Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field's poem "The Dog Sitters" delves into the emotional challenges faced by those who step in to care for pets while their owners are away. The poem explores themes of loyalty, attachment, and the irreplaceable nature of love. Through poignant imagery and heartfelt reflection, Field paints a vivid picture of the complexities of caring for animals who are deeply bonded to their owners.

Summary and Analysis:

The poem opens with a description of the "old friends" who have entrusted their dogs to the care of the speaker and his companion. They tried their best to care for the dogs: "We petted them, talked to them, even slept with them, / and followed all your instructions / about feeding and care." Despite their efforts, the dogs remain "inconsolable," longing for their absent owners. The speaker notes that they were "poor substitutes, / almost worse than nothing."

As the days go by, the dogs' health deteriorates: "the longer you were gone / the more they pined for you." They fall ill with "fever, diarrhoea and despair," moving restlessly on the bed the speaker and his companion share. The dog sitters wake up at dawn to walk the dogs but find "a mess already on the rug." They call the vet and coax the dogs to eat while trying to distract them from the sadness that pervades their eyes.

The dogs' sadness is vividly depicted: "every time they lay down with their chins in their paws / in utter hopelessness." The puppy becomes "manic, biting our hands." This behavior reflects the intensity of their attachment to their owners and the emotional turmoil caused by their absence.

The speaker describes the ten days spent in the house by the bay as a "nightmare," trying to keep the dogs alive. The dogs are "afraid to go anywhere with us, for fear / you would never come back." The uncertainty of the owners' return leaves the dogs in a constant state of anxiety.

When the owners finally return, the dogs immediately turn away from the sitters and back to their beloved humans: "they turned away from us to you / and barely looked at us again, even when we left." The owners' return fills "the terrible empty / space that only you could fill," dismissing the dog sitters' desperate attempts to provide comfort.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the nature of love and attachment: "when someone belongs so utterly to someone else, / stay out of it—that kind of love is a steamroller / and if you get in the way, even to help, / you can only get flattened." Here, Field acknowledges the overwhelming power of loyalty and love, emphasizing that some bonds cannot be replaced or replicated.

Themes and Interpretation:

1. Loyalty and Attachment: The poem explores the deep loyalty and attachment that pets have to their owners, highlighting the emotional turmoil they experience in their absence.

2. Irreplaceable Love: The poem emphasizes that the love between the dogs and their owners is irreplaceable. The dog sitters' efforts are well-meaning but ultimately insufficient because they cannot replicate the unique bond the dogs share with their owners.

3. Powerlessness and Acceptance: The dog sitters realize that they can only do so much to alleviate the dogs' suffering. Their attempts are "dismissed without a thought" once the owners return, underscoring their powerlessness in the face of such deep attachment.

4. The Steamroller of Love: The metaphor of love as a "steamroller" illustrates the overwhelming force of loyalty and attachment. The poem suggests that it's best to accept such bonds and not try to replace them, as doing so can lead to emotional pain.

Structure and Tone:

The poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to adopt a conversational and reflective tone. The language is straightforward yet poignant, emphasizing the sincerity of the dog sitters' efforts and the emotional weight of their experience.

Conclusion:

"The Dog Sitters" by Edward Field is a touching exploration of loyalty, attachment, and the irreplaceable nature of love. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection, Field captures the emotional challenges of caring for animals deeply bonded to their owners. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the acceptance of one's limitations in replacing irreplaceable bonds.

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