WHY WE KEEP PETS

IN MEMORY OF MOLLY. Diana's little dog Molly died recently after a long and happy life. She was part of my life for 10 years and I unashamedly say I loved her. Her passing moved me to reflection and poetry. Am I the first to notice this about them? (here's the short version)

WHY WE KEEP PETS---In memory of Molly

When people explain the why of their pets,
They tell only half what’s true;
They say they keep them for the love
That pets bestow on you.

I say they understate their case:
Yes, pets give love; but heed:
That’s only half the good they do;
They meet a deeper need.

The other half is that our pets
In giving love---(and we need love to live)
Curiously draw out of us
The love we need to give

Everyone needs to give love away
Else it jams up in our craw,
Stuck and frozen like an arctic river
In need of a springtime thaw.

That is what our pets do well:
Like a warming sun for the soul,
Thawing out our blockages
To let sweet waters roll

Whatever ails any of us
Amounts to stoppage of the flow,
Of taking love in and giving it out.
Love is energy, you know.

We , in essence are love machines;
Thus pet owners may be smarter
For carrying around from town to town
Their very own love kick-starter.

Haven’t you seen some brute of a guy
Turned mushy by an itty bitty dog
Pent-up love comes oozing out
Like a drain that’s come unclogged.

Sometimes, just for fun, I ask: how much
For the dog—with leash and collar?
The price they quote is never ever
Less than a million dollars.

Thus pets train and unstop us;
Give practice in the arts
of reaching out more fearlessly
To other human hearts.

Like the Grinch after that Christmas thing;
Like Scrooge after ghost number three;
Pet owners are more likely than not
Better than they used to be.

These love roto–rooters are all round camp.
Happily doing their jobs:
There’s Angel, Shasta, Cody and Pebble,
Rocky, Little Bit and Mister Hobbs.

Thanks to all you WINs with furry friends
For sharing them----and I say Let's--
Set free that undefensive love
So visible in your pets.

Written 12/24-26/09 Yuma Az.