A Gift

to those of us who have loved and lost a beloved pet.  I wrote this when my neighbor lost her beloved dog some years back.  It's been quoted other places, and you are welcome to copy and reprint with acknowledgement.

Pawprints in the Summerland

There are pawprints in the Summerland

For I have seen them there.

They flirt in the shadows along

Tumbling, laughing streams.

They pace majestically over

The Bones of the Mother

Thrust through the Earth

On mountain tops...

They flow gently through

Meadows filled with flowers

Or gambol beneath willows,

Dancing among the red-capped mushrooms

of Faery Rings lit by the full moon...

So often the footprints of children

Run beside them, these pawprints,

And the somehow slow footprints of the elders...

They keep company with our furred ones,

Our feathered ones,

And yes, even our scaled ones

Who shared our homes and share our hearts even yet.

Sometimes those prints turn back,

Back towards the Bridge

For they are mindful of us,

And await our coming

For us to add our prints

In joyous reunion.

There are pawprints in the Summerland

For I have SEEN them there.

R. Surette

C. 1990

Bless you all, and may each of you be comforted.

That is so sweet.It makes me think of my dog Goldie who I had for over 13 years and recently lost. She was my best friend and I miss her dearly [emoji]128557[/emoji]

Thank you so much for sharing, what a beautiful tribute to our faithful companions!

How beautiful!  What a kind and thoughtful gift for your neighbor.  Thank you for sharing.