Abused, abandoned and left to die of thirst or predation more than a dozen years ago on a largely uninhabited county road terminating at our rural property’s entrance, Jackboy brought much laughter and comfort to our household. Tireless shadow, friend, writing partner, loyal companion and protector, he was, and will remain forever, a good boy – in his estimation, the highest possible praise. It has been two days. We miss him.
Jackboy’s Pride
Through patience,
recognition eases in: the patterns
of repetition and praise
and joy in task. The orange ball. A scorpion’s
tail. How we delight in sharing each
victory. And with the breeze
runs other unspoken tales – a neighbor’s
cruelty, bones, the pregnant raccoon
lumbering through the cedars. But nothing
deters the jump and the following drop.
He nips heels where none exist. We follow.
O at the Edges 
My heart hurts for you. I lost my beloved Belle last fall, and I still miss her every day.
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Thank you. He was the third dog we’ve lost in just over four years, all of them old. But these losses are all difficult, aren’t they?
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I am closest to the animals, and this has touched me. Thank you for sharing it with me.
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Thanks for reading it.
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Pooches are part of the human race, now. Losing them is sad.
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Losing them is indeed sad.
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Beautiful
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Thank you.
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This brought tears to my eyes. I lost my sweet cat Shady. He was beautiful and died young of kidney failure. Your dog Jackboy was a champ and had your heart. Blessings to you…
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I can’t even begin to tell you how bad I feel for you. I’m so sorry. The pain and sorrow is so intense. I’m just so sorry. What a beautiful soul. How lucky you both were. I’m sorry.
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Thank you.
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So sorry for your loss. The love dogs can give is unconditional (as long as we feed them) and they enrich our lives beyond measure. Like all great loss you will take a long time to settle and for the pain to lessen. I wish you well on your grief-journey.
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http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/closer?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Poem-a-Day++July+31+2014&utm_content=Poem-a-Day++July+31+2014+CID_d7cbab49a0b6dd08543f6b3e14c551a4&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Closer
Poem by Peter Colvino
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Dogs are the best People!
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Ah but look at the joy he had with a loving family, you changed his life and he repaid you by being your shadow. Love that.
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Yes, he was a joyous, goofy shadow.
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This is so lovely and touching. Dogs are the best.
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very moving
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Thank you. Dogs inspire me.
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Dogs do love the joy of repetition! Insisting on our compliance!!
Dwight
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They certainly do! And routine!
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