I Thought I Knew…

I thought I knew what loneliness meant
Until I lost one I felt Heaven sent.
Just a mixed dog of no special breed
But the love that he carried was only for me.
He shared everything that I had to share
Without him my life has become truly bare.
The bond we shared was a most special kind
More than a friend, a guide for the blind.
He kept me safe from harm that would be
He was my eyes, with him I could see.
Even at home where I should be aware
He watched over me to show how he cared.
Words can’t do justice to a dog of his kind,
So special are they, the dogs for the blind.
I never saw him the way sighted folks do
But I can still feel him in ways beyond you.
To me he was beautiful, my hands told me so
As they caressed him and touched his very soul.
I thought I knew what loneliness meant
Until I lost one I know Heaven sent.
In time there’ll be another guide dog for me
To take his place, my safety to see.
He can’t take away the pain here in my heart
But with him I know I can make a new start.
Kathy Henderson
2 – 1999

 
 

I Remember, I’ll Never Forget.

I took an old friend on his last car ride,
I held him so close right here by my side.
His years were so many and all spent with me,
He was born in my house, my baby to be.
I remember his birth, his mom so proud
Of this little pup that was squealing so loud.
I remember the pranks he pulled as a pup
And I remember the day I realized he had grown up.
I remember how faithful he was just to me
And how each minute that passed the love he gave free.
The sparkle in his eyes when I returned home,
His tail tucked in shame when he had done wrong.
The racket he made to sound his alarm
When sounds he heard he thought might mean harm.
He’d sit by my side when company was there,
A warning he was, behave or beware!
I’ll never forget the comfort he gave me
When times were so rough no relief I could see.
I’ll never forget our last ride together,
I couldn’t see the road, no, it wasn’t the weather.
This old dog beside me my most faithful friend,
It’s for his sake, his pain I must end.
But I’ll remember our last day together
And each day before it for each one just got better.
But I’ll never forget the light gone from his eyes
Or the last heartbeat felt as he sighed his last sigh.
I’ll never forget the pain I felt that day
As I laid him to rest then alone walked away.
Kathy Henderson
2 – 1999

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