the years of joy 
they brought us
are worth
the price we pay
in tears and pain.

They leave us grateful
for the gift
of two tumbling puppies
who wrapped tentacles
around our hearts.

for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United

An update: My neighbour is one whom animal spirits visit. She called to tell me that after Jas was buried, she had a visit, from both Lukey and Jasmine, who were young and healthy again, and playing. She had a message to me from Jas, thanking me for setting her free from the pain and saying we will see each other again. Many tears, but a comforting message.


30 comments:

  1. One more tie to this place cut, one more being telling you it's OK to move away, one more loss, one more proof--as if you needed it--that love is worth all the pain, that feeling pain is because of love. This beautiful remembrance is a gift, a giving back. Dear poet, I feel your loss.

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  2. I'm in tears now – for all sorts of reasons. Beautiful photos and beautiful words.

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  3. Yes, the years of joy they bring is worth the price paid for so much love. My condolences to you, Sherry. Hard, so hard. I loved all the photos that you shared...such beautiful pups!

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  4. My heart breaks thinking of your loss~ Their love was gift~ Yes, the photos are stunning as is your words~ Hugs

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  5. What a fine obituary for the wonderful lives... they have such wonderful smiles in those images.

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  6. Thank you for sharing a piece of your life. Your last stanza carries a grand reminder. We should celebrate our gifts.

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  7. Love is a wonderful thing, full of joys and of pain too. But the first, as your poem suggests, is definitely worth the latter.


    Love, love, love the Kong picture.

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  8. Goodness that was so heartbreaking.. hug those precious memories close.

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  9. Love the photos.....
    Our hearts break,
    yet we know
    the years of joy
    they brought us
    are worth
    the price we pay
    in tears and pain.... lovely, Sherry.

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  10. Garçon! Tissues to M. Newbery's table, s'il vous plait!

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  11. It is so sad dogs have such short lives but they make up for it with the amount of love they give.

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  12. May those tumbling golden butterballs now play in the skies together.. forever watching over you.. i am so sorry xo

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  13. This is so incredibly beautiful and poignant Sherry, gosh those pictures! Really touched my heart and soul!

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  14. You are so right, they teach us so much in so many ways. Hugs to you, my friend, when you feel the pain, wrap yourself in those warm memories.

    Elizabeth

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  15. Those tentacles around your heart are there to stay--and I don't think you'd have it any other way.

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  16. Lukey and Jasmine. Lucky to have each other! What a great dog mama you were to them.

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  17. I am struck by the deep bonds of love and friendship here....not only between you and them, but between the two of them....that they came into this world together and then left it just one month apart. Wow. What a huge loss for you in such a short time, but what a gift to a be a part of such bonds. Wishing you comfort in this time, Dear One.

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  18. Somewhere in the cosmic, I'm sure they will find Bubba. He's always up for a swim and good "play". Pics are adorable.
    ZQ

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  19. this is sweet and at the same time sad
    and what an amazing write

    Happy Sunday Sherry, thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Standard today

    much love...

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  20. What an adorable post! I love your sweet babies too. :)

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  21. I bet it was painful to look through these adorable pictures. I cry with you. I know this kind of loss. I hope your heart finds comfort in knowing they had a great life.

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  22. very cute. thanks for sharing it!

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  23. Lovely and, yes, heart-rending - though, as you write:

    Our hearts break,
    yet we know
    the years of joy
    they brought us
    are worth
    the price we pay
    in tears and pain.

    Wonderful pictures. Beautiful words. A moving homage to beloved companions.

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  24. I feel your grief having buried a beloved dog of 15 1/2 years last Monday. It is never easy.

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  25. Dogs are the man's best friend.lovely photographs and poem written in their memory.

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  26. Dogs are the man's best friend.lovely photographs and poem written in their memory.

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  27. So sweet!!! Dogs you own are very lucky dogs indeed.

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