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For a Personalized Autographed copy of “STRAWBERRIES IN WINTERTIME” or “WOODEN & ME” use the PayPal link on my home page or mail a check for $25 to:
Woody Woodburn
400 Roosevelt Court
Ventura, CA 93003
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Readers Look Backwards at Own Pups
Robert Frost’s Tweet-length poem “The Span of Life,” and last week’s column about my own old dog who “barks backwards without getting up,” had quite a few readers sharing remembrances of their own pups. Here are a few . . .
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“Your thoughtful column brought a few tears to our eyes because we had fairly recently had to bid goodbye to our own ‘lovable backward-barking dog,’ a bull terrier named Sir Elton,” wrote Carol and Bob Olivera.
“Our canine companions (best described by us as ‘children with paws’) have all held a very special place in our hearts, and it is so very difficult when they let us know it’s time to say goodbye.
“We have a plaque in our home that reads: ‘It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog and I will become as generous and loving as they are.’ ”
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Jim Reynolds’ note greeted me with a warning bark: “Woody, my wife always, and I seldom, read your articles (different politics).”
Then Jim’s tail metaphorically wagged: “However, ‘A lovable backward-barking dog’ brought tears to an old (79) dog lover. Maybe the article had the impact because the old dog wasn’t a dog at all; maybe me, much younger, and me now.
“And perhaps Frost’s dog was my two 13-year-old dogs that died in my lap, or perhaps it was one of the other five dogs my wife and I raised and then passed ‘beyond backward-barking.’
“Your readers and I were blessed by Frost’s dog and poem, and your discovery of the poem (so long ago) and especially your sharing the wisdom in today’s column! Thank you for an insight that I will treasure.”
Jim then added his own deep wisdom: “I believe that if a dog’s human always tries to do their best for their dog, they have done their part of God’s plan. A dog’s life cycle is shorter than I prefer – but then I can treasure, love and care for more dogs. Perhaps that’s the tradeoff that’s best for both us humans and the dogs that God loans us to love, to learn from, and to care for.”
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“Your column brought back memories and some blurry eyes, thinking of our old dog, Pinky,” wrote Rick Throckmorton.
“Bought as a reddish-blonde cocker spaniel pup for my two small boys, Pinky was part of our lives for 17 years, until, like your Murray, he would ‘bark backwards’ at times as he protected the family hearth from some unknown and unseen intrusion.
“Gosh, we loved that dog. When he left us, it was as if tearing away a part of the family. Could never replace him!
“Anyway, you brought back a memory of a Tom T. Hall song that also brings tears when I hear it on the radio. While ‘only a song’, it is poetry in its true form.”
Rick shared the full song which includes these lines: “Ain’t but three things in this world that’s worth a solitary dime, / But old dogs and children and watermelon wine. … Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes; / God bless little children while they’re still too young to hate. … That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime / Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.”
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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
Check out my memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece” and my essay collection “Strawberries in Wintertime: Essays on Life, Love, and Laughter” …
- Personalized signed copies are available at WoodyWoodburn.com