Dog Love
Photo of Sophie by Susan Pittman
Dog Love
When the hurts pile up
and I can’t hold them all,
I retreat to my room
where the tears start to fall.
There she finds me alone,
jumbled up in my bed,
and sorts out my mess
with a nudge of her head.
I wrote this poem in response to Rebecca Davis’ challenge to write poems about kindness at Michelle Barnes’ blog Today’s Little Ditty. I missed the end-of-November deadline. Oh well. I can still share it here with you. I hope you enjoy it.
For more Poetry Friday, visit Buffy Silverman at Buffy’s Blog.
Happy Reading,
Liz
Liz, it’s a treat to read about the kindness of our dear animal pals.
“Jumbled up on my bed” is an especially fetching line, with its double meaning.
Appreciations for sharing “Dog Love.”
Thanks, Jan. I was happy with jumbled too. At first I had folded. It took me a while to realize that really wasn’t what I meant. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Makes me appreciate dogs in a different way …. lovely
Thanks, Ralph. As you know I’m more of a cat person but I can understand why other people are dog people.
I think you must have met our dog, Mason. It’s amazing how intuitive dogs seem and can heal our hearts. I love this poem. Glad you shared it here.
Thanks, Rosi. I’m glad my poem reminded you of Mason. I’m sure animals understand more than we generally give them credit for.
I’m reading this with a champion head nudger at my feet–lovely!
Awww…sweet. I’m glad you have a champion head nudger.
Oh, how I’d love to give that pooch a big hug! What a beautiful poem, Liz. I’d like to add it to the wrap-up post anyway if that’s okay with you.
Of course! I would love that. I’ll email it to you. Thank you!
A wonderful thought, Liz. I miss that companionship of having a pet, and you’ve shared the sweetness of it so well. When a dog comes to nuzzle your hand, and seems to know that something’s wrong, I’ve felt so loved.
What a lovely memory. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great take on kindness, Liz! Have you heard of “comfort dogs”? They are sent to locations where something traumatic has happened. A super program.
No, I hadn’t heard of that. It sounds like a wonderful program.
Oh, the nudge of a dogs head is THE BEST. And then when they look at you, as if to say, here I am… Thank you for your poem! xo
Thanks, Irene. I wish I had thought to ask people to share pictures of their dogs with their comments.
Jumbled – the perfect word for when a dog joins us in bed.
I miss dog nose nudges.
Being a cat person I haven’t had the opportunity to miss dog nudges, but I like the feel of your comforted poem.
Too true! When my dog checks on me “with a nudge of her head” it changes how I feel instantly. Fabulous poem, Liz! =)