Lend Me a Pup

 

I will lend to you for awhile, a German Shepherd pup, God said,

For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three

But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me.

 

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief

You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return

But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

 

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true

And from the folk that crowd's life's land I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to take my Shepherd back again.

 

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"

For all the joys this Shepherd will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness we'll love him while we may

And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

 

But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve

In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve,

When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,

The Spirit of a German Shepherd Dog

 

I was standing on a hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And the spirit of a German Shepherd

Was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes

An ancient wisdom shining through

And in the essence of his being

I saw love there too.

 

His mind did lock upon my heart

As I stood there on that day

And he told me of this story

About a place so far away.

 

I stood upon that hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And in a twinkling of a second

His spirit left my feet.

 

His tale did put my heart at ease

My fears did fade away

About what lay ahead of me

On another distant day.

 

"I live among God's creatures now

In the heavens of your mind

So do not grieve for me, my friend

As I am with my kind.

 

My collar is a rainbow's hue

My leash a shooting star

My boundaries are the Milky Way

Where I sparkle from afar.

 

There are no pens or kennels here

For I am not confined

But free to roam God's heavens

Among my Shepherd kind.

 

I nap the day on a snowy cloud

Gentle breezes rocking me

And dream the dreams of earthlings

And how it used to be.

 

The trees are full of liver treats

And tennis balls abound

And Milkbones line the walkways

Just waiting to be found.

 

There even is a ring set up

The grass all lush and green

And everyone who gaits around

Becomes the Best of Breed.

 

For we're all winners in this place

We have no faults, you see

And God passes out those ribbons

To each one, even me.

 

I drink from waters laced with gold

My world a beauty to behold

And wise old dogs do form my pride

To amble at my very side.

 

At night I sleep in an angel's arms

Her wings protecting me

And moonbeams dance about us

As stardust falls on thee.

 

So when your life on earth is spent

And you stand at Heaven's gate

Have no fear of loneliness

For here, you know I wait."