Dragon's Last Walk?

by Larry Chamberlin   Sep 29, 2013


Fourteen years you've pulled me
along in your ecstasy at being
alive and swaggering boldly
in the park, sniffing every tuft
of grass or weed sprayed in
the secret language of dogs.

Now you are so focused
on setting one paw
in front of the other
that tomes of messages
are bypassed like so many
discarded newspapers.

Three grand mal seizures this
single morning, with hours
of confusion after each attack;
yet we will not take you
to the weekend emergency -
they have only one response.

Coming home tonight
we found you lying
in the same spot as before,
but now in a puddle
you could not hold in,
embarrassed as a pup.

Cleaning you helped;
even so, you hardly
ate a mouthful and now
you sit as if to say,
"This is where we stop;
from here we go home."

Only when we are about
to leave the park for good
do you insist on stopping
to smell the signal tree,
breathing deeply and long
the scents left just for you.

Always I have defended
maintaining you in blindness
by asserting your happiness;
quality of life was balanced
by compensation for your loss
with love and patience from us.

Now I shrink from asking
what do you most want,
for fear that selfish need
on my part prolongs pain
when you may seek only
surcease of a completed life.

Your own vet will see you
and we will hear his advice
but we hope in all sincerity
that there may be some other
solution for your suffering
than that final one.

    report violation
1


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by Ben Pickard

    Hello Larry

    I think I've read a poem similar to this of yours before and related how I had a black Labrador growing up and her loss is still one of the saddest days of my life.
    It's funny, isn't it, that we seem so concerned by doing the right thing by animals and understanding when enough is enough, yet we can never seem to apply that to ourselves. We are told it's cruel to let an animal suffer on but not so us. I'm not stating my view either way, but it has always confused me. I've certainly seen people who don't look like they're enjoying life much anymore! But it is so hard to make a final decision for our pets and when you do, you are often left feeling guilty. However, if an animal is suffering, putting them to sleep has always seemed the best option to me.
    A detailed and well told story as ever Larry, tightly written and moving.
    Take care,
    Ben

  • 8 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    Dragon's Last Walk-this title caught my imagination for it paints a picture of a majestic beast/person who has given his all to serve and protect till its last dying breath.

    I liked how each stanza takes me into your point of view and the feelings that rages within knowing there is only one final destination when a life cannot go on. This brings back memories of my family dog and the same footsteps which we had to take when his time was up...a touching write Sir...

  • 11 years ago

    by Alanis

    You are an experienced poet who caught me, hook, line and sinker in the first sentence. This was vivid and painted a picture so I felt like I was there witnessing this tragedy unravel. I love it, without a doubt. I adore how you speak with so much love. It people like you who set an example with such poetry^^ thank you for maintaining this website, we owe you big time.

Read All Comments (3)

More Poems By Larry Chamberlin