Make My Day!!
A little ball of fur with four legs and a tongue,
The fastest in the west and I barr none!
We weren’t even home yet but I already knew,
I was wrapped round your paw and my heart you’d won to!
We made it through puppyhood tho’ quite often I’d say,
“Go ahead, you little brat, go ahead, make my day!!”
You’d grin at me then with the devil in your eyes!
Oh, the games you played would be my demise!
When you grew tired of harassing “poor old Mom”,
It was only my lap you sought to sleep on.
I’d look at you then, so tiny, so sweet,
Little legs jerking as you dream in sleep.
My buddy, my baby, you’ve grown up to be
The most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me.
A different tone now to my voice when I say….
Come here, little one, come here, make my day.
Kathy Henderson
11 - 1998
It’s Been Long Enough!
My how quiet the house is today.
It’s been that way since you went away.
I look at your bed, your bowl, all your stuff,
And I think to myself, it’s been long enough!
Yes, it was “me” sent you out there to show
And yes, “I” said to a handler you’d go.
But the house is so quiet without you its bare,
I think to myself as I see a tuft of your hair.
You’re such a good dog in every possible way,
I just can’t wait till you’re back home to stay!
Didn’t think I would miss you, no, not this much!
You’re so cute with your antics and such.
You’ve won your title!! The call just came in,
But your handler says “special” this dog for he’ll win!
More time from me, I think to myself
But neither can I see putting you on the shelf.
You’re gorgeous, you’re perfect, you’re all you can be!
My special baby, I so want you with me.
But I guess we’ll try this “special” thing
Then you fly home as tho you had wings!
I’ll be right here with arms open wide
For my little boy, my source of pride.
You go ahead now and you strut your stuff
Then hurry on home, it’s been long enough!
Kathy Henderson
11 - 1998
Love Them For Me Too
I’ve heard people say that time will heal pain,
I wish it were true, it would be to my gain.
There’s a pain in my heart that just won’t subside,
It’s the lack of a pet sitting here at my side.
My life is not mine to choose as I please,
Neither dog nor a cat to fill my needs.
The complaints from pet owners I used to have to,
Hair everywhere and who chewed my new shoes?
You live with their faults because you love them too much
To rid yourself of them just because they do such.
My heart cries in pain each time that I see
Love that is shared and there is none for me.
You lucky people just don’t realize
Just what you have sitting there at your side.
Unless you’ve been here, you can’t understand
Life can be viscous when dealt a bad hand.
The emptiness I carry will never go away
For whereever I go there’s reminders each day.
I pet other folk’s dogs and hold their cats to
But it’s just not the same, they belong to you.
We don’t often appreciate what we have till it’s gone,
The space that’s left empty leaves us torn and alone.
All I ask is you love them as much as they love you,
And while you’re at it, love them for me too….
Kathy Henderson
2 - 1999
Talk With Me
Come in, sit down and talk with me,
We’ll talk of things that used to be.
It’s a shoulder I’m looking for
When I speak of dogs I have no more.
First let me tell you a little ‘bout me,
Then you’ll understand why my hearts broken to.
I’ve lost everything that meant much to me,
Most of all, my Pom’s and Shelties.
No, they didn’t die, thank God for that,
It’s just that now, I don’t know where they’re at.
They were placed in homes, no choice did I have,
It was either that or the pound and their graves.
Offers of help and groceries came (even dog food),
When my dog friends learned of the hell I was in.
These people amazed me, I was shocked to my toes!
To them I give credit and my family to
For getting me through such times of woe.
But, you know, if I close my eyes
and let my mind drift.....
I can still see each dog, each personality,
Hear each one’s bark, each one’s plea,
begging for treats and dancing for me.
I pray to God in his mercy, He watch over every one.
But, I already know that two of them are gone.
Not their new owners fault, just one of those things.
Another of life’s quirks that hits with a sting!
No, I can’t have dogs now, not where I live,
But that doesn’t mean I’ve not love to give.
I help where I can, the club that helped me.
I’m on the board, even an officer.
I help with fundraising through art, poetry
and even a little photography.
And anything else I can find to offer.
You must understand what matters the most,
They share with me the dogs they own.
Maybe someday I can take one home.
It may be a dream, but it’s all I’ve got,
When part of my life has from me flown.
Well, thank you for listening, I’ve enjoyed our talk.
Thanks for the shoulder,
it helps me to cope with the emptiness inside
that will never be over.
Kathy Henderson
8 - 1998
Go to more poems