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atkinson
10-24-2007, 09:11 AM
A Pound of Bacon
By John Atkinson
©2007

Angled rays of
October sun
Lit the day
With uncommon warmth

The feel of summer’s
Vitality was in the air
Though the trees on the ridges
Were already clean.

Many months ago, after we knew
What it was, I asked him
To tell me When
Now, he said.

So we went and visited
A favorite hill-side, running,
Jumping, playing in the mud
And climbing rocks.

Then we cooked
A pound of bacon
And ate it like
There was no tomorrow.

We threw caution
To the wind
Who cares about cholesterol
Too much sodium or nitrates.

Outside on a blanket
Under the trees
A sharp bittersweet bite
Washed with tears.

A gust flew up and scattered
His spirit leaves
Still glowing brightly
With autumnal brilliance.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/gustastystowe.jpg
Here's to Gus, the best ski dog ever.

Lostone
10-24-2007, 09:20 AM
Beautiful... but I hurt for the loss of your friend.

noski
10-24-2007, 10:09 AM
What a gift was Gus to you- and you have written beautiful tribute to him. Nice.

ski_resort_observer
10-24-2007, 10:46 AM
Sweet prose to a sweet dog.....thanks for sharing :D

skiladi
10-24-2007, 12:52 PM
John , I'm so sorry. You mentioned Gus having problems when I posted about Althea in April. I'm just glad he had a buddy like you and lived the life of a real dog, hiking and playing in the snow! Your poem was lovely. I'm cherishing every moment with Althea , though her hiking days are over. I wonder when she will tell me , now.
; {

daevious
10-24-2007, 01:18 PM
John,
Deeply sorry about Gus. I know how hard it is to lose such a close companion, and I know it's not made much easier by being expected.

So long, Gus. Glad to have known you.
-dvs

jkvt
10-24-2007, 01:36 PM
Very sorry for your loss.

A nice farewell to a good friend.

jkvt

HowieT2
10-24-2007, 01:44 PM
John-Deepest condolences. Nice poem. Sorry about your loss.

gratefulskier
10-24-2007, 03:20 PM
John,

Sorry to hear about Gus. From your writing, I know you've spent a lot of great time with him and that you'll miss him greatly.


GS

BushMogulMaster
10-24-2007, 09:42 PM
A very touching tribute to an obviously wonderful companion. Sorry to hear about your loss, but it sounds like Gus lived as happy a life as a dog could, and you enjoyed every minute of it.

Strat
10-25-2007, 06:39 AM
Sorry to hear about Gus, John. May his spirit always run through our woods and our hearts.

Yard Sale
10-25-2007, 11:04 AM
John-

Please accept my heart felt sympathies for your loss. It sounds like you both enjoyed a grea friendship.

A dog's love is unconditional barring one.

smootharc
10-25-2007, 02:41 PM
Everyone talks about how dogs are "man's best friend". Sounds like Gus was lucky enough to get an owner who was "dog's best friend".

I'm sure he's up there romping in the fresh pow with Zudnick.

atkinson
10-26-2007, 12:42 PM
Thank you everyone. I appreciate your thoughts.

And just to make sure that you don't think that I am wallowing in sadness, here a few of fun shots to celebrate a great dog.

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/gusmansfield.jpg
Looking tough on Mount Mansfield, early February 2007

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/gussnow2.jpg
Joy in motion. Gus loved to help with the shoveling. "It's like non-stop faceshots!" April 2007

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/mikegus050107sm1.jpg
Lincoln Peak, climb up for sunset, then twilight top-to-bottom skiing, May 1st, 2007

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/riverdogs1.jpg
River tug-of-war, August 29th, 2007

John

Sugaree
10-28-2007, 09:20 PM
“The Power of the Dog”
-Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart for a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie-
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find-it’s your own affair-
But…you’ve given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone-wherever it goes-for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ‘em, the more do we grieve.

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long-
So why in-Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts for a dog to tear?

jwt
10-29-2007, 10:56 AM
Hey John,

Nice to see how much you both enjoyed life together. I am one to believe 'all dogs go to heaven'.

My favorite bumper sticker is kind of how I imagine Jesus seeing me: " I wish I was the person my dog thinks I am."

Your memories of him is something death can't take away.

He leaves you those to chew on anytime you like.