Fidelity

There's a certain kind of friendship

That is difficult to beat.

And very rare to find

In people that we meet.

 

Yet every dog that ever lived

Has this gift to bestow-

A loyal, firm devotion

As so many of us know.

 

Though people judge you by your looks,

Your cash, your job, your car,

A dog is so much wiser-

She accepts you as you are.

 

You can be a saint or sinner,

Down-and-out or millionaire,

She'll not ask to see your pedigree

Just as long as you are there.

 

While those around are planning

All their trips to Greece or Spain,

With her you'll find adventure

In a romp along the lane.

 

Her days are full of pleasure

Yet her needs are very few,

A pat, a meal, a cushion,

A ball to fetch for you.

 

If others seem to shun you,

Maybe think you're just a bore,

She lets you keep on talking,

Though she's heard it all before.

 

As she settles close beside you

With her head upon your knee,

There's no place in all the world

That she would rather be.

 

When many may be missing

In your hour of need and strife,

There's one who's always ready

To defend you with her life.

 

No matter whether right or wrong

She'll never criticise,

But show her trusting confidence

In clear adoring eyes.

 

And when her life is ending

From the signs that you can tell,

That joy has turned to misery

And she never will get well.

 

And the tail that wagged in ecstasy

To greet you at the door,

Is hanging low, and honest eyes

Are sad and shine no more.

 

It will break your heart to do it

For you know you'll miss her so,

But when active life is over

Then it's kinder to let go.

 

Just to make her ending easy

Is the last thing you can give,

And let her die with dignity

The way you let her live.

 

(Author unknown)