Here
are the winning poems from our Winter/Spring 1999 Two Dog Poetry Contest! We want
to thank everyone who entered. We heard from more than 50 dog poets who have very
special relationships with their senior dogs. Several people also shared very
touching tributes to dogs who are no longer with them and a few submitted some
fun poems about dogs in general. It was a pleasure to read all your work!
Mac and Maynard
are having their ears cleaned by Harry right now, part of their dog-spa-treatment
reward for the incredibly difficult job of judging dog poetry. The hardest part
of hosting this contest is always selecting the winners. After much dogged deliberation,
we're pleased to present the pick of the litter:
First
Place: "Together Still"
by Stephanie Zvan
Second
Place: "Our Walks are Getting Shorter"
by Walt Zientek
Third
Place: "Co-Pilot"
by Deb Hamele.
Together
Still
by Stephanie Zvan
She thinks I'm
getting old
But she doesn't really mind.
I always was too fast for her
And lately, she's been getting slower, too.
I never tell her
how I wait
To make sure she can keep up.
She thinks the look I give her when she's tired
Means I'm the one who needs a rest
And asks no questions in her gratitude.
She doesn't wonder
that my strides
Become shorter as her knees hurt more.
The naps we take together
Are longer, but no less sweet for age.
I sometimes miss
the romping,
The frantic way we'd play together.
The ropes we tugged
The bones we dug
And all the lovely games of tag.
Memory becomes
unbearably sharp,
And I feel rested unto death.
Youth steals over me,
And I must run and play again
But not 'til this patch of sun moves on.
Copyright © 1999
by Stephanie Zvan.
Our
Walks are Getting Shorter
by Walt Zientek
Our walks are
getting shorter now and taking a little longer.
What used to be a race around the block is now a gentle stroll.
A chance to read the messages of unseen friends who've come
before.
A chance to work the stiffness out.
A chance to share some quiet, twilight time, together.
Your naps are
getting longer now.
Your favorite toys no longer call you from their place.
The traffic on the street outside no longer needs your watching.
I wonder if your dreams are filled with memories of fields and
ponds and endless runs in pain free days.
Your eyes are
getting bluer now. Like Autumn clouds against a
cold slate sky.
I know that now you see me with your nose and hear me with
your heart.
I wonder if you understand the things you ears can't hear me say.
Our walks are
getting shorter now and taking so much longer.
But I will surely slow my steps and change my pace to stay
with you...forever.
Copyright © 1999
by Walt Zientek.
Co-Pilot
by Deb Hamele.
He sits so nobly
on the seat next to mine
Almost human
He gazes outside
With never a whine
Wherever I travel
He's ready to go, too
Cross-country or local
Whatever the view
My faithful companion
The gray on his chin
Is the only clue
To how many places we've been
Copyright © 1999 by Deb Hamele.
Winter/Spring
1999
