Lassie, the Golden Retriever

Lassie, the golden retriever was a beautiful dog with a rich, shaggy coat, and two gorgeous brown eyes; thirty long years have passed, and that name still echoes with hurt: remembering the fun times we had! Deep into the back-woods, a kind of wilderness, she would ran off and sometimes get lost; I'd call her and she would answer with a bark... Lassie found a strayed puppy who needed milk, and right there she fed him with her motherly tenderness: how cute was the hungry puppy suckling without haste! Lassie, lovable, Lassie slip off the leash and run off to chase after the timid and slender squirrels that love to climb in the dogwood tree, which I planted four decades ago! Lassie, adorable, Lassie lead me to the narrow and dusty lane, where we both find a fragrant apple tree,very green but low... to rest in its soothing shade as summer delights us with its sound! Dogs have short lives, mine seems very long, and I immensely regret to have taken you to the animal shelter by those dark rail-road tracks... by whisking you away in a bright-yellow cab, so that they could find you the nicest place to stay... because the land-lady, with a German accent, stated," No pets allowed!" And that happened when I moved to a small apartment in Ozone Park by mid-May! Lassie, faithful and loving dog, your pictures proudly hang on every wall, refusing to let that memory vanish from inside, always cherishing the sweetness of you: my most loyal friend; and I still can remember those younger days as dashing as sunlight! Come, Lassie...let me snuggle you and make believe yesterday never came; I would rather recall the happy past...than constantly linger on blame! Copyright 2009 by Andrew Crisci