received in e-mail

   My friend Ora sent me this.  She said it reminded her of me and Mandy.  It made me teary-eyed, but I still need to shed some tears for Mandy.  Yes, it's corny.  But today it was just what I needed.                       

                                         DOGGIE MEMORIES

I stood by your bed last night,
I came to have a peep
I could see that you were crying,
you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as
you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left,
I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here"

I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea
You were thinking of the many times,
Your hands reached down to me
I was with you at the shops today,
Your arms were getting sore
I longed to take your parcels,
I wish I could do more

I was with you at my grave today,
You tend it with such care
I want to reassure you,
That I'm not lying there
I walked with you towards the house,
As you fumbled for your key
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said "it's me"

You looked so very tired, 
As you sank into a chair
I tried so hard to let you know,
that I was standing there.
It's possible for me,
To be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty,
"I never went away"

You sat there very quietly,
Then smiled.  I think you knew
In the stillness of that evening,
I was very close to you
The day is almost over,
I smile and watch you yawning
And say "goodnight, God bless,
I'll see you in the morning"

And when the time is right for you
To cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you
And we'll stand, side by side
I have so many things to show you,
There is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out,
then come home to be with me.

- Author Unknown