And our beloved wire fox terrier leader, Jackson, died peacefully in his sleep after fighting so many serious ailments for so long with the help of his dear J1 and J2.
To say we are heart-broken would be an understatement. Among the many heartfelt comments on Wilf and Digby's blog these past weeks was a poem by Rudyard Kipling that expresses our feelings better than we ever could.
God speed, Jackson. God speed, Digby. And to our dear human friends who loved you so, we hope you take comfort in the words of Digby's dad: "There will be laughter and mischief in heaven tonight!"
Joan and Jake and Just Harry
THE POWER OF THE DOG (Rudyard Kipling)
There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart to a dog to tear!
We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long So why in Heaven (before we are there!) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long So why in Heaven (before we are there!) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
20 comments:
What a wonderful sad poem and so fitting to two doggies who fought very hard.
Slobbers,
Mango
My mom just finished drying her eyes from leaving khomments on both of their blogs -
Sad day fur all yet both are finally at peace -
As she pawed something on Digby's blog she had a Frank Sinatra tune pass through her head -
It seemed to fit fur both: My Way -
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
We heard of Jackson's passing this morning before we headed over to Crump's to supervise the barn project and we had a very difficult morning and now to come home and find that Digby has passed too is just overwhelming at the moment. What a sad, sad day this is.
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
We are always so very sad when we read of dogs passing.
We feel so much for their families and have often read Rudyard Kipling's thoughts on the matter. We all feel that pain sadly at some point in our lives.
It is so very hard to bear.
Martha and Baileys's Mum xxxx
It's at times like this that we are glad that others, much more articulate than we, have found the words to provoke thought, provide support, facilitate answers, say what we can't gather ourselves to adequately say. This is a sad day, indeed.
Thank you for your words. And those of Kipling. They all help. And they allow us to realize we are not alone in our sadness.
Fondly. So fondly,
Two more wire fox terriers, Jake and Fergi, and our people xxxxoooo
What a lovely and fitting tribute.
sniffies,
Bonnie
Another very sad day for all. We are very sad at the news about both Jackson and Digby. always so hard to lose a beloved pet.
Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Dad has always loved Kipling. Though he says Kipling is to late, his heart is already given to his dogs.
Essex & Deacon
How beautiful that so many people who know these dogs only through their blogs care and share so much.
Sherry, Alanis, Miro
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jackson and Digby's families.
The poem is beautiful.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
There is never a good time to lose someone you love. You can spend a hundred years with them and you would still long for one more day. I can see Jackson and Digby now - running and playing - knowing that in what will seem like the blink of an eye they will be reunited with the people here on earth who loved them so deeply.
What a great poem for two doggies who fought so hard! We miss them both already! And we can't get our eyes to stop leaking!
Aire-hugs,
Penny & Patches
Oh Boyz. What a sad day yesterday was. Loosing our wirey leader was heartbreaking and poor Digby loosing his fight too. We thought of the J's all day today knowing how this day would be almost unbearable for them. Your tribute was lovely, so fitting. A beautiful poem by one of Mom's favourite poets.
Wiry love and hugs are on their way over to you and yours. Eric xxx
We love Kipling too...we like that he says the saddest things in that lovely lilting meter. It's a terrier thing we think.
gussie n teka
We did not have the pleasure of knowing either but are moved by your thoughtful and well chosen words.
Very sad.
Hugs to you boyz.
Moose & Momma
so beautifully written!
it is true that there's probably one thing on earh that really knows no boundaries, no difference of caste, colour,country, time; and that is the love of a Dog.
we are truly sorry we could not get to know Jackson.
Hope they are both at peace wherever they are
love,
Bud n Gin n their mummy
Tis better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all...
Amen to your post...
Oh, we're sad...so sad...
But we take comfort in knowing that these special dogs are young again and healthy and playing at the Bridge...
We love you...
Laciegirlie and her brothers...
Oh, I did not know you had suffered such a loss as well. What a crummy week this is. I am so very sorry. You will be in my thoughts and prayers today.
Geez Jake and JH...
We are positively sad hearin' about Jackson and though we didn't know Digby.....we are sad ta hear about him too......why Gram 'n Pap just removed a tic from my Mom the other day....we sure hope nothin' comes of it although she doesn't have any symptoms of anythin' right now....
The only good thing we can say right now is we hope both Jackson and Digby are runnin' free at the rainbow bridge with all those that have gone there before 'em. We also hope that their humans can find something ta smile about when they remember them....
Dewey Dewster here.....
oh, that's a super lovely poem but so sad, too. me and my big sis asa and my mama are so sorry about mr. digby and mr. jackson leaving for heaven. we send lotsa gooey nose kisses 'n hugs to those families.
*woof*
the booker man
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