They come to me with trusting eyes and doggy smiles, wig-wagging, accepting pats, nosing my pockets for treats that are always there. They are pure beings, whose emotions - love, joy, happiness, pain, sadness, grief - are written plain. They do not know deception, are confused by humans' changing moods, astonished by a sudden moment of cruelty, since their love, at least at first, holds no expectation of unkindness. I heard his yelp of pain, turned around and, from the way his hip hit the ground, I suspected a blow, perhaps a kick, from his person, who was "training" him with fear and intimidation. How many times can my heart break in a day, a week, a month, a year? It grows heavy with tears. For dogs, the moment is always Now; this minute's meal, or treat, or belly rub, or run on the beach - or hungry, frozen existence chained in the backyard - is all-there-is. Until the next time. The kindness of dogs is a religion I could believe in. I learn much from their unconditional acceptance, their lack of judgment for the humans of every type they pledge their hearts to. Their loyalty is limitless. May their humans grow to be the people their dogs deserve.
Black dogs, brown dogs, dogs
of all kinds - each doggy heart
wanting only love.
for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.
Sherry, you know dogs inside and out. You know how they think and feel and what their life is about. They are definitely pure beings, beings that give us so much joy and deserve our kindness and love in the same way they give it to us!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed pure beings, and much better than we are at loving. I don't understand how anyone can be cruel to them!
ReplyDeleteThe kindness of dogs is a religion I could believe in... second that! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the humanity in this piece - you are the leader of the pack!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I always admire the pledge of love you hold for these creatures.
ReplyDelete2018 is the Chinese year of The Dog
Happy New Year
much love...
To me this is as much a praise to dogs as a criticism of humanity... the only thing that make dog bad is fear, and maybe it's that trust we need as humans too.
ReplyDeleteIt is always sad to meet a dog that is wary indicating it has been badly treated or confined unable to socialise. What a great voice you are for dogs Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYou describe beautifully the nature of these loyal creatures. Especially touched by; "For dogs, the moment is always Now; this minute's meal, or treat, or belly rub, or run on the beach."💞
ReplyDeleteThe universal language " Love" , understood by one and all.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your doggy haibun, Sherry, which wagged its tail with a jolly thump but also broke my heart.
ReplyDeleteA dog's love is a wonderful thing. It's sad that people take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteFew things are as heartbreaking as seeing a dog's face after his human has just hurt him. The lack of comprehension in their eyes can crush worlds...
ReplyDeleteI know. It just breaks my heart.
DeleteHumans need to be respectful of animal friends. Abuse is not training, kindness goes so much farther.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write, Sherry. You touched my heart. No, not everyone deserves a pet. We have much to learn...
ReplyDeleteOh, Amen, Sherry. There was a recent news story here about a puppy that had had his ears cut off. How could anyone be so cruel?
ReplyDeleteIf we could only live in the world of dogs...unconditional love always in the present moment! what a better world we would have....
ReplyDeleteOh Sherry. I can't bear to see cruelty to dogs or any animals. My heart breaks too. I love the last line of your prose. I know you deserve the dogs you have had. You are kind and loving. I too strive to earn a dog's love, even though I know a dog loves without judgment.
ReplyDeleteI heard somewhere that you can always tell the true nature of a person by how they treat dogs and children!
ReplyDelete'pure beings' - yes, so true. Human beings should commit that sincere and simple endearment to heart. Dogs do not judge. They are inherently kind. Beautifully penned, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSherry, you have a big heart and love, especially for dogs. The dogs always feel the kindness toward them. They here to always remind us about Love we come with, and sometimes forgetting it. thank you.
ReplyDeleteZac rules the roost around here. I accidentally bopped him the other day and he looked so astounded! of course I immediately did the sorry-puppy thing and he was like, I KNEW it had to be a mistake! :-)
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