I was ordered to ship out to Vietnam
and saying goodbye to my dog and my mom.
I would be gone the entire year.
My dad shook my hand while my mom shed a tear.
I called for my dog who was a mongrel at best;
He was my pet fifteen years more or less.
I petted his head and I said my goodbyes
and he licked my face with the tears in my eyes.
This old dog, my pet for so many years,
sensed something was wrong as he lowered his ears.
Dogs have an instinct that’s built into them
and this dog knew he’d never see me again.
My mom wrote the letter she most hated to write
to tell me my dog had died through the night.
I grieved for that dog; 'Fluffy' his name.
Be it loved one or pet, your grief is the same.
I was in Vietnam and fighting the war
grieving the loss of the dog I adored.
To all you people that are housing a pet,
give them as much love as they can get!
Author notes
A Dedication to my pet dog "Fluffy".--
He was the dog I grew up with.
He died from a tumorous growth in his throat.
My mom wrote me saying that when they returned home from seeing me off at the airport, Fluffy had the house in a mess and tore up the telephone book.
In all his life, he had never done that before!
Dogs have an inner instinct and I'm sure my dog sensed
that he would never see me again!
In a list
A contest entry
- Picture Inspired by GentleStorm.
450 points, ended March 19, 2008, 6 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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This poem actually did bring me to tears. I believe I snapped at these lines:
"Dogs have an instinct that’s built into them
and this dog knew he’d never see me again."
Very powerful.
Thanks for sharing this piece.
~Sparrow
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Wow, so sad off to war and yes he did know something for sure...beautiful heart felt tribute to Fluffy. Blessings.
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This was unbelievably sad - I hadn't anticipated [and i should have] getting in poems from people whose pets died without them there ... and can't imagine what you went through, at such a new stage of your life also -
At least Fluffy did get to say goodbye, in his own way. I hope that you are staying safe, and thanks for sharing this with us
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This is such a wonderful, yet sad poem. Your love shows in every line. Thank you for sharing with me.
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beautiful almost had me in tears i have a bull terrier x staffy he is so beautiful and all i have at home this is a lovely piece dedicated to your best friend.. cheer up
keep writing
xx
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This really struck home with me,as I lost my dog Harley to cancer, and he was a most beautiful and faithful friend, I still miss him dearly although I have since gotten another dog,Harley will always be the one dog that will forever touch my heart, as he would guard me with his life, and showed such unconditional love, sorry for your loss, I can truly relate, Josie
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Such a very touching write. A dog becomes a part of the family, not just a pet so it's loss is as heart breaking as any other family member. Something that non pet lovers can understand. Often that dog knows you better than anyone else. A beautiful write my friend.
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aww...
aww..this is so sad yet beautifully written...i have a ferret and i've had him for 4 years now..me and him have a special connection like you and fluffy!!your poems are always so beautifully written and i know you write with so much heart!!great write!!!much much love!!
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very nice
sorry for your loss my friend, but im glad you had him to share in your life and im glad god brought you back to share your heartfelt stories and poetry
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verry sad. I had a dog for almost 15 years, and I felt it within my soul when he passed. Remember the good times, and bless the fact that he had a great life with you. Crystalgodess
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Your writngs are so genuine and sincere streaming with emotion and care. You are such a gifted writer and rhyming serves you well in your self-expression.
I have had several dog attachments and losses in my life. I have now become a cat person (low maintenance-high entertainment!) What a wonderful blessing and joy our canine or feline companions & friends are and rightfully are remembered long after their abbreviated lives are done.
Thanks for sharing this one!
David
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that's sad. if Rodney dies while Robby's out there, I don't know how I could break it to him. He's as much Rob's dog as mine. I pray that both stay safe however long... thank you for this poem. good luck.
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this is a sad poem your dog did sence that you would be leaving him to have a pet for fifteen years is a long time you both were oviously attached
to one another which must have been a heart break for both of you i am sorry that this happened it must have been hard in vietnam i remember when this war was on and you have given some good advice to all you people that are housing a pet give them as much love as they can get i like rhyme too good luck in the contest my friend
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Well now you did it!!! You made me cry!!!! This was so wonderfully moving....You are so correct in saying that dogs have a sense of knowing that which we don't or choose not to... We bought our baby daughter a rotweiller to help her through her surgeries...We thought if they had the chance to grow up together he would always protect her....It was love at first sight for the both of them!! It was a truly sad day in our house when we had to acknowledge that we could no longer care for "Roc"......He is doing well now though and she still calls for him
Perhaps they will come together again one day!! This was beautiful as usual my friend....
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You made me cry, there is nothing like the companionship of a dog. I cant imagine what he or you must have felt that day. He was your best friend for many years and that is a memory to cherish.
You did an awsome job as usually, you have a very special gift and your rhyme amazes me every time. Good luck
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AWWW this is such a sad write. Especially since you were not there to see him through. Excellent Write Dear Good luck with it. I like rhyme don't know why so many don't heck look at the old poetry writes there's tons of rhyming ones
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