A Watch to Keep

    One week shy of the two year anniversary of Tracy’s death, we had to put down his much loved Malamute, a gentle giant named Baldr. We had been taking him to the vet for two weeks for what looked like a sore on his tail, then a bladder infection, but we could tell by the look in Baldr’s eyes there was something more. The something more turned out to be cancer in his lymph nodes, a perforated intestine and infection throughout his abdomen. The doctor gave him a pain shot so we could bring him home that night for goodbyes, ours and others.

    The next day he was clearly suffering and the 1 p.m. vet appointment could not come fast enough. But while we were waiting, I coped as I always do, by writing a poem. When the feelings are deep, I have to write rhymed verse. It is the only way the words will come out of my brain. The only form that does justice to the pain. After our son’s death, his big dog became a huge source of comfort for us, a living link to Tracy that we could still see and touch. He rests now in our daughter’s pasture, right next to Odin, Tracy’s other much loved dog, a Husky mix, who died two years before Tracy did.

 

A Watch to Keep

We have a watch to keep today

with you, our dying friend,

 who shared our lives for these 8 years.

 We'll stay close by until the end.

 Until you fall asleep,

 we have a watch to keep.

Your memories live within my phone

from puppyhood to fully grown.

 The days when Odin led the pack,

 and Tracy held you in his lap.

 Both of them are resting deep

 and now, we have your watch to keep.

We will not let you suffer, friend,

your life is clearly at its end.

 The comfort in the company of

 the gentle giant Tracy loved,

 is very hard to put to sleep.

 Still, we have a watch to keep.

For Tracy, most of all, would want

 you safe, and loved, and free of pain.

 Perhaps, somehow, with you again,

 if only that you're both at peace.

 Till then, we have a watch to keep.

 We have a watch to keep.

 

For Baldr 2015-2024

                                               

                                               

3/15/2024