Some losses are so profound that there is no adequate description of them. Losing Poe is one of those losses. Poe was not just a special dog. He was an extraordinary dog. Greatness in dogs is usually measured in progeny and titles. Poe was not a breed champion. He never sired a litter. While he was highly titled, those titles are not what made him a great dog. Poe’s greatness was found in his heart, his intelligence, his devotion.
Many people knew Poe. Many people loved Poe. He had the ability to draw people to him. But Poe was far more to me. Poe is, was, and always will be my heart and my soul. Our bond was stronger than virtually any bond that I have ever had with another sentient living thing. I have always said that I would marry when I found someone I enjoyed spending time with as much as I do Poe. I am still single.
Poe was not an overtly affectionate dog – even to me. He liked me to scratch his head as he lay on the bed beside me but that was pretty much the extent of his cuddling. But that never bothered me. Poe showed his love and devotion in countless ways – ways that I will forever miss. He was the most human-like dog that I have ever met.
Poe was a tattle tale. He knew the rules of the house and if any of the other dogs were breaking those rules he would bark at me until I came and took care of the situation.
Poe trusted me implicitly. He would do anything I asked even if it represented a danger to him. It was a heavy burden for me to carry that realization that Poe’s strong level of common sense was overrode by any request I made of him.
Poe had a competitive spirit. He loved competing. He loved winning and it bothered him to lose. It did not matter what sports we did together. As long as he and I were competing together he was in it to win it.
Poe loved the water. If there was a body of water in sight, Poe was in it. I have scars on my knees from him pulling me to the ground in his effort to get to water to remind me of this love of his.
Poe loved to lick my hands in the morning. I would wake up to him lying on the pillow besides my head waiting for me to give him my hands to lick. That was pretty much as close as Poe got to asking for affection.
Poe had the uncanny ability to look into my eyes and understand what I wanted. We rarely needed to speak in everyday life as he anticipated what I would be asking him to do. We were extraordinarily attuned to each other. This connection, this bond we shared, was heartbreakingly present when Poe told me that it was all right for me to let him go. How it hurt me to do so but I know he trusted me to end his pain while he still had dignity. It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life.
Poe was many things to many people but to me he was simply my partner and the love of my life.
Fly free my beloved Poe. We will meet again one day and it will be a joyous occasion to be sure.
Here is a tribute video for Poe. It is long but not even close to being long enough to show how extraordinary a dog Poe was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLuVAoue5t0
Poe
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
