Saturday, March 6, 2010

Just a Dog

Just a Dog

She was just a dog, my Sassafras,
The only one of the litter who looked like her mother, long and lean and fast.

She was just a dog, my hollow-dog,
Pat her on the side of the ribs and she sounded like a loaf of bread fresh from the oven.

She was just a dog who followed from the front,
And stood in the way and didn’t come when she was called unless food was involved.

She was just a dog, all skin and bones,
Who shivered during thunder storms and shook the bed and barked at the wind.

She was just a dog who liked to sleep between
So we called her sandwich-dog because she was the filling at night in bed.

She was just a dog, my Sassyfrassy,
Who would wait at the front door for me to come home even when Pa was home.

She was just a dog, a worry-wort like me,
Who told me when the microwave dinged or the cat was where it shouldn’t be.

She was just a dog we called jack-rabbit
Because she could jump as high as the fence, but never jumped over it.

She was just a dog who loved to ride in the car
And feel the wind in her nose and barked at everything she saw.

She was just a dog who thought she owned the world
As far as she could see or smell and had to protect her people from everyone, everywhere.

She was just a dog who got old
After sixteen years of being my faithful, loving companion no matter what.

She was just a dog who loved me.

She was just a dog.


For Sassafras, March 6, 2010

4 comments:

Dana said...

R.I.P. Sassy. I'm so sorry Aunt Martha.

Jen said...

I love you. My heart is breaking for you and with you. Your Sassy, so like my Dusty. I am sorry.

Kim said...

I'm sorry Aunt Martha : ( This is such sad news. I know I can't be there but just know I am there in spirit with you sharing your pain.

linda may said...

Hugs from me Martha. We do so love our pets, our babies, but they have shorter life spans than we do, unfortunately . They give so much love back to us in return, and mostly agree with us no matter what.
My princess doggie lived until she was 18, but I knew it was time for her to go, I just held on to her for too long, which was cruel, I know how hard a decision it is to put a beloved pet to rest.