Pet Beloved: A Lesson In Love

G’day, have you ever had a pet that became your humble hero? It’s not just their friendship, protection, incredible devotion and company – research tells us that when we stroke pets it seems to earth our emotional electricity; it reduces our anger and anxiety. And dogs especially are always so glad to have you home, probably delighted that you’re game enough to enter such a mad house – and it’s so nice to come home to a character that wags its tail not its tongue.

One special dog made his mark on me forever. He was a scruffy, flea infested, Cairn terrier that the kids found on the beach and carried home. We called him Bart, short for Bartholomew. He just wanted to be with us in the car, down the beach, on the lounge, anywhere we were.

As time wore on Bart just wore out - incontinent, couldn’t get up the stairs, blind…. and the decision was made to have him put down. With many tears and last hugs, we took the vet’s advice and held Bart as the needle took effect. My wife, Jean insisted that he be cremated and we still have the urn with his ashes and the photo to go with it.

As you can imagine, for a long, long time after, we went through lots of self doubt and guilt about whether we did the right thing. However our brother Alan, another dog lover, found this poem which he sent to us. I know not its origin, so my apologies should I not be giving due credit. It’s called “Smile” and reads this way:

“If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep.

Then you must do what must be done, for this, the last battle can’t be won.

 You will be sad, I understand, don’t let your grief then stay your hand,

For this day more than the rest, your love and friendship stand the test.

 We’ve had so many happy years, what is to come holds no fears,

You’d not want me to suffer so, when the time comes, please let me go.

 Take me where my needs they’ll tend, only stay with me to the end.

And hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.

 I know in time you will see, it is kindness that you do to me,

Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Don’t grieve it should be you, who decided this thing to do,

We’ve been so close, we two, these years, don’t let your heart hold any tears.

 Smile, for we walked together for a little while.”

One of our girls put the poem under the photo of Bart with her own little note that read – “if tears could form a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you back again”.

But talking about walking right up to Heaven does remind me of that wonderful legend of the Rainbow Bridge. If you’re an animal lover I’m sure you know about it, so maybe, just maybe, when our time comes to make that journey, our little Bart will be there, at the bridge, tail wagging, to once again walk beside us to the other side.