Ode To "Goldie"  

Posted by Stan Harrington

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

--- Anonymous ---


Today, we had to let a friend slip away, a decision that was difficult to make, she now rests without the pain and suffrage of age. She was just a "dog" some would say, but to us she was part of our family, a friend that gave so much and ask for so little in return.

"GOLDIE"
June 16, 2010

"Goldie" was rescued from an owner that did not care for her by our daughter in law. When my son and his family moved from this area in 2002, "Goldie" remained with us and became part of our family. Although, she was an older dog when she came to stay with us, her heart was that of a puppy. We enjoyed her company for 6 / 7 years.

In our home, she had good friends, her best friends were "Ruger" and "Dutch". Between the three, there was never a quarrel over their personal dog dish or where they slept. Although competitive in sport, again their was never a quarrel if one got to the ball before the other. "Goldie" was the oldest but she was all heart. Her legs could not carry her as fast over the ground as the other two dogs, her lungs would not support the effort. But, in the water, she was the best swimmer that I have ever witnessed.

"THE THREE AMIGOS"
"Ruger" ~ Dutch ~ Goldie


"Just A Dog", there are those that feel animals do not have a sense of knowing when something is wrong. I have witnessed this sense in dogs on several occasions over the past few years, but never in the form that I witnessed today. Although, they have been close friends for years, they have always maintained their own separate sleeping areas and even rooms in the house.

Today, "Dutch" and "Ruger" remained in the area that the resting spot for "Goldie" was prepared in the meadow, her favorite place to explore and play. After we returned to the house, both dogs went to the place that "Goldie" has been resting for the past several days. She was aware of their presence, occasionally lifting her head to see them. They remained snuggled up to her for a couple of hours. In the years that they have been together, I have never seen them lay together this close. I am sure it gave "Goldie" the comfort that she needed as well as the comfort that it gave us as humans.


"Goldie"
May your spirit run free in the meadow,
Where the wild flowers grow.
Where we can share our past memories,
In your grace,
May the "ball" always bounce in your place.