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Old Tige My Dog

Army service done, I was heading home
My Ma and friends I'd missed and Tige my dog
Served my three years never again I'd roam
I got off the bus, there was a dense fog.

And lying there was Tige my canine friend
Tige led the way, I started to follow
Strange way he went turning left at the bend
A dam was being built, I did not know.

I reached home, Ma was rocking in her chair
Said she'd wrote me about how Tige had died
Her words shocked me all I could do was stare
But I'd just seen him,  Ma wouldn't have lied.

Safe route had gone but Tige had led the way
She said Tige had died three years to the day

Written on 26 September 2018.
Inspired by 'Gentleman ' Jim Reeves classic song 'Old Tige'

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2018

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Valsa George Date: 5/15/2022 1:48:00 AM What an amazing story ! He loved you so much that he wished you shouldn't land in danger. Though the surprise ending is something imaginary, you have made it so real.... Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 5/15/2022 3:09:00 AM Thank you Valsa, it was the Jim Reeves song old tige that inspired this one. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss Date: 11/8/2018 7:32:00 PM Also love, dog poems and this is a special one. I do believe that their love continues on after they are physically gone. And love can move mountains. The song inspired you well. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 11/9/2018 2:25:00 AM Thank you very much Sandra, Jim Reeves was a popular singer when I was growing up.Happy you enjoyed it. Tom.

CayCay Jennings Date: 10/27/2018 10:37:00 AM Wow, I've seen movies about such and they're all 'ball your eyes out' movies, so is this poem. Gripped me, you did! Poetry hugs ... CayCay Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 10/27/2018 3:06:00 PM Thank you very much CayCay, I'm happy you enjoyed it, The old Jim Reeves song Old Tige inspired this one. Tom.

Eve Roper Date: 9/29/2018 11:00:00 AM Great sonnet, Tom, when a pet entwines in your heart they are like family and not a pet anymore. The feeling of a lost of one is taken very hard.. Since my husband has died my Yorkie has given me reason to get up in the morning to feed and walk him. He has become my sleeping partner and gets very upset if I leave him behind at anytime, but he was like that before Roper passed. Hugs dear friend Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/29/2018 2:07:00 PM Thanks Eve, yes a pet is part of the Family . They bring so much comfort to you. You must never stop living Eve, Sonny would never have wanted that. Never easy I know but he lives on in your heart and fond memories. Tom

Roy Pett Date: 9/29/2018 5:51:00 AM Brilliant Tom, Old tige and distant drums were my favourite Jim Reeves songs, thanks for bringing memories back, going to listen to them now, well written a joy to read. :)) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/29/2018 8:40:00 AM Thank you Roy, hearing old tige gave me the inspiration, I had to do it. His songs were soothing to the ear. Tom

Joseph May Date: 9/28/2018 12:56:00 PM Old Tige leading the way..Nicely penned Tom.. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/28/2018 12:59:00 PM Thank you very much Joseph. Regards. Tom

Arthur Vaso Date: 9/28/2018 1:47:00 AM Wow, I really loved this, very powerful poetry!!!! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/28/2018 2:15:00 AM Thanks Arthur, glad you liked it. Tom

Gershon Wolf Date: 9/27/2018 8:04:00 PM Vintage Cunningham, I must say Happy Halloween, a month early. ~ Gershon Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/27/2018 8:26:00 PM Haha hadn't thought of Halloween, was just an idea that came to mind after hearing Jim Reeves song. Tom

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/27/2018 2:58:00 PM wow, what a great tale for halloween. Was it meant for that scary story contest? I mean, it was not so scary as much as mysterious ! a great tale. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/27/2018 3:17:00 PM Thanks Andrea, no , it wasn't for a contest. I was thinking of that Jim Reeves song 'old tige' and used that as an inspiration. I'm away at the moment so have only got my phone otherwise I would have put the utube song on. Tom

Winged Warrior Date: 9/27/2018 9:44:00 AM The residuals of the Spirit...even old Tige's...lovely write my friend...love & dogs...^WW^ Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/27/2018 9:55:00 AM Thank you W.W., Glad you liked it. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire Date: 9/26/2018 10:14:00 PM Great and powerful poem! Loved it! FAV Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 11:02:00 PM Thanks very much Timothy, happy you liked it. Tom

M. L. Kiser Date: 9/26/2018 9:41:00 PM I am old enough to recall hearing Jim Reeves sing. I'm glad he inspired such a powerful poem about a beloved pet who obviously loved and missed you, too. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 11:02:00 PM Thank you M.L. Happy you enjoyed it. Tom

Lindsay Laurie Date: 9/26/2018 7:28:00 PM G'day Tom … proof that your best mate does what he can to make sure you get home safe - sad poem with warm feelings Tom - Lindsay Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 11:01:00 PM Thanks Lindsay. Tom

Nette Onclaud Date: 9/26/2018 3:14:00 PM tige lives within you, tom...i am beguiled by your endearing work!.. huggs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 10:59:00 PM Thank you Nette. Tom

Anisha Dutta Date: 9/26/2018 9:55:00 AM Unique one. Really I liked it I have experience how human souls can interact. It may happen with dog also. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 10:05:00 AM Thank you Anisha, I'm sure a bond forms between humans and animals. Tom

Heidi Sands Date: 9/26/2018 8:52:00 AM Wow I enjoyed this. and interesting when I say God, my dog will look at me :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 8:56:00 AM Thank you very much Heidi, glad you liked it. Tom

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/26/2018 8:21:00 AM Tom, that is so well crafted! Excellent job my friend. Touching, hair raising, wonderful poem. xomo Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 8:23:00 AM Thank you Maureen, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Janice Canerdy Date: 9/26/2018 8:15:00 AM I really LOVE this, Tom. Jim Reeves--one of the good ones! Janice Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 8:19:00 AM Thanks Janice, yes indeed he was. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Tom

Line Gauthier Date: 9/26/2018 7:16:00 AM Very touching, Tom. Love it. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 7:58:00 AM Thank you very much Line, happy you liked it. Tom

Caren Krutsinger Date: 9/26/2018 7:04:00 AM This is a powerful write that shows the connection between man and dog. There is no accident that God and dog have the same letters, Tom. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 7:57:00 AM Thanks Caren, they don't critisise you or put you down, always loyal and faithful. Tom

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/26/2018 6:54:00 AM How touching is this write! Depicted with loving memories..dogs have special powers..they look out for you always. I really liked your poem, Tom. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 7:55:00 AM Thank you Vijay. It's often said a dog is a mans best friend, how true that is. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 9/26/2018 6:13:00 AM Intriguing metaphysical poem my friend, Tom! So well written! Loved it! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/26/2018 8:00:00 AM Thank you very much Demetrios, I'm glad you liked it. They are such loyal animals without a doubt. Tom