Friday, May 02, 2008

dog and (wo)man------Writers Island



that pug nose tugged at my heart
soulful eyes stared into mine
front paws straightened, he lay down
putting his head sideways on the ground
both with a state of nirvana
we sat on the floor, contendedly
contemplating nothing
dog and human, not so much different
yet our identities separated by species and genus
I softly stroked his ears
a much loved stray, now a part of my life
getting up, he limped to fetch my book

looking at him now who would have thought
he had saved my life by killing my molester
loosing one of his hind leg in the process

28 comments:

Priya Iyer said...

hi! came here from writer's island. beautiful piece of writing, this. :)

Geraldine said...

Very touching. Is this a true story?

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

polona said...

ah, the bond between human and animal... moving and beautifully written.

anthonynorth said...

A marvellous story of true commitment. It sounds true.

Romeo Morningwood said...

That's not fair..who could resist a three legged dog?
..instant emPEThy for your subject.

Whitesnake said...

We all are dogged by such events.

Anonymous said...

A lovely piece. Fact or fiction? Either way, I loved it

Tammy Brierly said...

I LOVED this because I have had this kind of bond with one of my dogs.

This does not feel like fiction and if so my heart goes out to you.
XXOO

Prats said...

Touching! And they sure are so loving...a stray mongrel or a well bred one...it doesn't matter

Stan Ski said...

Man's best friend - this certainly justifies the expression

Unknown said...

Oh the ending is wonderful! What a hero!

paisley said...

very chilling twist in the end!!!!

i have to tell you i laughed at this line....

yet our identities separated by species and genus...

i have two dogs myself,, and i would have to admit,, i couldn't honestly say where the genius lies!!!!!

aMus said...

nice take on the prompt...
that's a special bond and you've written it well

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Very moving indeed and nicely done, Gautami. Hope you are well.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Now THAT is devotion! Don't tell me it's true; I don't want to hear that you've faced such ugliness.

Robin said...

Very touching piece.

Anonymous said...

Through your words I can picture the poignant moment. Well done!

Anonymous said...

A dog is a man's best friend, as they say. Your piece expresses that well!

chicklegirl said...

Strays (or shelter animals) make the best pets; they're so grateful and thus, so loyal. You've captured that very well in this piece, the tender and intimate relationship between animals and their people.

Jane Doe said...

Delightful and touching! Wonderful writing, it gave me goosebumps!

dsnake1 said...

a dog is a man's, and in this case, a woman's best friend.

the ending packs a wallop.

Anonymous said...

As a dog lover I can easily empathise with the bond . Lovely piece Gautami :)

Anonymous said...

Gautami - great minds and all. I did dogs for the prompt too. :)

"dog and human, not so much different" So true!

z said...

moving piece of writing

Anonymous said...

I am so moved by this. I had a dog who was my best friend (he has since passed away) and the contentment and connection I felt with him was amazing. He would have saved my life at any time. I just know it. Awww - I am going back to read again!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That was great!

Anonymous said...

subtle piece of poetry... caught us at the end.... beautiful words of loving a dog..i too love my dog... and i agree whose to say who is who... that a dog could save and be saved.. beyond most comprehension...

Anonymous said...

That is sooooo beautiful! I know an Airedale Terrier named MAX who lives in a book called 'Life to the Max', and after being saved from the shelter.... like this story.... the life's lessons abound! This might be the best read of your 2008 summer! The bond between human and animal are amazing..... sensitive, loyal & loving don't even begin to describe this story!!!