Ode to Jewell by Michael LaGris

Ode to Jewell

by Michael LaGris

I asked her to come home with me. To romp, to smile, to laugh, to play with me in our snow. I asked her to pose for pictures. And I asked her to come for a ride with me. And she did. I asked her to sit still while I cleaned her ears. To sit still while I clipped her toenails. To enjoy my touch while she rubbed aside my leg. I asked her to love the sound of my voice. And she did. I asked her to come to the park with me. To jog with me, to wag her energetic tail as she ran. I asked her not to go into traffics danger path. And I asked her to sleep beside me on my bed. And she did. I asked her not to bark at strangers. I asked her to be friendly with children, with adults alike. I asked her to come with me when I toured the land. I asked her to tell me when she felt unhealthy. And she did. I asked her to love walking with me. I asked her to romp in the water. I asked her to be sure everyone loved her, that they may know a fraction of my joy. I asked her to watch TV with me. And she did. I asked her to accept new people in my life. I asked her to be happy with them. I asked her to accept new puppies in my life. And I asked her to be happy with them. And she did. And she was. I asked her to be happy with her home. I asked her to be happy with her food. I asked her to go out into my yard. And I asked her to lay under my lap as I worked at my desk. And she did. I asked her to be happy with her doctor. I asked her to miss me when I was gone. I asked her to wag her tail with fury when I came home. And I asked her to be my friend. And she was. I asked her to watch me play cards. I asked her to watch me brush my teeth. I asked her to watch me sew on buttons. And I asked her to watch me mow my lawn. And she did. I asked her to cry when I had pain. I asked for her joy when I had joy. I asked for her to be loud when I had jubilation. And I asked her to lick my wounds when I had sorrow. And she did. I asked her to chase whatever I threw. I asked her to sit when she brought it back. I asked for her anticipation for every treat. And I asked for her acquiescence for her rare misdeed. I received them all. I asked her to lick my hand. I asked her to sleep beside my bed. I asked her to be my guard. And I asked her to be my forever companion. And she was. I asked her to be quiet in our rides. But I asked her to speak up when she had a need. I asked her to keep me company when I had a need. And I asked her to be happy every day of her life. And she was. I asked her to chase my tennis balls. I asked her to catch my Frisbees. I asked her to play football with me. And I asked her to be happy to return home. And she was. I asked her to have a wonderful look. I asked her to have Labrador Eyes. I asked her to have a wonderful smell. And I asked her to be sure all who knew her, knew. And she did. I asked her to come see my Santa. I asked her to come see my lakes. I asked her to come see my oceans. And I asked her to come see my boats and rivers. And she did. I asked her to be accepting of me. I asked her to be accepting of all. I asked her to be strong when I was weak. And I asked her to be well when I was not. And she was. I asked her to be patient when I was slow. I asked her to have ignorance when I was angry. I asked her to be forgetful when I was foolish. And I asked her to remember when I was wise. And she did. I asked her to bring happiness to my soul. I asked her to bring happiness to all in my crowd. I asked her to watch over me. And I asked her to fill my life. And she did. I asked her to be my ears. I asked her to be my guide. I asked her to be my companion. And I asked her to give me twelve years. And she did. I asked her to come to the doctor with me, this one final time. And I asked her not to see my grief. I asked her to be in one final comfort. And I asked her to be at peace. And she was.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Michael LaGri