How many years did you spend in darkness, wondering why, what crime

You committed, what sin from past lives had earned you all this time

In a four by four cell? Day after long day, you accepted

Dirty water, poor food, harsh words, a blow. All you expected

Was more of the same.

What did you think, not seeing but hearing the noises they made,

The angels that descended to save you? Were  you not afraid

When the old doors swung open, letting in a breath of sweet fresh air

And you saw them, silhouettes in the sunshine? Did you care

When they saw your shame?

You were skin and bone, your teeth rotten, your skin coated in muck,

Standing to your ankles in your own waste. They stood horrorstruck

At your miserable conditions. And then, they took you away

From the darkness, the smells, your corner of hell. They said we may

Save this poor old one.

Fifty-two were taken and many didn’t survive but you did.

You were old but strong of heart, still gentle, a wonder amid

The cruelty and neglect. You knew good food, kindness, and care

For your wounds. Each day, I took you out for exercise and air

And you slowly healed.

Your safe haven was a paradise for you and the others,

And other angels came to adopt your sisters and brothers.

The young ones went first, then the rest, until one day you, only you

Remained. Old ones cannot adapt, they said -- how sad, how untrue!

To God I appealed,

Please send an angel for him, one to love this gentle old soul,

One with a generous heart, selfless, giving, kind and behold,

My prayer was answered. Your angel appeared and gave you her heart,

And you gave her yours. She knew the time together would be short,

But she didn’t care.

What were you thinking in these past few years, sleeping on your bed,

Eating well, clean and bathed, a gentle warm hand stroking your head?

Did you think back to the darkness, the despair, all you withstood

Or simply accept, now you lived as God intended you should --

With simple love to share.

Your time ran out today, my boy. Old age had finally won.

Your strength was spent, your frailty clear, you simply couldn’t go on.

Your sweet angel called on God and me to help her find the strength

And with tear-streaked face, she asked the vet to help you meet your end.

You were much beloved.

For Dorian, true-heart, friend and good dog, may you rest in peace.

And for Sharon, his angel, may you find solace in your grief,

For you gave respite, care and love to a creature much abused.

Remember him, you shared his life and I know it is the truth,

You were much beloved.

A few years ago, I was called on as the national co-ordinator for Mastiff Rescue to arrange rescue accomodations for a large group of mastifs found living in the foulest, most deplorable conditions. Our club, The Canadian Mastiff Club, took some, and the U.S. Mastiff Rescue groups, the others. There were so many, and their medical needs overwhelming. It was an international effort.

Seventeen of these poor dogs enjoyed the hospitality of my kennel facilities. The local paper ran a full page story on their plight and local residents jumped in and helped out. To the town of Strathmore, thank you. Your generosity was overwhelming.

Dorian was one of those mastiffs, already an old dog when he was rescued. He lived with me for some time, because no one wanted to take an old dog, and he was content just hanging around my kennel, but withdrawn and aloof. He needed and deserved so much more.

One day, a very kind woman, possessed of a giving heart and a gentle soul gave Dorian a home, where he was loved, pampered and cared for for the last few years of his life. Then he bloomed and his loving devoted mastiff personality finally had a chance to exhibit itself.

Today, Sharon, his angel, called me in tears. Dorian, fading for some time now, no longer had the strength to move himself and in spite of his still strong heart, he was humanely euthanised by the veterinarian he'd come to know and trust. Both Sharon and I were with him at the end. He went peacefully into that long night. I've had to do this a number of times now, but it's never easy. I always have the feeling they know what we're doing to them, but they forgive us for it, trusting to the end.  In Dorian's case, I think he was happy to go. Life had not been easy for him for the last several months. Sometimes, his hindquarters wouldn't support him, and he dragged himself around on his powerful front end.

Sharon had a very hard time with this. She'd grown to love him dearly. As we embraced outside of the vet clinic, she said, "I feel so alone."

This ballad, my poor attempt at poetry, is dedicated to Dorian and Sharon and to the friendship they shared.

God bless you both, and all those who have experienced this special bonding.