by Bridget Whitaker
I will lend you for a little whlle a dog of mine He said for you to lovewhile he lives and mourn for when hes dead. It may be six or seven years or twenty two or three, but will you till I call him back take care of him for Me?He will bring his charm to gladden you and should his stay be brief, you will have his loveley memories as solace for your grief.I cannot promise he will stay, since all on Earth return,but there are lessons taught down there I wish My dog to learn.I have looked the whole World over in search of teachers true and from the throngs that crowd lifes lane I have selected you.And will you give him all your love nor think the labour vain Nor hate Me when I call his name and take him back again,I fancied that I heard you say ,Dear Lord Thy will be done, for all the joy Thy dog will bring, the risk of grief I will run. I will shelter him with tenderness I will love him while I may. And for the happiness I will have known I will ever gratefull stay. And should the Angels call for him much sooner than I planned, I will brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.