Goodnight my little wolf

[Nirvana]

A dog's passage does seem to merit some form of prose

[Trilby]

peace will come, Dana.

Blessings on you.

[DanaC]

Thanks all.

Today is a little easier in some ways. Yesterday was so full of 'this time last week...' and now here I am into the second week.

Still miss him though. Probably always will a little.

[classicman]

You better miss him. If you didn't ....
Hang tight remember all the good times.

[DanaC]

Every so often, like a few minutes ago, I get hit with the crashing reality of the fact that i will never see him again.

Last year I was away for 11 days. By the end I was aching to see him. Thought about him most of the way home. Was excited to get back to him.

It's been 13 days now since he died.

I miss my little wolf so much.

[BigV]

DanaC --> <--BigV

[classicman]

It comes and goes in cycles that get wider or longer ... and subside as time goes by.
hang in there and look at cute pics of the puppy - maybe that will help.

[limey]

Originally Posted by classicman

You better miss him. If you didn't ....
Hang tight remember all the good times.

This.

[DanaC]

Ok. I've finished the first draft of the poem. I still need to play around a little with the structure, or more accurately, how to convey the rhythm I want for it.

If it's too maudlin let me know. I don't like maudlin in other people's poetry, i don't want it in mine. But i may not be the best judge of that right now.

;p

To Pilau

It was an overcast day in Hull, when we first met.
Chocolate-box cute puppy you were.
There was never a choice to be made.
You fell asleep in my arms,
as the other pups played, and that was that.
You were ours now.

Then in such a short time,
we stepped onto the worry-go-round.
Emergency call-out vets,
And worried waiting rooms.
If someone had told me then,
That you’d be my best friend, til I was 40,
Or thereabouts,
I’d have had my doubts.
I’d have thought them mad.
But you made it to 13 years, my bonny lad.

And they were the best years.
The bird-chasing, carpet digging years.
The valley running, river splashing years.
They were the fun years , I think you’d agree.
You seemed to be having a nice time.
There was good food, and cuddles and playtime,
Surrounded by people who adored you,
And a brother who lived so near you,
You were never really apart. Even as old men,
with your raincoats, quiet nights and slow walks.

And now you’re gone, and I’m bereft,
My house is empty of your breath,
But I still think it is your home.
And your brother Dante grieves,
The way dogs do these things,
And wonders where you are,
When I drop by alone.

Somewhere between the sleeping pup
And the dog who’d had enough,
You carved yourself into my bones, became a part of me.
And I hope I didn’t make you wait too long,
Hard to draw a line in such deep sand.

Sitting here as I write these words,
Two weeks have passed
since you locked your eyes on mine,
As I called time.
And all your people miss you,
The pack continues with you
In our minds.

So now, from me
Goodnight. My little wolf, rest well.
You earned it babe, you did us proud,
And I’m so glad I had the chance
to know you.
There’s always one, I’ve heard,
Some dog owners say.
Although you love them all as deep.
There’s always one whose eyes you keep, who never goes away.
Goodnight my little wolf,
I know you’ll stay.

[classicman]

Thats beautiful Dana.

[limey]

Excellent, Dana.

[DanaC]

Thanks guys. It was a labour of love.

I've decided now I've had a chance to mull it over, to stick with the structure as it is. So, I am going to repost it as complete in the creative writing section.

[CzinZumerzet]

Oh Dana I am so very sorry for your loss of Pilau and sorry I have only just read your post.

I'm a cat woman, and for several years adopted elderly moggies whose owners had died or gone into nursing homes or suchlike. Although they always made a niche, and I always loved the privelege of providing for them there wasn't the same bond you forge with an animal you take home as an infant. Like your little bloke.

Now I have a mother and daughter who were used as 'breeders' until the recession made them redundant and they were both less than a year old when they came to me, and oh sister, they are my girls now!

You will absolutely know when the time is right for you, and for the dog you choose and it will be the very luckiest little fella in the world to be found by you.

I'll be joining the other brilliant cellarites and keeping you safe in my thoughts. Rock on Dana x

[classicman]

Originally Posted by CzinZumerzet

for the dog you choose and it will be the very luckiest little fella in the world to be found by you.

2nded

[DanaC]

This time last year, I was tentatively thinking maybe, just maybe, with the steroids, Pilau would make it to 2012 - and maybe, just maybe if the wind didn't change, he'd be with me for my 40th in February.

And, this time last year, he looked so frail. So very frail. He swayed when he stood in one spot for more than a few seconds.

And this time last year, life was a roundabout of medicines and tablets.

And this time last year, I slept with half an ear out for sounds of distress from downstairs...

And this time last year I marked a full year since he'd been upstairs to his (my) beloved bigbed.

And this time last year, we made short forays into the world, bundled up in his tartan old man coat.

And this time last year I'd have sold my soul to stop the clock, close the calendar, and hold him in a frozen moment.

This time last year, I didn't know it, but we had less than a fortnight left together. And 2012 would be a year without him in it at all.

Ahh Pilau, my bonny, bonny lad.