Cedar

Cedar,

You were scared and skinny

when they adopted you

from the dog rescue shelter.

You trembled when they

swept the floor and you

quavered at the sound of

loud voices.

 

But they poured their

love into you and

you ran happily on

hiking trails with them,

leapt across creeks,

and rode with them

in kayaks.

 

Your ribs no longer

stuck out,

your coat, the color of

Cedar bark, glistened

and your brown eyes

glowed with trust

for them.

 

You needed them.

They needed you.

You came to them during

a time of family loss.

 

I’m sorry your life is

drawing to a close.

Thank you for being

my grand dog.

You’re a good representative

of the dog race.

 

pictured here with their nephew (my grandson)

Reviews

[Ruth]

This completely wrenched my heart out - beautifully written poem for such a lovely being Shelley. Any dog becomes a companion and part of the family and when their time arrives to visit the other side, it completely leaves a void where they used to be...lovely dedication :)

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you Ruth, I'm glad you like it. Cedar is my daughter's and son-in-law's dog. They are spending a special last day with him today.

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful poem for your dog. Our animals, our enduring friend. The photo was wonderful and thank you dear Shelley for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you for reading and giving me such affirmation. Cedar belongs to my daughter and her husband. They are having a special last day with him today. It is heart breaking for them.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Shelley.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

This really hit me hard Shelley. This was a beautiful tribute to a best friend. We have all had our own Ceder in our lives. Mine was a cat named Merlin. He was pure magic and I will never forget him. Thank you for this lovely poem.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you Carlos. Yes, we all have a Cedar in our lives. I know that it will be hard for my daughter and her husband to have him put to sleep soon, but he has lost his quality of life. Thanks for reading.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

My thoughts are with them a few years back I had to put my cat to sleep. It was one of the most difficult things I ever did, because he was my best friend.

[Shelley Warner]

I had cats when I was young and I remember Charlie, who I had to give to my mother-in-law because my husband had allergies and we were moving across the country. I woke up one morning, and thought, "Charlie has died." And he had. We love our pets. I have a loving, noisy, rambunctious Westie named Baxter. I had to take my granddaughter to a children's hospital in Portland for some routine cardio tests (she was born with some issues). My daughter was dropping us off and Baxter was sitting on my lap. Suddenly, as we pulled up to the roundabout, he erupted in alarmed barking. He thought the statues of a buck and a dog were real. :)