Ode to Rowdie Jane - pipTalk Forums

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traveling heart
Junior Member

since 2000-05-27

Posts 26

0 posted 2000-05-29 07:59 AM

At one time
I was a cat fancier
And a fiance
And at that time
I didn't have a minute
To become a devoted momma
To a puppy dog in torment

But my cousin begged me,
"Please, She is being abused!"
So under cover of darkness we took her
From a home that made her confused
About people and their nature
So that she could be nurtured
Away from starvation and
Cruel emotional butchers

Time went on, she had a cat sibling
And they got along famously
Playing a cat & dog game of "Get the kitty"
Rowdie would corner Precious under a couch
She'd chase her and play with her
All over our house

She would sit on my lap
All fifty-five pounds
And on her back she'd be my log
for strumming on her tummy
Until the tail wagged that dog

One day my marriage ended and I moved away
The momma part of me died on that day
Not for the spouse, nor the house
but for my Rowdie & Precious that I had to give away

But my neighbors called
They made no excuse
For an ex-husband who for some time
Had begun to abuse
I could not believe
nor conceive
How he could do this
For Rowdie was the sweetest gift
She would no longer be his

I fought in court to get them both back
I would give her the love
That with him she lacked
The courts sided with me that day
And for 10 more months we had
300 more days of play

But time ticked on
And her health became poor
The vet shook his head
He said she could carry on no more

Somehow she had convinced herself
in her mind
That her body although failing
Could carry on with me just fine

Her kidneys had failed
There was nothing more to be done
Except to leave that vets office
For one last day of fun

She was too weak to eat
But after a little rest
She and I took a last treat
We did our best

A trip to her park
For one final swim
She weakly ran for that pond and
she jumped right in

Paddling and showing me her final strength
I had to hold back
Tears as
She fought to not sink
I went in and I carried her out
and in my arms she slipped away
Her eyes loving me with no doubt...

She went to wherever it is Border Collies go
and as I choked back tears
I let her know
That she changed my life
and over the years
I would try to rise
above my anger
despite her demise

She was the best thing
That could happen to a girl
That initially had
Not a minute for her

*Note: Rowdie was my first and only dog, and she gave me so many gifts in her 6 years of life. Her kidney failure was a result of malnourishment at the beginning of her life and again at the hands of my ex-husband. This world needs fewer cruel people. I still miss her so much... If you have a dog please pet them today and be grateful for their sweetness and unconditional love... Precious thrives today with her feline sibling Otis... TH

sgreybe
Member

since 2000-04-28

Posts 209
London, UK

1 posted 2000-05-29 09:32 AM

Dear Traveling Heart

This poem has so much depth, so much unabashed feeling that it drove me to tears. I am mostly a cat-lover myself, but any animal actually, and all animals deserve only love and support.

Thank you for people like you, I agree the world could do without the other kind.

This is precious.

Sylvia

SpitFire
Member Elite

since 2000-04-19

Posts 2396

2 posted 2000-05-29 11:35 AM

~Wow,...what a touching piece. *Sigh*,..it really got to me. I have seen this sort of thing happen,...much too close to home. I grew up with animals and have witnessed things I'd rather not talk about. Your poem has hit a spot in me that is bringing back so many memories. Thank you for sharing this and may Rowdie rest in peace. *Take care.

Swåmp¤Faerÿie
Member

since 2000-03-29

Posts 358
Illinois

3 posted 2000-05-29 11:03 PM

I don't know about the rest of you......but i cried....LOL....a short time ago my dog which i've had for 3 years died....she was my best friend for so long,i miss her so much. This is a beautiful poem and a great tribute to Rowdie =]

swamp

And there she weaves by night and day,
a magic web of colours gay.~Tennyson

Isis
Member Ascendant

since 1999-09-06

Posts 6296
Sunny Queensland

4 posted 2000-05-30 12:09 PM

My God this was a sad one, i really bawled with this!!! I don't care what anyone says I believe the dog can be your best friend in ways others sometimes don't understand. I often worry briefly if I divorced what would happen to my two beloved kitty's.
I am so glad you made this dog's life heaven for a few years...
Bless your heart hon *hugs*

I'll tell you this...... No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.....
~Isis~
(Goddess - Sovereign of the Spirit)

Isis
Member Ascendant

since 1999-09-06

Posts 6296
Sunny Queensland

5 posted 2000-05-30 12:11 PM

P.S. I forgot to add I am also glad she died in your arms, no better way to go than being safe in the arms of one you love. I wish my two dogs could've done the same!!
Isis

I'll tell you this...... No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.....
~Isis~
(Goddess - Sovereign of the Spirit)

traveling heart
Junior Member

since 2000-05-27

Posts 26

6 posted 2000-05-31 08:09 PM

Thank you everyone for all the nice things you have had to say.

My "Rowdie-girl" meant so very much to me, somedays when I think of her I try and focus more on her happy days than her sad, but this was a terrific release.

Thanks again too, for making me feel so welcome here, as a fledgling poet it is appreciated so much!!

TH

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