care for those age’d until the end
Sissy
Meet my new dog Sissy. She was dumped in the Van Nuys animal shelter, 12 years old, but still loving life. Jeanine of Bichons and Buddies pulled her for me, put a lot money into her Vet bills and I will take care of her for the rest of her life. I don’t understand how anyone can dump their dog, especially one that is old, they’ve had for a while, who has been a loyal friend. This is about dogs like Sissy, who are dumped by their owners for being old, sick, cancer ridden injured etc.
care for those age’d until the end
care for those age’d until the end
especially your lifetime friend
do not be one who walks away
let your giving spirit transcend
don’t let compassion fade away
acts of kindness should not decay
when friends get old and need some aid
send them a flowery bouquet
a good friend should never be betrayed
left for dead in a dark stockade
horrified, dazed and full of fear
suffering, ailing and decayed
her big sad eyes shedding a tear
never again to consider cheer
never having wished to offend
wishing your love had been sincere
care for those age’d until the end
especially your lifetime friend
do not be one who walks away
let your giving spirit transcend
*****************************
Written for:
FormForAll: Rubaiyat Quatrains
Also posted on:
Wordless Wednesday
We were supposed to write a “rubaiyat quatrain” which has a AABA format and preferably written in iambic tetrameter. I managed the tetrameter, my iambs, as usual, have much to be desired, but I’m an American Engineer, and should be forgiven for these transgressions. Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening is the most famous one that I know.
Photo credit: Bat-Ami Gordin © 2012 all rights reserved, credit if you use it, please.
Posted on April 5, 2012, in Animal, D’verse Poets Pub, Dogs, Poetry, wordless wednesday and tagged animal right poetry, animal rights verse, bichon and buddies, dog poem, dog poetry, dversepoets, earthquake, East Valley Animal Control, nighmare verse, nightmare, prompted verse, sissy, Van Nuys Animal Shelter, wordless wednesday. Bookmark the permalink. 44 Comments.
Verification wastes my time, and often doesn't work. I am going to stop commenting on pages that require verification one of these days.
ZONGRIK 
Bless you. You will be loved til the end of time by Sissy.
It is amazing what kind of decisions some people make
for their own convenience..
Thank you for introducing Sissy…she looks loving and
loyal. What more could you ask for in a friend. ☺.
Peace,
Siggi in Downeast Maine
thanks so much for saying that.
Very touching and meaningful…you have a compassionate heart.
Thanks for the picture ~
Cheers ~
Absolutely right. (And she’s so cute!) I have a bichon who’s almost 17. Granted, she is not as “engaging” as she was, but she’s just wonderful.
Also have a mother near 90! And father-in-law 101.
Great poem! K.
That was a touching and heartfelt story, and I for one see it the way you do: that those animal companions that provide us with so much love and loyalty, they deserve nothing less than our love and loyalty as well.
it deeply saddens me to hear of such a complete lack of compassion for animals. How wonderful that you used this form to highlight this issue. nicely done Tammy.
Oh you are right – what a horrifying thing to do. How COULD they? So glad you are taking care of her.
That’s really cute dog, sad, and thanks for bringing the subject to light.
i think that’s somehow a “product” of our time that people walk away or throw away when it’s getting difficult..glad you have such a compassionate heart tammy..happy dog that you found her..
So sweet and true… I especially like the final stanza. Congratulations on your adorable new friend.
amen sistah…haha…i agree and sadly we too often do walk away whether it is human or animal , much easier to shelter them in care and pretend they are getting everything they need…not me…i dont plan on ever…and great heart on caring for the pups…that is awesome ma’am…
and i am finally up…smiles…slacker me…
nice message here.
The thoughtless cruelty of the deed is shocking, Our 12 year dog worries and frets if any one of us is away for a night for work. She won’t go asleep until the last one downstairs comes to bed. In turn we have abandoned holidays to pay for her vet bills. A thoughtful theme.
thanks you for caring for her like that!!
I am grateful to anyone who takes care of a pet, for those who adopt from shelters, and those who rescue in times of hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. Your poem is touching in its meaning and well executed in its form..the form adding to and magnifying the meaning.
I think sometimes dogs and cats may simply have outlived their owners and no one is left to take care of them. This must make it doubly cruel for the animal. For that reason I am reluctant to adopt another. I had my cat Sam for twenty years. If I do adopt it will be an animal that will not outlive me because I fear this would be the result as no one would be left to care for it. Seniors need to keep that in mind before taking in a puppy or kitten.
that’s a good point you make. thanks for all you’ve said.
Wonderful subject to address. The treatment of animals by humans is appalling. Shelters are over run with dumped animals. I personally have dropped everyone who in my opinion do not care for their animals in an acceptable way eg. going on hols and leaving animals with little food and
‘there is water in swimming pool you know’
Humans have so much to learn about love and loyalty from animals . They are superior to a lot of people I used to know.
Thank you for this poem.
I love how you say they are superior. It’s the religions that have convinced people that people are superior and that people are in the image of God. That is because only people have money that can be endowed to the religious institutions. Since animals have no money, and no power, the religions want no part of them, and have convinced humanity that they are lesser. Many religions also convince people that people who do not follow their views are lesser. It’s how they think. It’s how they operate.
Sissy is fortunate indeed that she ended up with a friend such as you. To me, it would be like giving up one of my children to walk away…there’s no way! There are way too many of our pet friends ending up like Sissy…before you came along, of course.
And you are fortunate too…look at that darling face…what a sweetheart!
she’s an angel. thanks for your kind words.
I am glad you rescued Sissy. My pets have always been dogs. The poem you wrote is really good. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
We are a throwaway society, it seems. It is too bad that animals have to treated as so much trash. Your poem is a plea for compassion, for even the less powerful beings. The form serves well your message.
touching write. i know how dumbfounded i was to see people drop off their lifelong pets at the carson shelter and pick out a new one. it must be a product of our ridiculously materialistic culture, like trading in an older model tv for a newer one. these people drop off geriatric dogs that are injured or suffered a stroke, and so these dogs have to wait for days to be put down in a crazy large animal shelter. sis looks as happy as you sound. great piece.
Reblogged this on hand4paws.
Welcome to a loving home Sissy…your new family loves you dearly and is with you till the end. Bless you for saving her ❤
I completely agree with you, and such a beautiful piece! All of my pets have been adoptions/rescues, so I can sympathise with you over Sissy. I hope she has many happy years with you.
Love the rhyme scheme! Never tried that one myself. Is this what they call a pantoum? Thank you for sharing your writing, and especially for the passion and decency that fueled it.
Reblogged this on delia1979.
“very sad”,such a great write on an important issue.bad enough people do this to our devoted pets but also our old and ageing.just real sad.
Awwwww so sweet of you to take her! I don’t know how anyone could do that to a poor animal either 😦 So sad there’s people like that, but very enlightening that there’s people like you 🙂 Thanks for linking up this beautiful post!
Brandi
This a beautiful poem! I’m a very big fan of adopting/rescuing furry friends in need!
Sissy is so beautiful! We have a rescue pug, and I just can’t imagine just abandoning her. I think she knows that after the puppy mill rescue, I was the one happy to take her in. My husband told me I have to outlive her because she sits at the door and cries when she knows I’m gone lol.
I wish more people were as compassionate as you! Thank you for taking her in!
I could never just dump my dog in old age. Shame on those people!
Thank God she found you…I cannot imagine ever doing this to a little creature who would never understand why…but, maybe there was some reason we don’t understand. “Care for those age’d until the end” – how beautiful.
That is very sad. But it is awesome that you are taking care of her. Love the poem.
She’s beautiful! Glad that you are taking her under your wing. 🙂
I’m so glad you rescued her! Very touching post!
Happy WW! Thanks for stopping by and linking up 🙂
Yay for you! I too tend to adopt adult dogs (current is estimated to be five years old, but who knows?), and feel so happy that you and Sissy have found each other.
I also admire your regular poetry practice, and I intend to join you now that I’ve found the “Verse Poets’ Pub” through your blog. Many thanks.
i’m honored that i’m the one to get you introduced to dverse 🙂 thanks for all your comments and support
You’ve impressed me hugely by taking in this sweet baby and your poem is awesome. I adopted a 6 year old poodle from our SPCA last September – one of many adoptions over my lifetime so far – and she has brought so much joy to my life as I know this little one will do for you. Bless you, Zongrik!
Oh, I also have a Bichon who is now about 15 years old. He was dumped on our street and, when we put up “found” signs, his owner called & said he was coming to pick him up when the kids got out of school. He never came. I can’t believe people do shit like that.
I have a Bichon also. He got dumped on the street.
Thanks for all your comments. But more, thanks for helping dogs in need!!
Tammy, I am a Christian – and no one can tell me that, after they have looked into the eyes of a dog, a cat, or even a cow, they have no souls. Humans are highly over-rated, if you ask me. Pets don’t build cars that punch holes in the ozone! All our cats have come from shelters. Lovely sentiment, my dear. Amy