... if he wakes in Your arms...

           by R. A. S.
I can hardly see through my tears... today I sent my best friend of
years
and years somewhere he had to go, where pain and sickness he
won't have to know.
He's been with me ever since he was a pup... today I've had to
give him up.
He was sick, we both knew it and I wouldn't put him through it.
Thinking back to the day my wife brought him, I told her then that
I didn't want him...
"Noise and mess and bills to pay!" - I can't believe I felt that way.
Didn't know that in the end, he would be my dearest friend.
Didn't know that he would be the greatest gift that came to me.
How did one like me deserve a friend who wanted just to serve?
What was there that made him love me, with nobody else above
me?
When I looked into his eyes, never did he criticize,
never did he hold a grudge, never did he try to judge.
Recently, an anxious day. "How come you don't want to play?"
Took him to the vet to see what might be wrong with my "puppy".
Worse by far than I expected, fatal illness was detected.
Nothing much that we could do but keep him comfy til he's
through.
Back at home I tried to tell him of the bad luck that befell him
All I could see in his eyes was wondering why his master cries.
I don't think he understood - his eyes just asked "Wasn't I good?"
"How come now I make you sad? Let me kiss and hug you, dad!"
Two last weeks I had to try to find a way to say goodbye.
In that time I told him more than I ever had before
just how much I loved my pup, how it hurt to give him up.
How though gone, he'd always be inside my heart, a part of me.
Then today was no mistaking, I made the decision, my heart was
breaking.
I called and asked the vet to come by - I didn't have to tell him
why.
He arrived in awhile and asked "Are you ready?" I sighed, I
nodded, I felt so unsteady.
Got down on the floor by my boy who was dying, and I just didn't
care if the vet saw me crying.
As my pup slipped away, the last things he felt were the kisses and
hugs of his master who knelt
On that "blankie" beside him to bid him goodbye, who had just
one more minute to tell him, to try
to say thanks to his boy for a lifetime of love.... "Dear God, let me
see him in heaven above!
But for now Lord, please hold him, watch over his rest... if he
wakes in Your arms tell him I love him best."
Please keep this poem in its entirety and attribute it to the author if you
download it and use it in any way. Thank you.
Copyright © 1996 by R. A. S.

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The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-- Unknown

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