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 
This is so sweet 🙂
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Thank you. He was a sweet old boy.
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…u kissed a universal touchstone with this one…we had to improvise a duet in memoriam of prospero’s ariel, a blue ribbon champion & buddy for 16 year! he died in my arms several dogs ago but he still runs in our hart of harts…thank you for this arresting eulogy robert-san! gasso, sacred warrior! m
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ahh robert san, dogs are gods as we both know…if we were as good as our dogs think we are the world would be a much better place… i am on my 7th dog just now – a double pedigree UK registered Irish Setter named Redwing Cordelia’s Koning Leartje. KL never has a bad day! Your poem brings back sweet memories of gods who have gone before us into what lies beyond…gassho sacred warrior (i adore your poetry & am so deeply honored such a fine poet appreciates the ink stains of my scribling quill) ^^~~~~+
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…so far only you brother seem to have a nose with enough wit to catch the scent juvenal irony bordering on sarcasm in the recent exchange you liked! gassho!
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The love we receive from our furbabies is endless. What a beautiful, heartfelt tribute. Be well~
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They teach us well. Thank you.
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These things can be tough. Sorry for your loss.
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Thank you.
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Your loss is my loss, too…may you be with him again at The Rainbow Bridge
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Thanks, Ron.
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https://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm
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Thanks again, Ron.
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A great poem for a much loved member of your family.
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Thank you.
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Beautiful! Sorry for your loss
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Thank you. He was a great dog.
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I am so sorry that you have lost such a loving member of your family.
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Thank you. He was much fun, and even enjoyed hanging out in the kitchen while I was cooking.
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I’ve noticed when abandoned pets are adopted they seem to have the best personalities and companionship qualities.
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This has been our experience, too.
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Much love to Jackboy, much love to the Okajis x
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I appreciate your sentiments. Thank you.
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It’s so sad when they are gone and then we miss them forever.
I booked a place in Dog’s Heaven so I know I will see them again someday.
I bet Jackboy had a great life 🙂
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We’ve lost three old dogs in the past four years. It doesn’t get any easier, even when you know it’s coming.
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Thank you for your love, respect and devotion to a doggy that, at one time, had no hope but went on to live a life of fulfillment.
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From a dog who cowered from a rolling ball to a confident, happy pooch! This is how we’ll remember him.
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What a lovely, fitting tribute to Jackboy. You’re a good boy too:-)
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I can only hope to one day attain Jackboy’s state of good boyness.
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The loss of a family pet is never easy. I know how hard it can be. This was a lovely tribute.
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Thank you very much.
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I knew I was going to cry….I’m so sorry for your loss of Jackboy, but I am so happy you all were together for all the love and wonder of being deeply together. Yes, a good boy. We should all wish to be good boys. they teach us so much more than we realize or can imagine.
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This is so true. I have learned the value of patience, repetition, and simplicity, and the joy of living in the moment.
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He truly was a good boy. My Pugsley cat taught me all about unconditional and unrestrained love.
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🙂 They are excellent teachers!
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Heart wrenching.
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It always is.
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I’m sorry.
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Thank you.
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I too am sorry for your loss, you had a great pet and friend and I am saddened by the neighbor’s crueity and happy by how he nipped at your heels-there is simplicity here and great joy but cuts too when you think of the untimely loss-my condolences and your words brought tears to my eyes as well
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Thank you. We spent many hours together over the years. I’ve learned to cherish these passing moments.
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yes I think we have to cherish what doesnt last and to appropiate our love where it is needed as you did with Jackboy, again so sorry for your loss
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One of the sadder times in life is losing one of our animal friends and companions. He will always be with you. And perhaps most of all he was lucky to have you and vice versa.
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Yes, thank you.
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My first dog died about 16 years ago. I still miss her.
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It doesn’t get easier.
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What a lovely dog–sad to hear what he went through but glad that he had a happy ending and brought joy to you and your family’s lives.
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I can only imagine his early life, but he was wary of men, and afraid of chain. But he became a loving dog.
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I’ll say a prayer for you. There’s no pain quite like losing a faithful canine companion. Just today, while I was out walking, I was “overwhelmed” by the memory of a dog we lost to a seizure some months back, and I had to simply stand still and wait for the grief to wash over me as I thought of the joy that we were able to share during her brief life.
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Thank you. We form such strong bonds that letting go can be very difficult.
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What a beautiful way to remember your friend. It is never easy when they slip away from us. I’m very sorry to hear of your loss.
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Thank you,.
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A lovely tribute. Our lives are marked by the passing of the animals we have held in our care.
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Thank you.
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Pets are family. Lost our dog over a year ago to cancer. We still miss him. Sorry for your loss. Peace.
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Thank you. They are indeed family.
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The loss of a good friend it is hard to take, what a beautiful dog.
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He was indeed a beautiful dog.Thank you.
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What a lovely tribute. Sounds like you gave him the best life, and that’s something to hold on to.
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I’ve always felt that our dogs gave more than they received.
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A dog is another family member, for sure.
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Indeed.
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Sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds lucky to have found you.
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I think we were both lucky.
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Great closing line, Robert. A great poem to send out into the unknown world with him.
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Thanks, Jeff. His herding instinct was a wonder to behold. I wish I had a video of Jackboy and the crickets…
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“He nips heels where none exist. We follow.”—Wonderful.
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Thank you.
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They truly are family. mine has an orange ring that she never leaves behind. Thank you for sharing. shared love… ‘And with the breeze runs other unspoken tales….’
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Jack had two favorite balls – a black one in the country, and an orange one in town. He’d lost interest in them lately, which was an indicator of his pain. I’ve not yet been able to throw out his ball. Many memories…
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I’m so sorry for your loss. This poem is a beautiful tribute to him.
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Thank you.
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What a lovely and touching poem. I’m sorry to hear your wonderful friend has moved on. Bless him.
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Thank you.
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I’m very sad for your loss. We love them so much… it never gets any easier to say goodbye. Your tribute to your boy is a beautiful way to mark his passing.
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Thank you.
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This is very beautiful.
I have two rescue dogs of my own and they are at the centre of my world. This is such a lovely tribute. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Thanks very much.
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So sorry for your loss. Our dogs, too, are well-loved members of our family.
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They do seep into our beings, don’t they?
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A beautiful tribute. Sorry for your loss.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Now I miss him too
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Thanks for sharing our loss.
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It is heartbreaking to lose someone you love. I am just glad Jackboy found you and had all those wonderful years to give and receive love. Take care.
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We were fortunate to have him for so long.
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I love love the structure of this poem. i just wish the last line was a couplet too.
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Sometimes poems end themselves.
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Yeah, they do
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Beautifully written memories. I felt a little teary at your loss while reading this, you evoke the sense of loss so well.
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Thank you.
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Very nice. And unusual to see Imagism on a poetry blog. Refreshing 🙂
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Thank you. I’m having fun with the photos.
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I’m so sorry about Jackboy’s passing, Robert, but I’m also glad you guys saved him from a miserable fate out in the tireless Texas sun. This poem is a great tribute to his admirable & loving character, as is the poignant photo of his squeaky ball. Five-plus years later, we have our dog’s squeaky soccer ball (and his adoption photo in the paper, etc.). I keep his toy out in the yard as a reminder.
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I imagine that at some point I’ll let the ball go. But I’ve also kept his bed here in my writing shack (he had two other beds – in the living room, and the bedroom), in hopes, perhaps, of finding another canine writing partner.
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If you ever do fiction writing, Robert, I could see something about Jackboy’s life story, fictionalized, making its way into the annual (AFAIK it’s still annual) AKC fiction writing contest. I think they’re usually in January and, I think, don’t have to feature “papered” or “certified” purebreds. That’s a good story/concept in itself, of a canine-human writing partnership. I sort of visualize an opinionated Asta barking his approval to certain lines and rhymes. I know cats are featured in a lot, especially mysteries, but dogs?? Not sure.
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We are still mourning the loss of our female cat 2 weeks ago….it is so hard. I am sorry for your loss.
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I am so sorry about your cat.
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This is a touching tribute. Dogs have and share character and special moments with us in much the same way as other humans. Your piece does a great job of providing the sort of specific moments that one remembers from life with a dog. Our relationship with dogs is among the most special things on the planet.
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It’s difficult to imagine a life without dogs.
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This is really touching. Man’s best friend :’)
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Thank you.
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I just lost the best dog in the world, too. Some days I burst into random crying. Grieve, for there is not better place for your sorrow than the loss of one so loyal and loving. Then, once your heart comes up for air, remember him through by honoring the lessons he taught you.
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Good advice. Thank you.
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I’ve just sat here reading through your pain and reliving mine after losing my beautiful grand-dog,Tyra, to cancer at Easter time. Only we who have loved and lost our much loved pets can fully appreciate your sorrow. I’m feeling your pain!
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I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
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Thanks, Robert, for the follow. I look forward regularly to your very creative posts as well.
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