by Robin Loving

Created on: February 16, 2010   Last Updated: June 12, 2011

Bernard the Lab

Snow-white snout betrays no smile

Eyes that trust, might take awhile

Slow to rise, he wants the treat

He isn't steady on his feet.

Head down low he makes his way

Closer, closer, I smooth the gray

Upon his face and he looks up

I picture him as a little pup.

He lets me pet him on the head

Then wanders back to his twirled-up bed

Curls into a little ball

To close his eyes and forget it all.

The next day I'm at the Pound again

Determined to make this dog my friend

I had stopped to buy a special treat

His eyes lit-up at the sight of meat.

Once again, he was slow to rise

But I saw a little more trust in his eyes

His tail thumped twice, then one big heave...

Brought him within an inch of me.

This time he let me rub his side.

I named him Bernard.  And then I cried.

By day three, he was more than a friend

I could hardly wait to see him again

The new copper-glint in his cloudy eyes

Gave serious doubt to his earthly demise.

When he held me in his steady gaze...

I finally 'got it'... "This dog plays!"

His puppy-paws were put back on

As we sprinted toward the patchwork lawn

I searched around and found a stick

He brought it back..."This dog knows tricks!".

For almost a month we played this game

His smile returned...he wasn't as lame.

His spirit was back...he trusted again...

His tail went crazy when he saw 'his friend'.

Bernard's winter years weren't spent by a fire

Where dignified dogs curl-up and retire.

They weren't spent in a cozy home

Lavished with love, and his own special bone.

Bernard's winter season was spent behind bars

Snatching at moments, and healing-up scars.

My month long friendship, with Bernard the Lab

Ended one bleak winter day.

I snatched our stick from where I'd stashed it

But no Bernard came out to play.

No white snout was there to greet me.

No more glint, from trusting eyes.

No more thumps, of wagging friendship.

They needed space.  He was 'euthanized'.

Learn more about this author, Robin Loving.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.