by Sam Strohbehn
Lend Me A Puppy
I will lend to you for awhile, a pup, God said, For you to love him while he lives and and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three,
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief) you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from Earth return. But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true.
And from the folk that crowd life's land I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, Nor think the labour ain,
Nor hate me when i come to take my Pup back again.
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will be Done," For all the joys this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness we'll love him while we may.
And for he happiness we've known forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we planned, We'll Brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishesto achieve
In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve, When our faithful bundle departs this world of srife, We'll have yet another Pup and love him all his life.
~Author Unknown~