The Power of the Dog

Well, since I posted a poem about horses, I thought I'd follow with my favorite one on Dogs~ as dogs and horses are my two favorite animals.

I will say that I have been fortunate enough to have grown up with dogs. I have been owned by dogs my whole life, with the exception of almost three years following putting down a German Shepherd I had for 13 & 1/2 years.
I remember walking into the house afterwards ~how strangely quite and still the house was. She, Dandy, was not a loud dog, but I could feel her presence missing.
If it is left up to me, I will always have a dog.

The Power of the Dog

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?

Rudyard Kipling

These pics are of Smidgen and Smudge. They are mother (Smidgen) and daughter. Smidgen is so named for the smidgen of white on her chest. Smudge is... well, she is the one with 'smudge' marks all over.

Danes have been Great dogs (no pun intended). They have all the attributes that we wanted in a dog; gentle-temperament, yet with a guarding instinct, short-haired (since they are indoors & out) and large (so as to be imposing for guarding). Their size can be difficult with traveling and all, but the payoff is worth it for all the time we are at home feeling safe, knowing that there is a combined 322 pounds of snarl & teeth waiting for any trespasser stupid enough to try.