.
.
when i was a boy,
Spot,
a black and white Cocker Spaniel
chose me.
she looked like the dog
in our grade one readers
“Run, Spot, run!”
.
she was a stray
wandering around our neighborhood
looking for a home
there were other people she could have chosen
but, she chose me
our family adopted her.
it changed my life.
i had a friend
.
in winter
she refused to go outdoors
in freezing temperatures
she peed and pooped on our basement floor
with a shovel, my dad would pick up after her
once a week he would spray the floor
with the garden hose
.
Spot left us
like Peter Pan
when we stopped believing in her
.
when i walk through the woods
i imagine her, beyond the next bend,
chasing butterflies
or being chased by rabbits —
she’s with me
always
,
Dennis Cardiff 
Wonderful memories caught in this poem!
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There’s an air of melancholy that draws me in here, Dennis, maybe because it taps into my own memories of pets we’ve had, and subsequently lost. Beautifully poignant 🙂
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Beautiful capture of such a lovely hound, and such sad and touching words…Wonderful tribute. Cheers,
smiling toad
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Arf arf. Great memories.
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Sad but beautiful Dennis. Following your blog now too.😀
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Gee, this one brings tears to my eyes! Hold on to your memories, Dennis, for I’ll bet you’ll see that sweet dog again at the Rainbow Bridge.
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My dog chose me too! She was a rescue dog and she spoke to me from the beginning, even though Insisted I didn’t want a barker! I couldn’t resist, she’s such a treasure…
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My dogs, cats, crows, lizards, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and rabbits have all spoken to me. Even wild animals and birds speak to me. They are usually just curious and know that I mean them no harm. I’ve had Skunks walk over my boots and have helped an injured porcupine cross the road. Like infant children they speak to us, we just have to open our hearts to their language.
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exactly!
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Beautiful, Dennis….memories are some of the best things we have, hang on to them!
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Such a beautiful tribute to our “pets” who love us unconditionally. I wish that all humans could relate to how much adoration and loyalty these creatures that become part of our family if allowed in, give to us.
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Pets are often our best friends. They open their hearts to us and we, in turn, open our hearts to them. We are totally vulnerable to each other. Imagine:
“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”
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Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring message Dennis.
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Maybe the greatest song ever written.
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Beautiful images, I like Peter Pan comparison.
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What a wonderful memory!
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Wonderful memories!
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I found your blog via “Vera Ema Tataro – pro tempore ~ art and poetry.” Lucky me. Nice reads here. Best, Random Storyteller (Catherine)
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Hi Catherine, I absolutely love your “verbal crazy quilt”. I will return often to read your posts. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis. Thanks for dropping by. You are a busy writer, so I am very pleased that you will take time to revisit Random Storyteller. Best, Catherine
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awww…
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