I was watching my all time favorite Christmas movie toniht,It's a Wonderful Life.It reminded me of years ago when Jimmy Stewart was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and read this poem.I remember sitting there with my Dad and both of us having tears on our eyes.I came out and googled to find it and I still love it.Here it is:
My Dog, Named Bo
By: Jimmy Stewart
He came to me when I would call, unless I had a tennis ball -or he felt like it.
But mostly--he didn't come at all.
When he was young, he never learned, to heel, or sit or stay, he did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag, but when you were with him, things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rose bush just to spite me, and when I'd grab 'im he'd turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day, the deliv'ry boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter, he said we owned a real man-eater.
He set he house on fire, but the story's long to tell. Suffice to say that he survived, and, the house survived as well.
And on evening walks (and Gloria took him), he was always first out the door. The old one and I, brought up the rear because our bones were sore.
And he'd charge up the street with Mom hangin' on, what a beautiful pair they were.
And if it was still light, and the tourists were out, they created a bit of a stir!
But every once in awhile he'd stop in his tracks and with a frown on his face, look around.
It was just t'make sure, that the old one was there, to follow him where he was bound.
We're early-to-bedders in our house I guess I'm the first to retire, and as I'd leave the room, he'd look at me and get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were, upstairs and I'd give 'im one for awhile and he'd push it under the bed with his nose and I'd dig it out with a smile.
But before very long, he'd tire of the ball and he'd be asleep in his corner in no time at all, and there where nights when I'd feel him climb up on our bed and lie between us, and I'd pat his head;
and there were nights when I'd feel this stare, and I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there and I'd reach out to stroke his hair;
and sometimes I'd feel him sigh, and I think I know the reason why.
He'd wake up at night, and he would have his fear of the dark, of life, of lot's of things, and he'd be glad to have me near.
And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him climb up on our bed, and lie between us, and I pat his head;
and there are nights when I think I feel that stare, and I reach out my hand to stroke his hair, and he's not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn't so, I'll always love a dog named Bo.
