When a dog has had his day

Author: Mark Chapman
Word Count: 370
previous browse writing next

When a dog has had his day

A friend gave this to me before he sadly died, I think he wrote it but if anyone claims that it is copyrighted just let me know and I will remove it. (just found out that the piece was in fact written by Ben Hur Lampman of Oregon in 1926),

This is posted for you Mitch, may you rest in peace.

When a dog has had his day belongs to the following groups:

Animal Kingdom, Our K9 Friend 1 image a day (Dogs only) and Respectful Retrievers

He said “Where shall I bury my Dog?”

I replied to that man that there are various places in which a dog may be buried. I am thinking of a Welsh Springer Spaniel whose coat was flame in the sunshine and who, so far as I am aware, never entertained a mean or unworthy thought. This particular Spaniel is buried beneath a cherry tree, under six feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry tree strews petals on the green lawn of his grave.

Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted his head to challenge some strange intruder.
These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small matter.

For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams as in life, eyes kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where a dog sleeps. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are swaying, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land where cattle graze. It is all as one to the dog, and all as one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing is lost – if memory lives.

But there is one best place to bury a dog, if you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call – come to you over the grim, grim frontiers of death, and down the well remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they shall not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and that is well worth knowing.

The one best place to bury a good Dog is in the heart of his master.

Enivea

Thank you for posting this Mark. It is a wonderfully written tribute to the faithful creature, the dog. Mitch must have been a very special person.
Rachael Taylor

This is beautiful.Such truthful words. Mitch must have been an amazing person
Mark Chapman

Thanks Enivea and Rachel, glad you like it
Anne-Marie Bok...

This is wonderful Mark and so true!
Mark Chapman

Thanks Anne-Marie, it gets you right in the heart doesn’t it
Mark Chapman

Wow thanks for featuring this in the petshop cs2 group.
Matt Mawson

A beautiful piece which hits home … we’ve lost two jack russells in recent years, both buried in our garden with their favourite toys. The piece was written in 1926, according to this
Mark Chapman

Thanks Matt, I wasn’t sure who wrote it
artist4peace

this is so beautiful…i think of my faithful Mr Peabody…..
and thank you for your encouragement…after all is prepared ..a cup of tea,earl gray….for us..ty
ad4p
Mark Chapman

Thanks A4P and batten down those hatches, we want a full report afterwards! x
LaurenTaylor ...

Whoa this was amazing. I started getting teary eyed reading it. So true…Thanks for posting it!
Mark Chapman replied

Thanks Lauren, it gets ya right in the heart doesn’t it?
* RoyAllenHunt *

That was absolutely beautiful and touches my heart. No matter, to me who wrote this piece, kudos to you for bringing it to our attention.
Mark Chapman replied

You are most welcome Roy, glad you like it
Catherine Howell

This is so beautiful, Mark. We are having Grizzy cremated because we do not own this property and we could not bear to leave him here…

Thanks for directing me here.
Mark Chapman replied

You are most welcome, glad you liked it
lilian marshall

Beautiful words !!! Makes you think. I know the words are about a dog and it’s not the same but we had our cat who was 20 cremated and buried her ashes under the tree at the bottom of the garden where she always sat .We have a garden ornament there now .A reclining stone cat .We have another cat now .She lived outside for about 7 years after her owner died people did feed her but she wouldn’t let anyone near her .We have had her for 2 years now and is so friendly .It took about 9 months for her to settle down and get used to our friends and family .But she gives us so much love it was worth the effort .A pet is a pet be it a cat or a dog Ahhhh!!!! I know everyone isn’t a cat lover .
Mark Chapman replied

It’s a very personal thing Lillian, but I think the best thing we can do is to give our pets a good home and not mourn at their passing but rather celebrate their lives.
Sande Elkins

Thank you so much, Mark. This is beautiful and it does indeed help.
Mark Chapman replied

Glad you found some comfort reading it.