Poetry and Puppies

I confess to staying up late last night and watching quite a few Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. Tear jerkers all of them. Henri was curled up at my feet and did not move the entire night. I think he was afraid on losing his spot on the sofa to Josh, who spent the night either on top of me, lying by my side, curled up on one of the dog beds, or just lying on the tile floor. He was indecisive and restless, undoubtedly hoping Henri would move so he could claim what must be considered the prime location for sleeping.

A character in one of the Christmas movies mentioned the following poem. I'd read it ages and ages ago when I took an English Lit class in college, long before we ever had our Lhasas. Anyway, the reference in the movie reminded me to look the poem up again. The internet made it easy.

It will probably make you cry also, but that's okay because it should speak to each and every one of us who has ever loved a dog.

The Power of the Dog
           by Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone — wherever it goes — for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Pictures of the new Puppies - Age 4 Weeks

Josh X Shadow female, Age 4 weeks

Josh X Shadow Female, Age 4 weeks

Josh X Shadow female, Age 4 weeks

Josh X Shadow male, Age 4 weeks

Thanks to Chuck and Steve for sending the photo below of their Cooper, all groomed and dressed for the holidays. Cooper is a puppy from the recent summer litter. Josh is his sire and Luna is his mom. It looks like he inherited his abundant coat from Luna!

Life is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce