"THE TORMENT OF ABUSED DOGS"

Since the loss of my 19.5 year old Poodle, Sunday in 2022, I always knew about high kill shelters, the education of Best Friends, and the horrors of the China dogmeat market. 

Becoming entrenched looking for another Love, companion, family member, via City & County Shelters---my heart was ripped apart with each matted mane, eyes of sadness, hopelessness,  throughout every breed imaginable, but most visably in Poodles with neglected coats. I felt so helpless, I realized the self torment of witnessing the abuse by human hands needed another outlet. And so I begged and pray. 

The amount of dogs throughout California alone is monumental for one person. There needs to be a Divine Intervention to mend the broken spirits & souls in these bodies of fur. Asking with their eyes of purity & emotion: 

"Why have you forsakened me, was I a bad boy, was I a mean girl, wasn't I quiet enough, did I eat too much? If so, please forgive me, I'm sorry, I only want to love you, sit by your feet, and bask in the sun with you till my twilight."

The human race has within it the selfishness, anger, hostility, and ultimate cruelty to destroy an animals hope, love and Soul---without guilt or remorse.

And so we, the advocates, the lovers of dogs, cats and their nature; in domesticated animals, the dog suffers the most. 

It renders us powerless to do it alone. But as a combined force we can right the wrongs, correct the injustices, and with a hand of compassion, and a heart of love----heal the damages inflicted upon the tender, unconditional Souls we call The Dog.

"FROM FUR TO DUST"

Some say the Spirit vanishes when we die, the body means nothing. But, each of us have different ideas about death, dying & "the body" that represented "US" in life. 

After much contemplation, the body, was in fact, everything.

It housed our Spirit, and nourished every cell, muscle, organ and strand of hair, so that we "could" live on Earth.

Sunday's body, his face, his hair, his liquid brown eyes was the first image I fell in love with.

The furry body I clutched in my arms.

The heart that beat with mine.

The breath his lungs pumped minutes before my own exhaled.

The mind that pondered my alien human words.

The paws I washed hundreds of times.

The nails I clipped to a fine point.

The devoted eyes I wiped clean. 

The pink ears I plucked of hair so to hear my cooing better.

The K9 teeth I scraped, brushed, till ivory white.

His scent..it came from the body I was in love with, cherished, dedicatingly, painstakingly healed, groomed, nurtured, adored. 

His ashes are a tribute to that.

Honoring the remnants of the body he wore to kiss me, lick, eat, walk, jump, run & play through life.

All of it, was reduced to a sacred mound of dust. 

His dust. 

His Life. Sunday Jean.

---R. B. STUART XOXOX

"LOVE IS NOT BLIND"

My best friend, protector,  companion, team mate, sleeping buddy, TV pal, dinner partner, Volvo riding Shot gun cohort, beach bum, flea bag, handsome fella, 4 legged gymnist, runner, with chicken legs and doggedly patience...has become blind at 16 years old. 

                                      SUNDAY, 2019

The cataracts cloud the sensitive, stirring brown eyes that laid upon my face every sunrise, and each twilight. Never to capture my expression again. 

May your mind remain vivid with images of me, the rains blessing your face, the wind  floating through your ears, salty ocean waves chasing your tail, the airplanes lighting up the sky, the arrogant squirrels that taunted you each day, and fields staking claim to your squeaky balls. 

May those pictures from your life keep you warm as you lay down beside me in the dark.

I Love You Sunday...Our life will never be the same. 

XOXOXOX

"MY DOGGY, MY LOVER, MY FRIEND"

SUNDAY WAS MY BELOVED & MY FIRST TRUE LOVE.

ALMOST 20 YEARS TOGETHER JUST HE & I.

HE WAS THE MOST HANDSOME, DEVOTED, DUTIFUL, PATIENT & DETERMINED FRIEND, COMPANION, PARTNER, WITH STRONG CONVICTIONS & LOYALTY TO ME. 

HE WOULD FOLLOW ME TO THE EDGE OF THE EARTH, WHERE WATER MEETS THE HORIZON, OR TO THE CITY SIDEWALKS IF I WERE DOWN ON MY LUCK.

AS LONG HIS HIS EYES REST ON MINE...HE WAS CONTENT & AT HOME, FEELING SAFE & AT PEACE. 

HE WAS UNDETERRED,  AND UNSTOPPABLE TILL THE VERY END. 

HE WAS A MAJESTIC GIFT BORN UNTO MY HEART & LIFE.

HIS PRESENCE & AFFECT ON ME WILL BE TILL ENTERNITY.

THROUGH SICKNESS & HEALTH.

TILL DEATH DO US PART.

HE IS MY DOGGY, MY LOVER, MY FRIEND. 

I LOVE HIM SO XOXOX.

27.SEPTEMBER.2022

"MY SOUL DOG"

My Beloved, Majestic One True Love Sunday Jean:

Marking the first two weeks without you by my side.

Crying every night reaching for the spot on the bed where I used to rest my hand on your back.

Weeping every morning not seeing you rustle around groggy while I prepare to leave for work. Giving you a scratch message to wake you up.

Hearing your teeth clink against the water bowl as you slurped up every drop.

Still saying goodbye to you...telling you I love you and watch the house for me. 

Blowing 3 kisses in the wind, which were meant for your soft face no longer pressing against mine.

I've been trying to continue walking our route every evening, able to make it through tonight without shedding a tear.

I sprinkled your ashes every block or two last week at your favorite marking spots....remembering you were at my heel every step, even though your arthritis made it a struggle as your life neared the final laps.

Always remember: Shy of 20 years, you were the most devoted, dutiful, determined dog, with strong convictions, extremely patient, attuned to me, adoring, conscientious, playful, smart, happy, protective, praise motivated, had unstoppable prey drive, boundless runner & agility, and a dedicated walker.

By age 2 you learned 30 words, were incredibly smart, perceptive, able to communicate with me with a glance of your emotional, brown eyes. 

At 16 lbs and much later 13 lbs, you were a real Tuffy. Whether a 190 lb man, or 70 lb German Shepherd, if you felt they were out of line you had no problem putting them in their place. You were unruly about it.

I am sorry that JR coming into my life in the last 4 years interfered with our union, and closeness. 

He was a bad man. 

You detected it early on, and expressed it up till the very end. 

I suffered. And so did you. For that I am truly sorry. 

The last 6 months was just you & me like old times. Sleeping on my chest. 

Being a baby and wanting me hand feeding you.

Wrapped in my arms we danced in the sunshine. 

Ate Pistachio ice cream, nibbled on peanut butter cups, drove with your head hanging out of the window.

Aahh....life was bittersweet...as I could see it ending.

I love you Fronky, Skittles, Lil Fella, Donkey, Cutie Canootie, SJ, PaPa and will never forget your pawprint on my heart.

Aunty xoxoxo

10.OCTOBER.2022

"A SONNET FOR SUNDAY"

To My Lil Fella,                                                                                                   My companion even when there's no fanfare.

My father, 

My mother, even though they died long ago, your warmth only they would know. 

My friend till the last grain of sand, you've become a stand-up man.

My sister,  

My brother, as well as we know each other you'd think we were lovers.

My moonbeam, always brighten my day with a hello from your tail, a bark at the mail.

My confidant, 

Even when I'm upside down, you transform into a Vaudeville clown.

My partner in crime, 

Always first climbing vines towards adventuresome times. 

My sweet litlle froggy,

With your chicken legs and  still loves to beg.

You'll be 16 in April,

Fifteen Christmas' together, and our birthdays we have weathered. 

My donkey, 

Once striding by my side as soon as a foot is out of the door.

My furry lamb,

You'd rather stay in because now you get cold and legs maybe cramp.

My walk has slowed its pace,

The soft glow of age has covered our face. 

This tribute is for you my bugaloo,

Your eyes follow me through time, even if your ears can no longer hear the windchimes.

My doggy till the end,

Thank you for teaching me how to be patient....and to bend.

My love for you knows no bounds,

And I'm quite happy you're a Poodle and not a hound.

Put your paw in my hand lil' Papa,

And let's see what's in store for this next....chapter. 

Happy New Year! 

Love, Aunty XO

Copyright, R. B. Stuart December 2018