Owls and Orchids

He was small and sweet

A furry ball

No larger than my hand

Four white paws he had

A body of russet-brown

A black mask around his face

I called him Rusty

The keeper of my heart.

His little tail would wag so fast

It was nothing but a blur

Each time he heard my footsteps

Or if I called him to my side

We loved each other shamelessly

He followed me everywhere I went

Beside me day and night

And if in bed I lay alone

With illness or in pain

This cuddly friend was there for me

Carefully creeping upon the bed

To lay his head beside me

His breathe a caress upon my neck

Loyal and true my beautiful friend

The keeper of my heart

No braver dog than he

He chased away the biggest dogs

Or stranger who came too close to me

We laughed and played for many a year

And loved each other truly

Time seemed to pass us by

Until it caught up too soon

Then one day he left me

I hadn’t seen how old he’d grown

The love we had still new

He left a hole deep in my heart

That one day he will fill

When he finds a dog to take his place

And sends him home to me.

For my beautiful friend, my dog, Rusty.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.”
― Milan Kundera

Rusty was a special dog, we fell in love from the moment we saw each other. He was by my side through the good and the bad and seemed to always know when I was hurting or lonely and he would appear as if by magic. Curled up on my lap I felt a love and acceptance which was unique. I loved him equally in return.

I count myself so Blessed to have shared his life for as long as I did and such gratitude that I had someone to love me so dearly. Years have passed and I miss his cheeky grin and wildly wagging tail still. I know, deep in my heart that he is sending me a dog he has chosen to be my best friend. I feel very strongly that it won’t be too much longer now and yet I will never forget this special dog who saved my sanity in my darkest days.

Blessings. Susan xx

© Susan Jamieson