Saturday, December 12, 2015

THE DOGS OF HEAVEN

The Black Dog of Joy

The dogs of Heaven
are running through my dreams,
all the loved little creatures
that blessed my life.
Their paws,
a trail of footprints
'cross my heart,
their happy eyes remembering
all we shared
"until we part."

At the front of the pack
runs fast a big, black wolf,
his eyes aglow with joy 
of release and no more pain.
To see such joy 
within his eyes so plain,
I'd set him free
one hundred times
again
and yet
again.


A poem from 2011, posted for this week's Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where there is good reading every Sunday morning. I miss that big old laughing black dog so much.
Posted by at

24 comments:

  1. Sumana RoyDecember 12, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    this life is full of blessed moments of once having them with us...could see your Pup leading and full of joy....

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaryDecember 12, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    This is touching, Sherry! I do think our dogs will be there in heaven as well. After all, without them, what kind of heaven would it be?

    ReplyDelete
  3. SusanDecember 12, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    I, too, would let them go again and again--in my case it's cats--the Miracle and Red and Wicca and Pierette of a well accompanied life. Their footprints are on my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)December 12, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    you tugged on my heart strings and and the spirit of my soul on this one mi amiga. i think i can see my jules and your pup playing.

    gracias for this touch

    ReplyDelete
  5. GailDecember 12, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    A beautiful dog and a wonderful tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousDecember 12, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Yes, this one I know from my own experience. They truly can be our very best friends,

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  7. brudbergDecember 12, 2015 at 11:34 PM

    Oh I do love the sentiment - those places where the dogs are free... The pain of parting has to have a purpose like this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousDecember 13, 2015 at 12:14 AM

    Set him free a hundred times... What a beautiful sentiment .. Loved it Sherry..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Old EggDecember 13, 2015 at 12:37 AM

    There is nothing so heartwarming as engaging with a wild animal and getting its trust whether bird, kangaroo or echidna (Australian form of porcupine). So glad you posted this again as I had not seen it before.

    ReplyDelete
  10. dsnake1December 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM

    a very touching poem, Sherry.
    he is more than just a friend. he is family.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jae RoseDecember 13, 2015 at 2:39 AM

    To find a companion that understands our soul and shares our life is sheer joy and magic..i see it in the picture..and i feel it in the words...i think he is still with you xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sanaa RizviDecember 13, 2015 at 5:29 AM

    Such a heartwarming tribute :D :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

    ReplyDelete
  13. Magaly GuerreroDecember 13, 2015 at 6:42 AM

    There is something wonderful to be found in poetry that allows us to hold on to the memories shared with those we've loved and love... ♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. TruedessaDecember 13, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Ah Sherry, your heart is in the words..he is there with you always..his imprints lasting forever..

    Their paws,
    a trail of footprints
    'cross my heart,

    ReplyDelete
  15. DonnaDecember 13, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    And mine are there running with them...having such fun again! The memories came flooding back as I read your heartfelt words.

    ReplyDelete
  16. annell4December 13, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    As always just to think of Pup brings tears to my eyes. I guess the bigger the joy, the harder the loss. It is such a hard part of life, seems a cruel joke....

    ReplyDelete
  17. tonispencerDecember 13, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    And I would release my SamCat again and again to know there is no more pain. It always hurts. SamCat being such a curious boy, I imagine now knows every critter there and is just having a fine time with them all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. PanchaliDecember 13, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Awww...a heart warming tribute to the power of an ordinary life and a celebration of how pets make our lives sweeter and richer!!Loved every word, Sherry! Great read....

    ReplyDelete
  19. humbirdDecember 13, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Ah, I love this poem, memory of dog-friend inserted in words able to keep it forever...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Matthew HenningsenDecember 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    "All the loved little creatures." That line I love the best, I think because of the nice alliteration.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wendy BourkeDecember 13, 2015 at 7:16 PM

    "THE DOGS OF HEAVEN" - what a beautiful concept. I see a poetry book in this - a true labor of love - with similarity themed pieces that speak to the depth of feeling we have for all the loved little creatures that bless our lives. Many share this great affection for our canine friends ... though, no one articulates that feeling better than you do, Sherry.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Myrna R.December 14, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    I join you in honoring all those loving creatures, now in heaven, free. I'm so sentimental Sherry. Every time you write of dogs, especially your lovely wolf, tears come to my eyes. Still, I love that you write of him and all the others.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nirvana on fireDecember 14, 2015 at 8:44 AM

    Lucky dog. I love the composition.

    ReplyDelete
  24. grapelingJanuary 7, 2016 at 11:04 PM

    Pup. Perfectly Uplifting Pup. ~

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate it and will return your visit soon.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)