The Power of the Dog

For everyone who has loved and lost, but especially for Leah and family today.....

The Power Of The Dog
by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And 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 which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the 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?

[Dakotah]

Awwww Red. That put me in tears again. That is so beautiful.

Beautiful!!!!!

[vanillasugar]

That brought me to tears.

[bubbatd]

Amen Red !! Beautiful !

[SizzleDog]

Thanks Red... (((HUGS)))

I knew that listening to Ilsa's song would be a bad idea... how right I was.

Ilsa's registered name was Bruda In My Life Ilsa - after the Beatles song, In My Life. I let her breeder come up with her registered name, and at first I didn't like the name. Then I heard the lyrics, and thought, "what a wonderful, perfect song for my girl... but boy is it going to ring true when she's gone."


There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

(Instrumental)

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

In my life, I love you more

[Baxter'smybaby]

such a perfect song for your girl. I have always loved that song.

[dr2little]

How fitting...

[ACooper]

Very beautiful post Red, and I have always loved that song too, my mother was a huge Beatles fan and that song was one that was always played.

Very fitting for her Sizzle, and a precious memento that will bring her back vividly in years to come.

Rest peaceful beautiful one.........

[Barb04]

Oh, the tears are flowing after reading all this. I just know Ilsa is being loved so by all of our loved ones now.