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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Pictures of a Big Black Laughing Dog


Gamboling along a happy beach,
lolloping in and out of the waves with a loopy grin


lying far out on the shore at sunset
watching the colours fade


running ahead through the forest,
then looping back to check I was still there


his eyes following me everywhere
his footsteps padding beside me
his big head  resting against my knee
his nose on the edge of my bed every morning
his whuff of greeting
his big delirious grin
him standing on his hind legs to hug me 
on my return from being away


his face peering at me 
from the depths of a snowbank


So many moments captured,
against his being gone,
against that final ride to the vet's,
his bent and broken body padding softly, 
against his will, to his doom

In my mind he is as alive as he ever was,
a presence in my life too large
to ever be truly gone,
a spirit too big, 
to ever really die.

for Fireblossom Friday's prompt at Real Toads: Pictures of............Of course, choosing the photos and writing the words made me cry. I have cried a river over missing that big black laughing dog.
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30 comments:

  1. FireblossomJune 18, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    I simply cannot imagine a better subject for my "pictures of" challenge, Sherry. Pup is a great soul who can never die.

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  2. Sanaa RizviJune 18, 2015 at 10:01 AM

    A beautiful & heartwarming piece Sherry... know that Pup will always be with you in spirit..

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. Maude LynnJune 18, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    Now, I'm crying a river. Just beautiful, Sherry!

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  4. GabriellaJune 18, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    Great pictures and very touching words, Sherry! I think my favorite photo is the second one - Pup and eternity.

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  5. GailJune 18, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    He is still with you. What a special beauty.

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  6. SusanJune 18, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    Thank you for sharing his presence with us. Never stop! By now, he is more than a dog to me!

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  7. brudbergJune 18, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    If I could cry I would.. just read a poem about how men cannot cry.. and yes it's hard. Truly beautiful. and the picture show so much joy.

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  8. JimJune 18, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    I love this Sherry. Too bad he had to go. You reminded me so much of our Adi, and her last trip to the vet. But like you and Boy Pup, we had sooo many good moments. Adi and I were a 'pet therapy team.' We shared with others too.
    ..

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  9. Buddah MoskowitzJune 18, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    Beautiful - this snuck up on me - wonderful.

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  10. UnknownJune 18, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  11. UnknownJune 18, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    I felt the joy looking at the photos, the loss in the words. You were so lucky to live with this guy!

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  12. AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 11:48 PM

    Precious memories...beautiful to read.

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  13. rallentandaJune 19, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    It is a wrench losing your best friend....and that was what that gorgeous creature was to you....how lucky we are...those of us who have been blessed in experiencing this special type of friendship and closeness with a pet.....They have been sent to show us how to love and give selflessly. They are better than us. Very moving poem.

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  14. annell4June 19, 2015 at 5:36 AM

    A wonderful dog, best friend...a big loss for sure! xoxoxoxo

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  15. hedgewitchJune 19, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    Pictures of the heart as much or more than the camera--so indelible. My old dog is getting closer to that day of limping to the vet for the last time--it is hard to watch, harder still to know you can;t spare them, only love them.

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  16. AnonymousJune 19, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    The last four lines are gorgeous. So tender this memory

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  17. Kerry O'ConnorJune 19, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    This combination of words and pictures is a touching album to the memory of a beloved animal companion.

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  18. AnonymousJune 19, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    I love the one with the hat!

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  19. HelenJune 19, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Always at the top of your game when poems celebrate your beloved companion!

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  20. OutlawyerJune 19, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    How wonderful that you had such a dear dog-- I know you miss him so. Thanks. K.

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  21. HannahJune 19, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    And I join you. Sherry he's so special and I'm so grateful that you shared these wonder-full pictures with us! ♥

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  22. C.C.June 19, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    Looks like Pup was a beloved companion through every season in all kinds of weather!

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  23. MaryJune 19, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    Really, what a beautiful dog Pup was. Your words here, as well as your wonderful photos, again bring him to life!

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  24. Susie ClevengerJune 19, 2015 at 9:08 PM

    Oh this does bring tears..a mixture of joy and sorrow. What a beautiful animal. Pup's spirit surrounds you.

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  25. MargaretJune 19, 2015 at 11:42 PM

    Those images so lifted my heart - and the "final ride to the vets"... those are so hard. But - all those wonderful moments we do hold dear for the rest of our lives.

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  26. Gillena CoxJune 20, 2015 at 5:57 AM

    Sherry i can picture this; as a child i had dogs as pets, never had pets as an adult though

    thanks for dropping in to read mine

    much love...

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  27. AnonymousJune 20, 2015 at 8:24 PM

    Oh Sherry, you brought tears to my eyes, as I recalled all the pets I've lost over the years.
    The pictures, and poem are to be treasured.

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  28. grapelingJune 20, 2015 at 11:45 PM

    damn. tears, beautiful, Sherry ~

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  29. my heart's love songsJune 21, 2015 at 1:20 AM

    oh, i know your pain, Sherry ~ after eight and a half years, i still miss Jazz, my cat companion of seventeen years. they're still part of us. i love the pictures of your big black laughing dog!

    hope all is well with you!
    ♥

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  30. Myrna R.June 21, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    I never even met that big black laughing dog, and I've cried for him as symbol of all my canine friends gone. I loved the pictures Sherry.

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