Painful Duty.

sonnet in tetrameter

 Painful duty.

 

I wandered by the old canal

I walked alone without my pal.

My old dog Bess gone to her rest.

Although I know it’s for the best.

 

I had to have her put to sleep

She was in too much pain to keep.

I took her to the vets; she knew.

What I would request him to do.

 

She knew her time to go had come.

The lack of pain she would welcome.

For fifteen years she’d been my friend

She also knew she could depend.

 

On me to end her misery,

Send her ahead to wait for me.

 

Monday, 19 March 2012.

Reviews

[Star]

I felt so sad and felt what that moment had to have been like for both owner and doggie. Loved it.

[Bare trees]

I've been there twice and understand the pain of losing such a treasured friend. Great last line. Great poem as well.

[Valentine]

I have four outside dogs and they are getting up there in years....I worry this will be happening soon to them..Do you think they get to go to Heaven with us???Kathie

[emmajoy]

So sad to read this first thing in the morning, not long before walking my two waglets. Too often i think of their increasing age and know the day will come when these words will touch me even more than now. One's animals become such a big, big part of life: every look, wag, smile - and they do smile, means a comforting, happy mutual admiration society and without it, life's diminished. This is such endearing poem, as ever metre sound and more.

If these sweet, sad words are true, hugs ..

[J. J. Nightingale]

Sometimes it is best .. I've had to do the same a few times .. I still think about them .. And I miss them ..

Jasmine