One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there were seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
While he carried me along the shore.
But then some stranger prints appeared,
So I asked, What were these prints for?
These prints are neither yours or mine.
And Lord they are in sets of four.
My child, He said in somber tones,
At one time you were so close to giving up, that I called on a little dog to walk along. And for awhile this was just what you needed. Your pup filled your time with love and blessings, he kept you so busy there was no time for fussing.
But then one day I had to call him home,
And you were heartbroken and all alone,
But the time you had together was never forgotten, And even though it hurt to lose your little dog, I knew you'd be better for the love you had known.
- Author unknown
"For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead, It may be ten or eleven years, or maybe two or three, But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
"I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this friend to learn. I've looked the wide world over in my search for protectors true And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done." For all the joy Thy friend shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay; But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
-----Adapted from a poem by Edgar Guest-1938
FLAMING TEXT