Black Dog

My uncle said he’d seen a dog, Come down his path one day. But not aware who’s dog this was, He shouted, “Go Away!” The dog looked up at him, then left, It ‘faded’ out of sight. He then knew who his guest had been, This dog was black as night. This was the dog that visits us, At times when death is near. To help guide those who leave this life, The ones that we hold dear. While walking down her garden path, My auntie died next day. The warning that my uncle had, He’d tried to turn away. An operation had gone wrong, Our daughter was in pain. Nothing that the doctors knew, Could make her well again. Then when we visited one night, We shuddered when she said. A big black dog was also there, And playing ‘round her bed. But she seemed a little stronger, Though we knew whom she had seen. We thought he’d told of someone else, And wondered why he’d been. Alas, it wasn’t meant that way, That week our daughter died. I know within my heart of hearts, Our dog would be her guide. For many years he’d not been seen Though others close have died. Maybe, he only comes to those, Who need him by their side. When sitting in a meeting room, A stranger came to me, And said he had a message, About something he could see. Two dogs he said, were by my side, Both looked as black as night. Although the little one looked old, His fur was tinged with white. Again I shrugged this message off, I didn’t think at all. But while we were on holiday, We got that dreadful call. Our ‘Lucky’ had just had a stroke, Our son was going ‘round. But when he reached the kennels, Just his earthly shell he found. Three times within our memory, Our spirit dog’s appeared, To warn us of the saddest things, That we have ever feared. But though he is an omen, That we’ll lose someone we love, It comforts us to truly know, He’ll guide their path above. This dog had been my grandma’s dog, I knew till I was five. But now she’s living proof to us, That all our souls survive. Ivor G Davies