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My Dog-Gone Dilemma

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This was my first dog I ever had. I have not had one since because I realize now that if I ever get another,I will have to be home from work and be with it. They are so much like babies and need our attention. When PD posted her contest on a poems that we wrote while crying, this is the only one I could remember like that. However, the part of the poem where I cried the hardest is vanished. I searched my house last night and could not find the first page. This is the ending of it, which I found on page 2.

That dog loved me so much. That first page described all his endearing qualities I was going to miss by giving him up. He was miniature Eskimo, and I'd gotten him from a stranger when he was a year old. I discovered later, to my chagrin, even though Ollyver was neutered, he was constantly marking his territory. Gradually I noticed stains in the corners of my house where he was doing this when we were not watching. We could not train him to stop. I tried so many things to curtail it. I even called in a trainer to come to my house to at least get  him to let us know when he needed to go outside, but it was to no avail. I would leave him in a crate when I went to work because I couldn't bear to put him out in the cold. My husband finally said, "Enough is enough" and we gave him up. The new owner, however, brought him right back to us a day later. Joe saw the great joy in me and decided we could keep him; however, we finally did give him up to Pet Smart, a pet products store that also does adoptions. They said they had a "no kill" policy. I know he finally died. He was already 11 when we gave him up. He actually appeared to me in a dream. But that's another story!



 
Your eyes meet mine inquisitively. You’re so vulnerable I cry. My husband even suggested (just to be nice) there was maybe something more that we could do. But the writing has been on the wall for some time now and I know that you must go. We shall take you to a place where perhaps with a little luck someone else will want you like I did when I first plucked you up! However, my poor little rascal, you’ll just be buying time. Unless you were kept in a yard all day (which you hate), would anyone else keep you for very long? How long can you survive? Like me, you are rebellious, although very sweet. So maybe for that, upon my death, in a place meant for us, we shall meet. And if the worst is to happen, and you are shortly put to death, if an animal is able, when you’ve taken your last breath, may your doggie soul forgive me. I’m so sorry that we’ll part. You’ve become my dog-gone dilemma, But Olly, you’ll never be gone from my heart. Written in 2000, by andrea dietrich (one of my very first poems. To learn what happened to this dog, please read "about this poem."

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012




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Date: 6/2/2012 5:27:00 AM
not only a pen of gold, but a heart of, not that i did not believe you didn't have. it is on display in anything you write. Oh by the way, i'm still reeling and rockin' from your 'purrin''. soup mail.
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Date: 5/30/2012 9:09:00 AM
I'm just gonna say one thing to you, about the last comment i sent you last night,,, LOL.... at least i tried... moving on,,,
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Date: 4/18/2012 5:27:00 PM
Dogs are not humans, but when they die or you have to part with them forever, for any reason, it is still traumatic...very moving poem... Terry
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Date: 4/15/2012 10:39:00 PM
U Are Rebellious and Sweet! Looks like I'Ve got major SOUP Ketchup reading to do. I thought starting with this one was good. I like it a lot! I am running and gunnin' getting prepped for Central Florida's BIGGEST Poetry SLAM event ....SOUTHERN FRIED 2012...And u know JSLaM is on it DOGGONE IT!
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Date: 4/11/2012 1:10:00 PM
I sometimes wonder if we don't love our pets more than we do people. You know what I mean! They're just simpler creatures, but that doesn't mean that they can't concieve ideas. I lived with someone once who was getting rid of their dog. The day before the dog did it's business like never before on the couch and the floor. I think he knew. :!
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Date: 4/11/2012 9:25:00 AM
I felt sad like this when our neighbors dog died. He was such a loyal friend and guarded our house and yard as if it were his. I still miss Cody. Congratulations.
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Date: 4/10/2012 5:22:00 PM
Congratulations Andrea!!! I'm not gonna read this a second time and cry AGAIN! ;) Well Done...on your win my friend!!! big huggsss,love deb *snif*...i lied... :...(
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Date: 4/10/2012 12:57:00 PM
Congratulations on your win in P.D's "Emotional" contest Andrea. Love, Carol
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Date: 4/10/2012 11:53:00 AM
Andrea congrats on your win, I love dogs..David
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Date: 4/10/2012 10:21:00 AM
congrats on your win with this beautifully written poem. cory
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Date: 4/10/2012 10:05:00 AM
Andrea, , congratulations with your emotional poem! Thank you very much for sharing something so emotional with us. Some poems, are tough to express and share out in the open. God Bless. Always~ PD
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Date: 4/9/2012 1:04:00 PM
A sad poem. Heading up to Saskatoon to babysit so time on the computer may be less. See how it goes but maybe get some poems written. love phyl
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Date: 4/7/2012 12:58:00 PM
This is so sad. As you know, we have many cats. We keep our valuables and perishable stuff in plastic boxes. I've been tempted to put a couple of the rascals out at times, but when I get up in the morning it is so wonderful to have animals to greet me. All they need is to be fed and to be loved. I can understand your problem - not everyone is an animal lover. Love, daver
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Date: 4/7/2012 6:46:00 AM
sad but well-penned piece, my friend
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Date: 4/6/2012 10:29:00 PM
Sad! cute.
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Date: 4/6/2012 6:17:00 PM
This is probably one of the saddest poems I've read in a long time! Wow Andrea, the emotion within this write, how sad it was this day he departed you! It reminds me of when he had to put to sleep our old yorkie. I cried myself to sleep that night, it was awful! I really enjoyed your poem that I have read this evening! Great Work!!
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Date: 4/6/2012 3:13:00 PM
Such a hard thing to do Andrea, I'm sure it hurt to have to do it. Luv, Lizabeth,,,Soup mail
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Date: 4/6/2012 2:23:00 PM
I don't know how to write a crying sound...*snif* ...but this broke my heart... thank you for sharing Andrea...big huggsss, love deb
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Date: 4/6/2012 11:14:00 AM
What a shame you had to give him away, Andrea. Your poem reflect's an innocent's concern for Olly and I'm so sad he had to be relocated. Very touching! Love, Carolyn
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Date: 4/6/2012 8:46:00 AM
This is one sad beauty, Andrea, thnx for sharing, jag
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Date: 4/6/2012 8:28:00 AM
aww a sweet and loving tribute to a treasured doggie Andrea.. my three are a handful .. but so lovable.. cannot imagine what life would be without them around.. I also see u have been "bitten" by Russell.. so now u are to continue as u enter the contest and "bite" another poet luv.. good luck..
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Date: 4/6/2012 8:17:00 AM
Such a great story teller you are, Andrea!...I had a cat that my spouse brought to the marriage...she was jealous of me and kept peeing on my pillow!,,,she went to the kitty kat sanctuary after I had my fill of her!...Only one woman is gonna rule my house!...Oh,...like how you compared your cat to your rebellious qualities..nice touch!..Love, Gwendolen
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Date: 4/6/2012 7:25:00 AM
Hello Andrea, This is both lovely and sad and I feel your sorrow in this poem. What a beautiful write ...Samia
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Book: Shattered Sighs