A Tribute To Golda

A Tribute to Golda

It was a clear and bright sun shining morning in May.
As I came out my front door into the breezeway,
I saw coming toward me an enormous gray dog with eyes of pure gold,
The most exquisitely beautiful canine one could ever behold,
With a calm gentle presence and peaceful demeanor;
The look in his brilliant gold eyes assured I had nothing to fear.

It was love at first sight and I hoped he would stay.
Never mind the impediments; I’d find a way.
My toddler son climbed on him like they’d grown up together,
As I seriously pondered the prospect of whether…
Absolutely not, said my husband, a cat man, 
And nixed the idea before it began.

Weeks later, a litter box and cat food mysteriously appeared
On the sidewalk, out of nowhere; we thought it quite weird.
With the next morning’s sunrise, we figured it out.
The same coat of gray and gold eyes left no doubt;
The same being who before as a dog had been spurned,
In a more acceptable form and presence had now returned.

Bounding out of the bushes with a commanding meow,
A little gray, gold-eyed kitten my husband had to allow.
In her life as a cat and formerly a dog,
She was my brave and wise Golda who would go on to log
More than one rescue of our subsequent pets.
In defending attack, this courageous gray, gold-eyed feline was as fierce as it gets.


Note: Golda saved the life of my Chow-Chow puppy when she was attacked by a big dog that
came at her from across the street. Golda came out of nowhere with claws out, sending the
dog scurrying with his tail between his legs. Another time she rescued our little Siamese
youngster, Meowli, from the neighbors' dogs by jumping on their head while Meowli ran for
cover. Golda stayed with me for 12 years, longer than the husband cited in the poem, and
then when her time and her work was done, she just disappeared pretty much as she had
appeared. She was a beautiful, long haired all gray Persian with brilliant gold eyes. When not
rescuing other animals, she had the same calm, gentle and peaceful demeanor as the dog who
showed up that morning and left when he knew he was not welcome to stay.

7th place winner in ~Somewhere A Pet Is Waiting Contest~ sponsored by ~A Rambling Poet~
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Haick Avatar
November 19, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Congratulations on your poem featured this week Linda! Always, Audrey
Austin Avatar
November 17, 2010 at 8:10 AM
Cats are incredible. We've had a great number of them in our 59 years together, but never one like your Golda. She was special. Congrats on the selection. Dave
Brown Avatar
November 15, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Linda. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
November 14, 2010 at 2:04 PM
Congrats Linda on your featured poem this week on the Soup.. a special piece to share with us all this happy Sunday with luv.. hope u are doing well and will return to Soup soon..luv..
Brown Avatar
March 16, 2010 at 6:05 AM
Congratulations on your win in the contest ~Somewhere A Pet Is Waiting Contest~ sponsored by ~A Rambling Poet~ Linda. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
March 15, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Hey a belated congrats here on your win! It really was an interesting tale. Luv, andrea
Haick Avatar
March 14, 2010 at 10:37 AM
A wonderful tribute to Golda, Linda! My warm congratulations to you on your win in the contest with this beauty..and Thanks for reading and leaving your kind comments for me....Peace, Audrey
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 3:54 AM
Congratulations on your win in The Rambling Poet’s “Somewhere A Pet Is Waiting” contest with this magical story. I must say, it is a delightful read and a wonderful way to start the day. (Going to my favorites!) Lovingly, Dane Ann
Sweetheart Avatar
March 10, 2010 at 6:24 PM
A big congrats Linda on your winning poem and placement in the Pet contest.. a wonderful write and win for u to so enjoy as I have reading it.. luv.. Linda-Marie..
Johnson Avatar
March 10, 2010 at 5:49 PM
What a wonderful story. I loved your poem. Congratulations. Joyce
Bono Avatar
February 14, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Very well written.I am having issues right now because I had to put my dog to sleep last night.Thank you for your comment and I will chat when I am feeling better.
 Avatar
February 4, 2010 at 1:37 PM
What an uplifting story in poetry form. Nice tribute to Golda. You have me smiling to today. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for your kind comment. Karen
Dufresne Avatar
February 3, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Still like this Golda. Amimals are so very cool. The older I get the more I seem to like them. Wild or tame, s'all right with me. Love to watch them. Linda thanks again for your edit. You're pretty sharp on that sort of thing. when I write a book I'll have to have you read it first! Thanks again for that and your welcome comments. -Robert
K. Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 2:06 AM
a hero of a cat and a wonderful tribute to your feline friend :) you were indeed lucky to have her :) thanks for sharing
Haick Avatar
January 27, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Awesome write, Linda! Amazing how our animal pets are so loving and blend into the family. Good story. GOes to my favs.! Thank you for reading and leaving your kind comments for me. Peace and love, Audrey
Bono Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 12:27 PM
What a good guard kitty.I like this one.I hopw all is well with you.I am doing a little better.Just reading poems today to pass the time.
Patrick Avatar
January 20, 2010 at 9:46 PM
thats truely amazing. excellent write. even better read. great talent requires great sacrafice... now write more!!! lol j/k j/k... but i am a fan... just get around to it whenever you can
Mason Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 3:48 PM
What a wonderful tribute to your Golda! You are an excellent writer and so glad you've brought your talents to the Soup !!
Sweetheart Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 8:19 PM
What a wonderful story.. thankxxx for sharing this with us.. and welcome to Poetry Soup Family of poets.. saw your comments on the blogs today and wanted to say a quick hello... enjoyed your poetry tonight.. blessings.. luv.. Linda-Marie..
Kendrick Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 5:37 AM
Beautiful story told that was drawing and alluring.. I had a cat "Whitey" that showed up at my door and I let her stay she gave me a surprise...three kittens. Now I have two cats that live here. They are the guardians of the estate. They stay on the very top of the house most of the time and drive the dog insane looking for them. Keep the creative pen flowing. Sara
Strand Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Thank you for your welcome blog comments Linda.Rgds Brian
Goff Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Hi Linda! I enjoyed this story immensely! and thank you for your kind comment and welcome to the family soup! jimbo
Owens Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 5:03 PM
This is a wonderful poem...I love it...good luck in the contest...Marty
Dietrich Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 1:33 PM
HI, there again. finally read your other comment to me about poems as children. So glad you can relate to that. In the beginning I had so few "children" Like a first time mother, always going back and looking again and again and it is nice to be an 'older" mom now, , with more children than the mother in the shoe, sometimes I can't even recall where I misplaced those darn kids. hahaha. LUv, andrea
Sheart Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Your cat the hero! Love this amazing story. Thanks for the footnote at the end! This going to make a wonderful entry in the cat tails contest Linda. Best of luck! I will be sending good thoughts your way. Take care sweet. Love Light Patty
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