Gus

 

 I’d wished a thousand times.

 that you would just stop barking.

 

That you would just be quiet.

 

That you would stop being such a distraction

 

during family day.

 

I didn’t realize then

 

how much of my family you were.

 

I would love to hear you bark again.

 

Author's Note

We lost Gus in December of 2008 after a short battle with cancer. The .jpeg attachment is one my favorite pictures of him

Reviews

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Congratulations for winning the animals contest!

[Amber Nicole]

This made me run over and hug my sleeping, but usually barking dog. I don't know what I'd do when I can't hear him bark anymore

[Jennifer Leigh]

What a special tribute to Gussie- he would have licked your face for this!

[Jen]

Aw. I can relate to this as my mom's dog Banner had to be put down. He was old, but he'd been such a part of the family, it was still hard to see him go. He was a sheltie.

[April Child]

This poem tugs at my heart. They are so much a part of the family and losing them is terrible. I don't feel that this is a poem that should be critiqued. You have just reminded me to give my dogs a little extra today, thank you.

[Kayla]

What beautiful poem!! Brought a tear to my eye. A long time ago I lost my golden retriever, Thor. He had a brain tumor!! But life goes on, and eventually we got another dog. But he is old too now. Anyways your poem reminds me of my present dog, Jake, because he is old and he barks constantly. We're always wishing that he would stop barking. But now I'm going to be thankful that he is. Wonderful write!!