Dog Days of Summer Done Got Dog Gone

Old Dogs and New Tricks

by stu pidasso

30August2010

I bark from where I sit.

I am too old and lazy to chase anymore.

Those damn squirrels

taunt me from my water bowl,

as do those flighty dove.

Kids walk through my yard

unencumbered by my presence.

They do not fear, nor do the elicit

any action from my tired hide.

It is "chasing rabbits" that I love.

I used to dig like a chinaman,

throwing sod and earth behind me.

Now I dig the cool concrete,

wiggling my snoozing puppy-dog feet

and chewing on my best friend's glove.

Even the cat, that overgrown rat,

promenades about the hedges.

I would, if I could, teach him

a thing or three about feline sandwiches,

with help from the Master above.

But even in my advanced state of age

occasionally i am found in such a fit

and am thus to be tied to the tree out back.

Now they want me to get "tutored", and off

we go to that villainous vet, just because...

this old dog needs to learn new tricks.

Friends to the end

Reflecting on some of my relationships, I choose to acknowledge now, one of my closest friends over the hardest years of my life. He is getting quite old now and I am afraid at how quickly he will be called home from us. He was at my side during most of the hard times, and those that he wasn't there for wasn't by his choice. The old saying that dog is man's best friend is an understatement. Every boy should have a dog, because they are the epitome of loyal, even when we are not. When we, as men, screw up and betray the people closest to us, we are labeled "dogs", which is an insult to our canine friends. Brutus, I am glad we met and the pleasure of having you around was my dad's, my mom's and mine. I hope you will be in heaven when I get there.

Ode To Brutus

Our meeting came by chance.
I watched you weather rants.
When the moment came I did not hesitate.
That's how we started this "dance".

Life with me was quite good.
We trod through field and wood.
As our journey took us along our chosen path,
we enjoyed every moment we could.

Set in my memory you'll be.
Will you recognize me?
In the midnight hours of my most difficult days
your faith has set me free.

When my heart weighed a ton.
I became the prodigal son.
You waited patiently for my every return.
Until I learned I can't run.

In the yesteryears gone past.
Our bond held tight and fast.
We stuck together through thick and thin.
Best buddies to the last.

Set in my memory you'll be.
Will you recognize me?
In the midnight hours of my most difficult days
your faith has set me free.

I woke this early morn.
tattered and a bit worn.
When I heard the news I just had to cry,
because my heart feels forlorn.

Now I'm left to roam.
In this big empty home.
Every where I look I see shadows of you,
projected down from kingdom come.

Set in my memory you'll be.
Will you recognize me?
In the midnight hours of my most difficult days
your faith has set me free.

Gerald E. White

1July2009

Amazingly, the dog in this photo looks just like my friend, Brutus; but it is not. I was moved by the caption and the photo. Some things just touch the heart and make you think of the things that should be important.