Bojangles – Our Baby Dog – December 2, 2021
- At December 02, 2021
- By Cara
- In Life Stories
2
“Baby Bojangles” – 11″x15″ The painting I did of Bo when he was about 12 weeks old.
A month ago tomorrow we had to say goodbye to our beloved Bojangles. Though he was 11, he seemed to be doing just fine. He and I walked the 3 miles around Lake Bon Tempe the day before. Then the next day he collapsed, letting us know he was sicker than we knew and it was time to let him go.
I first held him at 3 weeks old and he came home at 7 weeks. We called him “Baby Dog.” Even as he grew and became an older gentleman, we never stopped using that name – along with all the other names we make up for our pets!
A few days ago these words came out of me to share.
Bojangles
Another November
another good-bye.
Bo Doggy, Baby Dog, Bozer,
my sweet, fun, loving Bo-ba-do,
you had to go.
You were sicker than we knew.
You hid it well.
We all laid on the floor together as
she put your body to sleep.
I felt your last heartbeats between your front legs.
Through our sobs we tried to hold on
to the gratitude for the eleven years
we were a family.
“Go lick Pop’s feet,” Joe said.
Your existence, your life, was a miracle to us.
We held the belief that you incarnated with the spirit of our
beloved BJ
after the unthinkable accident that
took his life away.
Before you I lamented:
How can I love a dog as much as I loved BJ?
Joe said: “what if you could love a dog more?”
He was right – he so often is –
about the big things.
My Ambassador of Happpiness,
you always made life into play.
Morning hikes up the hill,
Stair ball – you, barking in frustration
if the ball didn’t fall back down to me.
Beach romps, Tahoe swims.
Always another BIG stick to carry –
your body filled with pride.
Bozy loved cozy too.
Piles of pillows!
Blankie chews,
the heavy comfort of your body
up against our legs on the bed.
We miss you so much.
Soft ears, soft snores,
Kisses on top of endless
stinky doggy-saliva kisses.
I can’t imagine anything ever being
like it was to look into your eyes.
You were all there, all connection, all love.
I’m listening.
Your dad’s words sound in my head.
Why would I ever limit the love that can be
shared with another?
What if I could love another even more?
Why not hope?
Why stop having faith now?
We will hold out that the magic still happens.
That you will come back to us again.
To see how the story continues.
Gwen
Beautiful poem. You express so well the love we have for our pets. Wish they could stay young and playful forever.
Lorraine Stewart
Beautiful! Tears are falling from my eyes. We have our fifth dog now, probably our last since we are in our mid 70’s. Each one was a gift of love.