When I was seven years old,
I picked him out of the litter.
He was the runt.
In retrospect, I think I felt a kinship with him
Because I was kind of a runt myself.
I knew what it felt like
To be pushed around and overlooked.
I named him Skipper
Because one of his legs
Had trouble keeping up with the others.
I was never entirely lonely again
After we brought Skipper home.
We grew up together
But his black chin turned gray
When I was still a young man.
He died when I was 21.
I could never bring myself to buy another dog.
Neither could my parents.
"You only get one Skipper", I would always say.
But last Christmas, I decided it was time
And I bought a new dog for my mom and dad.
I searched every pet store in town
And knew she was the one
The second I saw her through the glass.
A Cocker Spaniel.
I've always been partial to terriers
But she stole my heart immediately.
My mother named her Molly (a good, Irish name)
And we have all fallen in love with her.
I took her to the vet for the first time
And was filling out the standard paperwork
When I came to the space for her name.
I absently wrote "Molly"
Then it dawned on me
That I had forgotten about Skipper
And it was like losing him forever,
Even in my memory,
Like he was officially gone;
Like he had been replaced.
I was tempted to abandon the name Molly
and name her Skipper in honor of him.
But Skipper is a lousy name for a girl.
I decided that, with dogs or people,
it's possible to honor the living
while remembering the dead.
Life cannot remain locked in the past.
At least that's what I tell my friends
When they are grieving too long
And forgetting to live.
What would they think of me if they knew
That I was still mourning the loss of a dog
After twenty years?
So I wrote Molly in the space,
Promising myself that I would remember Skipper
In all the ways that mattered.
I would remember
The hills and sunlit fields
We ran through together
When we both were young.
I would remember
How he used to stand on his hind legs to reach me
So that I could hug him like a little person.
I would remember
How he used to sit quietly with me when I was sad,
And how he would whine when I cried,
His own eyes full of sadness,
As if he knew.
I would remember
Telling him my adolescent troubles
And sleeping more peacefully,
For having him to share them with
And knowing he could keep a secret.
I would remember
How he would dive into the swimming pool
On sunny summer days
With complete abandonment
Just to be one of the boys.
I would remember
His incurable mischievousness;
How he would run away every chance he got
To explore the neighborhood.
I would find him playing with other dogs,
Bouncing in and out of ivy patches,
Or rolling ecstatically in freshly laid manure.
(Dogs are true sensualists.)
And I would remember
The example he gave me
Of how to be a good friend;
How to greet people
As if I hadn't seen them in years;
How to enjoy life full measure, just because;
And how to love without reservation.
"Dog" spelled backwards is God
And I don't think it was an accident.
Maybe He made them "Man's Best Friend" for a reason.
Maybe He knew they could teach us
As much as we teach them.
I learned a lot from Skipper
And no matter how many dogs I own before I die,
Skipper will always run with me
Through the sunlit fields of my memory.
Author notes
Written October 3rd, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 31 of 31
-
*sniffs* I came across this on my bookmarks.... cried nearly as much as I did first time I read it. (But then I am a pathetic sentimental young fool) X
-
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope it gave you a little comfort.
Mark -
Wow the tears are streaming down my face as I read this. This is such a beautiful poem filled with love and also makes a lot of sense. You have to let go even though you will never forget the love they gave you.
-
This was beautiful, the way you started off, showed how you moved on and then I absently wrote "Molly"
Then it dawned on me
That I had forgotten about Skipper
And it was like losing him forever,
-yet you must have known deep down that you would never forget skipper, nor could he ever be replaced, and I would like to say bravo to you for being brave enough to adopt another dog and open your heart to another - i always thought i would be able to do that when the time came for me to say goodbye to a much adored, loved pet but .. the time came, and now, nearly two years later, i still havent let go ... so i admire you. Excellent poem. -
There is no replacing a childhood pet. It cannot be done. You can never replace the best friend, and the one that you could blame every spill in the house on.
we have friends and pets though out our lives and each one has a place in our heart, but there is always room for another.
In my line of work I have learned this to have a whole new meaning. When a child dies or moves away it is sad, but soon there is a new child, a new family to meet and love and tend to. Each ending for me is also a new beginning, that is the lesson we should learn.
I like the story of your skipper. Our dog was Wiggles!
thanks for sharing this piece of you.
Susan -
This was a great tribute to a great friend.It's true you can love another whilst still remembering the love you had.You love in different ways and have different memeories, Ros
-
This is very sweet in memory of skipper. Being the animal lover I am I truly think dogs have a perpose here on earth. Companion,love,protection,refection! They teach us compastion and trust, forgiveness and honor. I have lost a few dogs in the past but everytime I have gotten a new one (when the time was right) they have given me more and more. Thanks so much for sharing skipper with me. Take care xo
-
This was a beautiful write that placed a lump in my throat, I had a dog for a short while that I was given off a building site, I only had taff about 3 years, a gorgeous boxer, I wasnt able to keep her due to circumstance, she did however go to a very good home with children and another boxer with big fields to run around in, it was still hard saying good bye though although i knew she would be better off, you are so lucky you got to share more, you wrote and gave others a really lovely insight to happy times you shared, thankyou.
-
I had to read this one- I'm VERY partial to dogs! I have dog paraphernalia all over my little studio apartment, although I do not have a dog right now.
We had over thirty-some dogs go through my house when I was younger. All six of us kids each had our own specific dog at one time or another. Mine was a off-the-street stray that looked like Old Yeller with an elongated nose. I named him Spencer. Because we had some problems between our own dogs, for some reason he was the one chosen to go to the pound.
I still have his dog tag on my key chain.
Well, I'm glad we can get along on some things! -
SF,
Yes, it is hard to move on sometimes, but we always should. We should never be afraid to take another chance. Otherwise, tomorrow may be empty. Of course, that could be applied to a lot more than pets.
Thanks,
- M -
Hi Suzy,
Thanks for reminding me about the anthology. Soon! Speaking of publishing, when am I going to be able to buy your book at Barnes and Noble?
I hope you're doing well. See you soon.
Mark
-
Hi Lencio,
Sorry to hear about your dog Ranjo Macaro. (Cool name, by the way. He must have had a lot of attitude with a name like that! lol) I'm sure your family gave him a very happy home. I would suggest getting another dog. People need something to love and to help ward off loneliness. The playfulness and joy that dogs are famous for is also very infectious. Some insurance companies even give people with dogs lower premiums, and some hospitals are using "pet therapy" - giving puppies and kittens to cancer patients to help improve their mood, which boosts their immune system and helps them fight the cancer. In other words, pets are good medicine. lol Don't grieve too long, like I did. You need a lot of outlets for all that love you've got inside you.
Thanks,
Mark
-
GND,
I'm sorry you lost Scooby but I'm glad to hear you have three dogs now. They must keep you busy. lol
A few cocker spaniel owners have commented on this poem. Let me ask you something about Scooby. Did he have a problem with piddling on people? The one I bought for my parents gets so excited when she's saying hello to people, she pees all over their feet, and it doesn't seem to be subsiding. I've heard that's a problem with this breed. It's a real drag. Any advice?
Thanks,
Mark -
Hi Mal,
I think your attitude is very wise. Grieving forever, whether an animal or a human loved one, just adds pain to pain, and loneliness to loss, and that's not what they would want for us. I've never had a horse but I have friends who do so I know what great friends they make. I'm glad you have good memories and are making new ones, and I'm sure Lancer's spirit is trotting right next to you and Jacob on those winter mornings and summer nights.
Thanks,
Mark
-
BK,
Thanks for sharing your memories of Magic. Sounds like he was a heck of a dog and you more than made up for the pain he suffered at the hands of his first owner. Somebody should have a contest about "your first dog". It seems that everybody had that one special dog, especially the one they grew up with. Have you seen the movie "My Dog Skip" yet? It's excellent. I related to it a lot, and my dog even had the same name. lol
Thanks,
Mark -
This is very sweet, and not only that, it is a good story... a good lesson that has been learned.
"Skipper will always run with me
Through the sunlit fields of my memory."
it is hard for people to let go sometimes, in the freight of forgetting. I know that fear all to well...
very well written my friend... -
Mark...you never cease to amaze me with your uncanny ability to recall and recreate the most tender and poignant memories of your youth. Reading this beautiful poem brought tears to my eyes (in one of those vulnerable moods today)....I love reading these (remember the anthology???) suzy
-
I guess they do, steal hearts and stay and run through the sunlit fields of our memory. I guess we share the same sentiments, thoughts many times. It reminded me so much Of my very own Ranjo Macaro who died when I was 12, and he too. Born at almost the same time, Dad, it seems had brought him home in his work overall, so you can imagine how tiny he must have been? he was like a son to the family and my very best friend. Somewhere in his 10th or 11th year, he had cancer and we had to put him to sleep forever, as it was painful for him and us. I never had my own dog again even though my family brought a lot after that, it was never mine, although I fed them and took them in the fields for walks, yes fields, I lived in the countryside, and have enjoyed the many blessing and other mystical things of nature and life.
It was a joy and pain reading this! Thanks for the wonderful read.
Lencio
Edited on Oct 05, 5:48 because ''. -
Wow!!! you've made me cry this is soo sad and mostly because i own three dogs wich one of them is my little girlfriend she is my best buddy to anything she feels sad when im sad and when im sick she stays with me in bed. It's amazing the love u can get from them and sometimes people treat them so horrible. . . I love all three of my dogs but as parents with their many children there is always one favorite, you cant help it it just happens still u love them all. i had once a cocker spaniel since i was little and he died three years ago he was my everything and he died of age, i still remember every good times we had with respect and i know there will never be one like scooby . . . .
lots of hugs and kisses GND -
Ah yes, I've not forgotten about my old boy Magic, nor will I; it's a shame, he was killed before he was able to see my dad get his new house, but he was one of us the whole time we had him.
The bastard that'd had him before had abused him severely, so he ran off and one of our neighbors took him in. When the original owner came looking for Magic, our neighbor said he hadn't seen him; good thing. It wasn't much longer that he gave Magic to us, and man 'o man, was he a wreck at first--he was terrified! As the years passed, though, he became probably the most laid-back and coolest dog ever; I swear to God, I've never seen any person or animal sleep and lay around as much as he did, before or since lol
. Needless to say, he'd still get incredible nervous anytime someone started yelling (didn't matter for what reason, be it good or bad), and he'd run off into someone's room, usually mine, to hide, but other than that, he was pretty normal--loved us, his food (or rather, he loved whatever he could get from us ), and the Britney Spaniel we got a few years after first obtaining Magic; the spaniel's name is Katie, and is still with us (getting older, but still very much like a pup).
Granted, Magic had his share of problems as well--being a black lab, he was prone to seizures, and got into a couple fights with the neighbor's dog. He got the rival dog on the second one though; slashed him right across the eye. And, unlike most labs, he HATED the water; he'd do anything and everything in his power to keep away from involving himself with anything to do with water outside of drinking it, and yes, that included baths .
Ah yes, a good dog; one that has been sorely missed and will not be forgotten. I imagine the memories that you created with Skipper will not soon fade, and if they do, Molly can serve as a reminder--not of the past, but of moving on from it. -
Hi Reenie,
Thanks for your wonderful comment on this. That sure is a coincidence that you had a cocker spaniel who you lost when you were 21, as I did Skipper. I'm sorry to hear about your Huskey. I had a similar experience with Skipper but about 15 years after he died. I was looking through some old boxes in my parents' garage and found one containing old clothing items of mine, and there were strands of his black hair all over them, so many years later. I couldn't bring myself to just throw them on the floor. I collected them and put them in an envelope.
I loved your advice at the end - "Enjoy Molly's antics with your parents...i know that Skipper will not mind."
I will. Thanks.
Mark
-
Of course one pet never replaces another...it is just meant to fill an empty space in our hearts . I grew up with a cocker spaniel that I got in second grafe. He died when I was also 21 ( coincidence eh) but Skipper was no cocker spaniel I had entrusted him to my grandmom ( I was in the US by then) I cried for him for a long time....and just this past January we had to have our faithful 14 year old Siberian Husky put to sleep
....and i still cry at times , especially the other day i wore a black skirt that i had not worn since he was gone....the skirt was still covered in husky Hair hanging in the back of my closet. Enjoy Molly's antics with your parents...i know that Skipper will not mind,
xoxo
Reenie
-
More loving tribute
Max (Mark),
Noted the editing changes and it still reads well. As for you writing something that missing the mark, I doubt that you'll ever get to use that MS line. It isn't the same poem that it was first read through but it still shines.
99 -
Thanks, 99. I was a little worried about that myself. You can't be too careful these days. The poem has been edited.
Re. the dog/god thing, I think people are doing themselves a great disservice by not having pets because of the grief of losing the last one. Life should always move forward, and we shouldn't purposely keep it empty. Our departed loved ones - whether family, friends or pets - surely wouldn't want us to be loyal and miserable. I think it is possible to be loyal and happy at the same time. We should always move on from any loss. Otherwise, life will be empty, and that can never be good, whatever the reason.
Thanks,
Max
P.S. One of these days, I'll write a poem that doesn't quite hit the mark and I'll be able to use that old Maxwell Smart line, "Missed it by THAT much!" lol -
I can relate so well to these words Mark. Like people all animals are individuals, each with there own special gifts. I lost my old horse Lancer at 44 years and thought i would never find or even want another. Yet here I am 6 years down the line with jacob recieving all the unconditional love as with lancer,cold winter mornings, beautifull summer nights and all filled with irreplacable memories that time cannot erase. Not one day would I trade..hearbreak and happiness alike. excellent piece...mal
-
Loving tribute
What a touching remembrance of your beloved dog, and an interesting perspective on the statement Dog spelled backwards is God....maybe He didn't abandon us afterall. Maybe those of us who have chosen not to replace our dogs who've died are denying ourselves the gift of 'a best friend', wouldn't seem so accidental in that light, now would it? ap
Enjoyabl write.
Edited on Oct 04, 1:06 p.m. because ''. -
Mitzi was a german sheppard collie mix. Big gentle and loving. She passed when I was 19. She was 15. It took me a long time to let another into my life. Now Yogi, my best and most sincere friend is 12. I see him growing older every day. I do not think there will be another after him. Because it will break my heart when he passes.
Terrific write. While I think of Mitzi often, I have to admit...its been awhile. Thanks for the memories. -
Aw! Losing a pet is losing a family member... I am so sorry, the grief in losing something, even a dog, is always a painful spot. I had a dog, his name was Tiny, unique name I know, he was a chawhawha (I can't spell it right
) and he was my favorite dog, he had a heart as big as any saint benard, and he owned my father's heart, sadly, 14 months later, I witnessed my own pet, my dog Tiny get hit by a car, the driver just kept on going... that was over two years ago and I still grieve and remember him just like all of my human angels. This was beautiful, a gorgeous tribute to your beloved dog, there may be few or many pets that enter your life, but there is always that special rare few, or one, that will forever have your best memories and heart... 
Love you, Sara
-
Pets truly do make their own places in our affections. I see how much you learned about love from having a dog who was a major part of your life as a kid. I remember having two dogs as a child, and they were always so joyful. Such faithful friends they are, too, and certainly part of the family for most people who own pets. The sentiment makes me think of the last dog we had. He was a huge pup and belonged to my niece. He was very smart, and into mischief all the time! It was still very hard for me to part with him even though he resembled a Tazmanian devil. There was no love lost between him and my husband, though, after Luke ate his boat tarp. LOL
-
My dogs name was Muldoon. When I joined the Army to fight in nam, I left Muldoon behind. His long floppy ears, shaggy main, his blue eyes and his happy tail. He was taller then me most of his life, till High School that is. I used to sleep with him by my side and he would gladly remain still. We ran and ran around the only tree in my yard, till a path was worn in the grass. I would fight with him and he would play hard and land me on my A*s. I think Skipper and he are friends up there, romping through the meadows. Perhaps he will remember his friend when our time is up as good fellows.
-
this is very beautiful and insightful. You revealed lessons that we can all heed to and explore. Simply and elegantly stated. Thank you for posting this fine lesson of a story.
Adding your comment:
1 - 31 of 31
19 old applause
