On Canine Love & Loss

could I guess

at my neighbor’s love?

her gentle petting

of her mixed-breed boxer

between Insta-views

the back and forth

of his head

how he nuzzles her

eager for more loving attention

she’s quick to give

reminding me

of my own, lost mixed-breed

how I delved my hands

deep in her rust-gray fur

savored her kisses

played in our squat backyard

took that terrible, final walk

so many years

how that pang of loss

still stings

this is what we carry

across our lives.

Sanaa pubtends over at dVerse Poets Pub today, where our Poetics is dedicated to Maggie Smith and conversational address.

The Pub is open! Come join us!

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12 responses to “On Canine Love & Loss”

  1. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Yes Frank, It’s a pain I know as well. You captured the feeling of loss, those sweet licks on faces, the emotion beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    It’s the hardest thing about having a pet.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. lynn__ Avatar

    Missing my Lily girl…good memories but hard to say “goodbye”.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. pandamoniumcat Avatar

    It is such a profound loss. Sometimes one you never get over. I so miss my old dog Sonny and my cat Panda. Such a loving and beautiful poem. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Bjรถrn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I think it would be too hard for me to ever have a dog or a cat just for this reason.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. kim881 Avatar

    I know that pain, Frank, which is why we havenโ€™t been able to get another dog โ€“ I couldnโ€™t replace our boy who died sixteen years ago. But I cannot live without cats. These lines brought me to tears:

    โ€˜reminding me
    of my own, lost mixed-breed
    how I delved my hands
    deep in her rust-gray fur
    savored her kissesโ€™.

    And that terrible final walk โ€“ I still remember that.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. sanaarizvi Avatar
    sanaarizvi

    This is so poignant – it’s never easy to cope with loss, Frank .. sigh.. thank you for the beautiful poem. ๐Ÿ’™

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

    How lovely, Frank!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Grace Avatar

    I felt that loss that still stings.โ€‚

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Madhuri Pillai Avatar

    Every word is so relatable.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. robertawrites235681907 Avatar

    HI Frank, it is so very sad to lose a pet. I also wrote about loss. A lovely and poignant poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. purplepeninportland Avatar

    I completely understand the emotions here, Frank.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to robertawrites235681907 Cancel reply

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