Poetic Love for his Friend

The poet and literary giant George Gordon, the sixth Lord Byron, was born in London, England on Jan. 22, 1788.   Throughout his short, dynamic and controversial life, one thing remained constant ---  his great love of animals.

Shelley, fellow poet and friend to Byron, once wrote after a visit with his friend, that he counted "ten horses, eight enormous dogs, three monkeys, five cats, an eagle, a crow and a falcon" on his property in Italy.

Byron's most beloved dog, a black and white Newfoundland named Boatswain, died at five years of age after having contracted a painful bout of rabies.   The bereaved poet, who had maintained a constant nursing vigil, buried his pet in a garden tomb at Newstead Abbey (Byron's inherited estate).  Byron requested that when he died, he be laid to rest next to Boatswain.

                                              Byron's Epitaph to Boatswain

Near this spot are deposited the Remains

Of one who possessed Beauty Without Vanity,

Strength Without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man Without his Vices,

This Praise, which would be unmeaning flattery

If inscribed over Human Ashes,

Is but a just tribute to the Memory of 

"Boatswain", a dog,

Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803.

And died at Newstead Abbey, Nov. 18, 1808

When some proud son of man returns to earth,

Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,

The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe,

And storied urns record who rests below;

When all is done, upon the tomb is seen,

Not what he was, but what he should have been;

But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend,

The first to welcome, foremost to defend,

Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 

Who labours, fights, lives, breathes, for him alone,

Unhonoured, falls, unnoticed  all his worth,

Denied in heaven, the soul he held on earth;

While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,

And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.

Oh man!  thou tenant of an hour 

Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power,

Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,

Degraded mass of animated dust!

Thy love is lust, they friendship all a cheat,

Thy smiles hypocrisy, they words deceit

By nature vile, ennobled but by name

Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.

Ye!  who perchance behold this simple urn,

Pass on ---- it honours none you wish to mourn.

To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;

I never knew but one---and here he lies.                        Byron

Lord Byron died of fever on April 19,1824 at Missolonghi, Greece, while fighting for Greek independence from Turkey.

Boatswain's collar cherished and preserved, was found among his meagre possessions.   

Lord Byron was laid to rest in the Byron family vault at Hucknall Torckard, near Newstead, on July 12,1824.

Euthanasia

Sadly, many dog owners must face this option when their faithful companion's health deteriorates due to illness or old age.

They trusted you to take care of their health and well-being all these years.   Now, they are trusting you to  take care of them in their pain and misery.

How can you say good-bye?

They have been your shadow, your welcome-home committee, your sympathiser and your best friend.

The one who alerted you when those thieves tried to steal your car.   The one who laid with you in silent vigil when you were so sick a few years ago.

The veterinarian said it would be the right thing to do, but the decision had to be yours.

One day follows another, whilst blindly thinking, he seems a little better today;  not wanting to face the inevitable solution, not wanting to "let go".

Your worst fear comes true.   Laying at your feet is your beloved who cannot muster the strength to rise up and go with you this time.   Looking at those pain-stricken eyes, you pick up the phone and call the veterinarian.   You hear yourself say  "Can it be done today, soon?"

Gently, you pick up this old bundle of fur you love so much and wrap a blanket snugly around that frail body.

The trip to the veterinarian's office seems to take hours;  your loyal buddy laying limp at your side.  You are afraid to speak as the tears might start and you must not arrive at the veterinarian's office out of control.

Choking back the tears, you enter the waiting room, your best buddy in all the world clutched in your arms.   The veterinarian carefully introduces the drug that will take away the pain and you watch those faithful eyes fade, as the spirit moves towards the Rainbow Bridge.  

Holding for a long last hug, you have decided to have that little body cremated and leave to await his ashes to come back to you soon.

When you arrive back home, the silent emptiness inside is unbearable.   Your baby is gone and you did it.

The guilt and sorrow take over and you break down and weep for a long time.

The grief you suffer over the loss of a dear and loyal furry friend may continue for weeks, months or even years.   Everyone deals with grief differently.

                                                                ..........

Dealing with the pain and loneliness after the loss of a beloved pet is a very real and traumatic experience that only animal lovers can comprehend.

Some grieving owners will obtain a new pet immediately to fill the empty spot in their hearts and homes.   Others may be so stricken by the loss they will never leave themselves open to this kind of pain in the future.  Seeking out other animal lovers and "talking out" these feelings can be therapeutic in itself.

Death is inevitable in this life, but the spirit lives on in our hearts and minds.   Preparing for the death of a dearly loved pet can in some cases assuage the pain felt after the fact.

Once your dear one reaches a certain age and you begin to notice a slowing, think about what life will be like without them.  Think about euthanasia, natural death at home, burial or cremation, typically the final step for all living creatures.

Burial serves the psychological needs of those left behind as a kind of "going away" ceremony and, no matter how difficult it may be to accomplish, it is the beginning of the healing process. 

A grave-site should be considered ahead of time.  Perhaps their favourite spot in the garden where they patiently take in the sunshine whilst you work in the garden.   A gathering of their friends and family to wish them a safe journey perhaps.   Others who feel embarrassed showing their emotions, may choose a solo affair or a cremation and a memorial set up in their living room.

Whatever you choose, think it out well ahead of time.   Your dearest little mate deserves a suitable resting place with a loving "send-off".   There is a lot of comfort in believing in the Rainbow Bridge where you will meet again and go together into Heaven.

Writing an epitaph, a story expressing your feelings of loneliness and heartbreak you are experiencing  

or if you are on the internet, getting involved with Groups such as one provided by American Kennel Club Pet Loss Support Group, where you can talk with members who themselves, are feeling so much heartache.    

There is no worse pain one has to endure than the loss of a beloved pet.

In loving memory of  Aus. Ch Nantiki Hop Topic (Tootsie)  (12-6-2003 - 5-7-2017)  and my first born Silky Terrier US Ch Centella Lil Fellah ROM (Fellah)  (circa 1973 - March 1980), who perished when my house and kennel burnt to the ground in my absence.   The love of my life and still loved and adored and not forgotten.   And to US Ch Centella Senorita Chica (Chica)  who perished in the same fire.