There is a friendship that exists between So-called dumb animals; we often find Them sorrowing with a grief that is as keen And deeply felt as those of humankind. For many times this has been plainly shown To me, and yet more clearly when I read The story of a dog who kept alone, A vigil when his mongrel pal lay dead. Just how his pal met death I never knew -- I know he kept a lonely watch all day, Through bitter cold, and not until he grew Exhausted, would he let friends take away The comrade he had known in happy hours; No human could have shown more faithfulness; He could not tell his grief with words or flowers, But only with a puzzled, mute distress. And when kind ones returned who bore away His lifeless friend, no watcher was in sight. . . . But travelers through a neighboring field, they say, Had seen a lonely dog pass by that night. |