The stages of love

When you were a puppy you cried at night,

signs of hunger, and a yearning to be touched.

You disturbed my sleep. But you were a puppy.

 

And I forgave you.

 

Sometimes I would roll over and go back to sleep,

making you wait. I would turn on the fan to drown

out your tiny squeals. But you knew I was human.

 

And you forgave me.

 

As you grew you went through the stages of puppy-

hood, the chewing, the mischief, the destruction of

so many pairs of shoes. But you were a young dog.

 

And I forgave you.

 

I would scold you ever so gently for your barking,

and the extra time I spent sweeping dirt from clean

floors, a result of flowerpots, which met their fate

at your tail. But you knew I was human.

 

And you forgave me.

 

You are now in the senior stage of life. And so am I.

We continue to forgive each other, to love and learn.

And I know the day will come when we will no longer

be together.

 

And I will forgive you.

 

Not because you are only a dog, but because you

were my dog, and I love you enough to know you

have no choice.

 

You will forgive me my tears, my sorrow.

 

Not because I am only human, but because I was

your human. And we will meet at the Rainbow Bridge

where once again we will be as we are now, bound

by a love that only few have known.

 

(Author unknown)