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For Jose - In Memoriam

“Help me, Papa,” little Jose so plaintively said As Deb placed his little body next to mine in bed, He was so sick, and I had done everything I could The vet had said he was coming down to the end Both Deb and I couldn’t bear to do what we should. “Papa, I don’t want to go. Cuddle with me, please.” I hugged him ever so gently, brought up my knees In his distress he could still show such warm affection He licked my face and peered at me with sad eyes He understood my words by my comforting inflection. “Papa, please do something. I feel so awfully bad.” So, Deb and I decided it was time to do what we had. We wrapped him in blankets, off to the vet we went “Papa, don’t be sad,” he gave a gentle sigh, “It’s best.” But we could hardly bare to participate in his last event. “Papa, it’s all right. I know you always do the right thing.” I held him to my chest, while Deb began to softly sing. The vet petted him on his little head and said, “It’s time.” Both Deb and I sobbed, our heart was broken for Jose, But we knew he’d wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge sublime. [Jose, our little chihuahua, joined Deb at the Rainbow Bridge on November 20, 2018. "Papa will be here soon," he tells her.] FIRST PLACE WINNER Written June 1, 2022 Submitted to "Personification - Pets Talking" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Constance La France

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/11/2022 9:50:00 AM

This poem is heartbreaking and so beautiful and so deserving of your first place win Milton. It has me in tears. Congratulations my friend. Blessings xxoo

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/11/2022 10:38:00 AM

Thank you so much, Connie. I can no longer read it. It always brings me to tear, and I wrote it!

Constance La France

Date: 7/5/2022 10:08:00 AM

Milt, oh my gosh, I was and am again in tears reading this emotional and beautifully penned poem. Congratulations on your placement in my contest, blessings ~ Constance

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/5/2022 10:11:00 AM

Thank you so much, Constance. I really appreciated the placement in your contest. Jose was a sweet little fellow.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 7/1/2022 11:33:00 AM

Great love personified. Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/1/2022 11:51:00 AM

Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate your thoughts.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/1/2022 9:21:00 AM

Congratulations on this wonderful win. WOW!!! What a write. I do not know how you could write this. You must be crying, I know I am. Yes, they will be waiting for us on the Pets Rainbow Bridge. I can't wait to be there. Have a great/blessed day.......................

Paula Goldsmith
Date: 7/1/2022 11:56:00 AM

I have been there and it is hell on earth. Be Blessed...........

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/1/2022 10:46:00 AM

Paula, I relived that day with every stanza, and I could not hold back the tears. Thank you for your understanding and your kind thoughts.

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 6/2/2022 6:25:00 PM

Extremely heart-wrenching, I went through this twice and then could not keep a pet again

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2022 7:38:00 PM

Oh, Unseeking Seeker, I understand completely. I haven't had a pet since Deb died. Just can't handle it anymore.

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 6/2/2022 12:11:00 PM

Oh, your poem gives me chills~a harrowing experience to have to put ones beloved dog down~a painful but beautiful write. Good luck in the contest. :)Paulette

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2022 12:38:00 PM

It was a difficult one to write, Paulette. As I told Caren, I cried my way through it. After all these years, the thought of that day brings me to tears.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 6/2/2022 3:54:00 AM

I have had to do this with Blue, Lucky and Nova - it is the saddest thing ever, but I know they are waiting with Peepers and Tom my cats, for when my time comes. That gives me comfort. Nicely penned Hank. BRAVO!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2022 10:10:00 AM

Doesn't happen often, but I wrote this with tears flowing down my cheeks. I have a list, too. I could have called this Gretel or Sophie...same story repeated.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/1/2022 9:47:00 AM

I don't think there will be many on here who haven't experienced the loss of a pet, but they're more than that they are family and leave a void when they leave us, We went through the same with ozzie our spaniel. It was a heartbreaking experience. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/1/2022 9:53:00 AM

I know, Tom, and I am sorry for your loss, too. We lost Gretel and Sophie and, oh, so many more over the years. I think this is one of the hardest poems to write ever!

Jeff Kyser

Date: 6/1/2022 9:38:00 AM

Oh man, hard memories. I've had two dogs put to sleep, just a horrible feeling. Miles was old and in pain and the right thing to do, Dizzy had attacked a child, also the right thing to do. But both left me really shaken. You've captured the anguish and emotion very well here.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/1/2022 9:55:00 AM

Thank you, Jeff. It is a very hard thing to do, but so necessary, when the time comes. I told Tom this was one of the hardest poems to write ever. I was writing through tears, and it has been quite some time.