Ozzie Our Spaniel

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The 28th of April; I'll always remember that day
It was very overcast and the sky was quite grey
That short journey to the vet I will never forget 
And when I think back to that day, I have no regret.

He was such a welcome member of our family
A playful cocker spaniel and we named him Ozzie 
He loved to go for long walks out in the country
When he saw us with his lead, he'd go off in a frenzy. 

I thought he'd take off when he started wagging his tail
The weather didn't faze him, be it ice snow or hail
I would mumble about the weather under my breath 
But he was loving every minute although soaking wet. 

We'd get back from our walk and I'd rub him down 
You could see the joy in his face and never a frown 
Then after his dinner he'd lie down for a long snooze 
Out of all the dogs in the world every time him I'd choose. 

He was eleven years old when he started to fade
I lost count of the many visits to the vets we made
We must have given him every medicine and pill
But we knew in our hearts that Ozzie was quite ill. 

0ur family got together to discuss what was for the best 
Reluctantly we all agreed that we should put Ozzie to rest
That terrible morning arrived, it was just another day
All he could do was sleep, he was just too ill to play. 

My wife came home from work and I carried him to the car
Then drove slowly down to the vets, it wasn't too far
We went inside and sat down and no words were said
And I tried not to think that soon Ozzie would be dead. 

It seemed like a life time then a nurse called us in
I carried him to a side room; the vet was waiting 
The vet reassured us that he wouldn't feel a thing
We were both biting our lips to stop us from crying. 

We'd brought his favourite biscuits and fed him one by one 
And just a few minutes later our playful Ozzie was gone 
We stayed with him for a while and then left him there
I know now it was for the best because we did care. 

We got home it felt empty no one to greet us at the door 
And I missed seeing him where he'd often lie on the floor 
Its been three long years now but I'll never forget 
That Ozzie was one of the family and not just a pet.


(Ozzie left us on the 28th April 2017) 


Written 8th August 2020




For All Pets Go To Heaven Poetry Contest 

Sponsored By Constance La France

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 3/13/2021 8:08:00 PM
Tom, Hardest of dutiful dedications. I loved each and every word all over again, for your Spaniel member of the family. I too know that missing sound upon returning to what now, was a little less home. RIP Ozzie -Richard
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/14/2021 5:58:00 AM
Thank you very much for your return visit Richard, we certainly miss the pitter patter as he walked around the house,its so quiet without him. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Tom
Date: 10/22/2020 8:59:00 AM
So sorry for your loss. Very nice tribute to Ozzie.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/22/2020 9:36:00 AM
Thank you very much J. S. Been three years and he's still missed. Tom
Date: 10/10/2020 4:05:00 PM
Congratulations Tom: I felt very emotional reading ths one. We have had two emergency trips to the vet in two days. Puzzle is when we get there he seems fine again. We ae very attached to him so keeping a close eye on his situation. Enjoy the spotlight.Best, SuZ
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/11/2020 12:40:00 AM
Thank you very much Suze, you'd do anything for them, they are part of the family I hope Puzzle makes a good recovery. Tom
Date: 10/8/2020 8:32:00 AM
A lovely tribute to Ozzie, such a lovely poem, I really enjoyed reading it. I dread this day, I have two dogs, very much part of the family. Congratulations on your placement.:-)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2020 9:20:00 AM
Thank you very much Joanna, you always put it to the back of your mind and even when it happens it's still a shock. Tom
Date: 10/7/2020 9:15:00 PM
Back with congratulations for this heartbreaking poem - a tribute to your special friend. Over Fork Over.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2020 12:35:00 AM
Thank you very much Sam, only yesterday we were at my sister in laws and yes they have got a spaniel puppy. It brought it all back. Hope you're well, thanks again, much appreciated. Tom
Date: 10/7/2020 9:14:00 PM
Great write , Tom, for Linda's contest. Congratulations on your win.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2020 12:31:00 AM
Thank you very much Eve, hope all is well with you. Tom
Date: 10/7/2020 8:04:00 PM
Tom, coming back to congratulate you again for this excellent and moving write. ~ John
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/8/2020 12:31:00 AM
Thank you very much John, I must admit I can't write emotional poems but I just told how it was but it seems many have been down that road and it struck a chord with many Thanks again John, much appreciated. Hope alls well. Tom
Date: 9/24/2020 2:31:00 AM
I cried reading this, I lost one of my dogs a few years back too and is still raw to this day : ( Congratulations on your win Tom....Emilia.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/24/2020 2:49:00 AM
Thank you very much Emelia, it was dark time in our lives and like you its still raw, you cant help but get attached to them and they become one of the family. Hope you're okay. Heading home in a bit, coats at the ready lol. Tom
Date: 8/31/2020 10:04:00 AM
Tom, congratulations on your win in my All Pets Go To Heaven, with this emotional write, I wept the first time I read your poem and now again, it truly touches my heart, the love drips from each word, a FAV for me _Constance
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/31/2020 12:38:00 PM
Thank you very much Constance for my placement and fave. It was a very heartbreaking time for us and you wonder did you do the right thing but looking back I know that we did. Thank you too for hosting, there were excellent entries for the contest. Even three years on we still miss him because he was indeed a member of the family. Tom
Date: 8/25/2020 12:15:00 AM
What a wonderful tribute to your beloved Ozzie. It is a blessing to share our lives with a loyal and loving friend. My wish would be that there would be many more years to share before we had to say goodbye. Congratulations for POTD, Tom and number 1 spot at top of this list.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/25/2020 12:38:00 AM
Thank you very much Sandra on both counts, compared to us their lives are much shorter but we give them good lives whilst there here but its heartbreaking when they go, hope you are well. Tom
Date: 8/24/2020 8:46:00 PM
Another well earned honor for this touching account of a dear friend. Bravo, Tom
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/25/2020 12:36:00 AM
Thank you very much John, your third visit is very much appreciated. Tom
Date: 8/24/2020 3:52:00 PM
Back to say congratulations on your win, Tom. This is such a tender remembrance of Ozzie. So glad to see it place so high on the winners list. Over Fork Over.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/25/2020 12:35:00 AM
Thank you very much Sam, I know many could identify with those heartbreaking moments you go through when your pets life is at an end. Tom
Date: 8/24/2020 9:13:00 AM
Very moving Tom. It's so difficult to lose a companion. Stay strong. Congratulations for top of Best :)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/24/2020 10:07:00 AM
Thank you very much Linda, I'm pleased you liked it, I must admit it was a nice surprise. Tom
Date: 8/23/2020 11:06:00 AM
Congratulations on having this wonderful moving poem at the top of the best new poems list Tom. You already know how much I identify with it. Blessings xxoo
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/23/2020 12:19:00 PM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Connie very much appreciated, I hope you are well. Tom
Date: 8/23/2020 7:57:00 AM
Forgot to tell you , that I was happy for you, seeing you at top of the Best. You more than deserve it, Tom, Congratulations xxx Pangie
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/23/2020 8:01:00 AM
Thank you again Panagiota, your return visit is very much appreciated. Tom
Date: 8/22/2020 4:20:00 PM
Tom, glad to see you and Ozzie made it to the top of Best New Poem list. You really pulled the heartstrings with this write; you deserve #1 ranking. ~ John
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John Watt
Date: 8/23/2020 10:08:00 PM
I celebrate your first time at #1 new poem, Tom. Like Pangie said, you more than deserve it. ~ John
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/23/2020 12:21:00 AM
Thank you very much John, it was a lovely surprise, been here three years and its the first time hitting the top spot. Enjoy your weekend Tom
Date: 8/20/2020 6:31:00 PM
Heartbreaking. A deep hollow feeling that one cannot touch, Tom
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/21/2020 12:52:00 AM
Thank you very much Robert, it was a very sad time without a doubt but when you look back you realise it was the right thing to do. Welcome to poetry soup. Tom
Date: 8/18/2020 6:36:00 PM
Congratulations on POTD, Tom!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/18/2020 11:48:00 PM
Thank you very much Kim Tom
Date: 8/16/2020 12:38:00 PM
A lovely but sad piece Tom, we really get attached to our pets and must be season for penning our pets passed away. Yours must be 3rd such piece tonight. Take care and keep safe, Blessings always,Gordon
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/16/2020 1:45:00 PM
Thank you Gordon, its for the pets gone to heaven contest. It's heartbreaking when they go. Just had a week in Devon with my wife and two grandsons, weather was great. Hope you're well. Tom
Date: 8/15/2020 4:16:00 PM
Hello Tom ... wonderful tribute Mate. We had to put a faithful dog down and it truly broke our hearts. One time we had a cocker who died under our house at 14 years. Never thought I could ever a dog again - thank you Tom; truly touching - Lindsay
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/16/2020 1:35:00 AM
Thank you Lindsay, its certainly a heartbreaking experience and to have to make that decision to end their suffering really knocks you for six, Hope you're well Tom
Date: 8/14/2020 7:17:00 AM
Heart-breaking ....touching lines Tom sir. You must be missing Ozzie everyday... Once we take care of pets..they become one among us.Faithful creatures. Wonderfully penned.:-) Have a lovely day.Take care.:-)Warm regards sent to you ..
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/14/2020 8:26:00 AM
Thank you very much Deepa, he left a big hole in our lives when we lost him, it was a heartbreaking decision to make, to end his suffering. Hope you're well, I hope you too have a nice day. Tom
Date: 8/13/2020 8:00:00 PM
Oh, What can i say Tom, below the comments so many and true. Only the way you have made one feel, when read, even the emptiness leaves a void in one's heart..In its way the poem is beautiful, truly is....Fav
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/13/2020 11:55:00 PM
Thank you very much Harry, I know this verse speaks for many who have also lost a pet that was part of the family, and when you get home after that last visit to the vet and the house is so quiet. But for all the years he was with us and the good life he had makes it worthwhile in some way, thanks too for the fave. Hope you're well. Tom
Date: 8/13/2020 6:13:00 AM
This is such a sad story so beautifully told! We have suffered the same with our cat! Feel every pain you are sharing here, Tom! Congrats on creating such a wonderful memory of a dear dog that has ben recognised with a POTD for you! These pets are so much part of our family!!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/13/2020 6:56:00 AM
Thank you very much Krish, they certainly are, they leave such a void when they go. That last journey to the vet is so heartbreaking. Tom
Date: 8/12/2020 10:17:00 AM
Tom, this is written extremely well. You allow us to share your love for Ozzie and he certainly seemed like the perfect pet. So sorry you lost him this way. I know it's hard but as you say, it was for the best. Congratulations on your POTD. I'm sure Constance will appreciate the strong emotion that runs throughout this poem!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/13/2020 12:57:00 AM
Thank you very much Carolyn, it was a heartbreaking decision to make but we knew deep down it was the kindest thing to do for him, you wonder at the time did you do the right thing but looking back I know it was. Thanks too for faving it. Tom
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 8/12/2020 10:18:00 AM
fave
Date: 8/12/2020 4:00:00 AM
Ohhh Tom this is such a wonderful story and tribute to your beloved dog Ozzie. Dogs give us unconditional love and can certainly teach us humans a thing or two. There is nothing more welcoming than the welcome you get from your dog on returning home. I so miss having a dog, but not a good idea now with my health probs... Many belated congrats my friend for your POTD with kindest thoughts Ann xx
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/12/2020 4:23:00 AM
Thank you very much Ann and greetings from Woolacombe bay, here with my wife and grandsons. Twice we've been down that road now, it's so heartbreaking for all the family when they get ill, in the end ending their pain and misery is the only way. Hope you're well Tom
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