Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Listen to the Buck Sexton Show Live on TheBlaze Radio

Here’s the poem Glenn read this morning: ‘Take Joy In Old Dogs’

Dec. 13, 2012 10:59am Mike Opelka

In an emotional follow up to Wednesday night’s tribute to his dog, Victor, Glenn read a poem on the radio this morning. The piece comes from Emmy-winning soap opera writer (and dog-lover, dog rescuer) Donna Swajeski.

TAKE JOY IN…..OLD DOGS

Their joys are simple. A soft bed. A scrap fallen from the table that the younger dogs missed. The memory of a treed squirrel. A stormless night.

White whiskered faces and legs crooked as question marks.

Old Dogs…their sweet Buddha bellies hang over crossed legs as they fall asleep in a coveted patch of sun. Dreaming of out-racing their shadows down long, shady lanes.

Once they danced by your side. The very definition of joy unleashed. A perfect poem caught in shining eyes and wagging tails. They have followed you faithfully for years. And would plunge into fires, untamed wildernesses, raging waters if you asked.

Now, they struggle to catch up. Their pace slow but their hearts still valiant.
Their cloudy eyes are starting to dim and go distant, tuning in to some invisible world. Just beyond your reach.

Don’t go you say, as you scratch the tender part between their ears. Stay longer. I can’t imagine a world without your fur pressed close to my cheek. There are still so many roads we haven’t explored.

And they look up at you with a wisdom that just slays you.

Their backs are bent, not from the weight of years, but from the invisible wings they are growing
That will soon take them to a place where once more they are warriors of speed
Drunk with the sights and scents of a thousand meadows.
Able to leap high enough to touch the wing of the tiniest butterfly.

A place where they will now wait for you to catch up.

H/T Donna Swajeski / AnimalAidUsa.org

(Editor’s note: Donna is my beautiful bride of 20 years.)

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (25)

bearlakemedia
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 7:50pm
I think it is stupid and embarr-assing. While the whole country is trying to come to grips on the school shooting, Glenn can be found on cable with tears streaming down his face, no not about the slain children, ya you guessed it about the dog.
country_hick
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 4:52am
I have a girl that this poem could have been written about.

She has a hard time getting up where once she sprang with no problem;
Her hearing is fast slipping away but the eyes still see the sign language;
She sleeps so soundly that you actually check to see if she still breaths;
She whimpers and woofs in her dreams…where is she and who does she visit long gone that makes her tail wage so?
She lays at the top of her hill in the snow surveying her world but pays for that pleasure in trouble getting up and stiff walk but does it all over again an hour later;
She still puts the Rottie in his place when he steps on her and wants to go for walks if even for a little while;
She wants more pet pets but wanders off to lay in the bedroom by herself more now too;
What we call her puppy pills keeps her comfortable but we know that one day they won’t;

We pray that we won’t have to take that long drive when we know it’s time. Instead we ask that she go on her hill or in the shade of her tree in the summer, warm, sunny, a nice breeze or snow covered like the snow dog of ages long past.

But however it happens we know that she will wake at the Bridge once more the wild brat of a runner that I rescued, able to run and play and once again fly on the wind perhaps to be captured only when she stops to roll in a dead deer like she did to my now wife.

Once again our hearts will be torn out until that time we are reunited. She can never be replaced but we will do it again. O

Report this comment
sofox
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 1:11am
Glenn and family: I have this theory. Our pets are just angels in disguise. No, I don’t have any proof. But, I can’t disprove it either. The unconditional love they express, their devotion and unseemly wisdom and tenderness towards a specific person at a specific time all point to a divine creation sent on a special mission, soon to be returned to their point of origin, heaven, the supernatural and mysterious place we all hope for.

Report this comment
cattaz49
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 10:04pm
Glenn and family > You are so so right animals love you unconditionally . In my life time children that
have been brought up with animals learn a lot of compassion and caring . Animals I think sometimes teach children things even people can not do. I have a small peek-a-poo who is fifteen I am struggling
with the same issue.My heart goes out to you and your family

Report this comment
reired44
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 8:26pm
I too was moved to tears by the poem about old dogs. I have 2 beagles one who is 13 and a half years old, blind and deaf, who I worry about leaving me all the time. I can’t imagine my life without him and feel for Glenn and his family.

Report this comment
CuteBaldChick
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 4:53pm
Having put down my German Shepherd girl, Alison, this year, Glen’s tribute is close to my heart. I’ve been adopting senior dogs for some years and am privileged to be able to give them a loving home for the remainder of their lives.

Anyone who has has a bond with their animal knows when it’s time to let them go to Rainbow Bridge.

Report this comment
4suchatymasthis
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 4:27pm
We also are savoring these last days with our old dog, Justin. There is nothing so fine as an old dog. Our old guy is still “good in the head” but the rear end is giving out. There is new hope for this ailment. Probably not in time for our old guy but maybe the next. Amazing therapy for paralyzed dogs, see:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/11/20/sci-paralyzed-dogs.html

Report this comment
rspoll
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:38pm
Dear Glenn, so sorry to hear this. Hold him in your arms and let the last memory in this life be your touch and voice. You will see Victor again and the joy will be overwhelming! Bless you Victor, “good boy”!

Report this comment
- TheEDGE
  Posted on December 13, 2012 at 4:55pm
  Ah come on! I don’t need to cry right now.
  
  Report this comment
AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:29pm
This made me cry. Letting go is hard, I’m so sorry Glenn, praying for you. Victor is a beautiful dog, inside and out. But remember, you’ll see him again someday.

Report this comment
APROUDVETERAN
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:15pm
One of the toughest things I ever had to do was to tell my 10 year old daughter that the dog she knew from her earliest days would never respond to the sound of her steps as she approached our front door. Teddy, our mix breed dog who my wife had before we were married, had passed that very morning shortly after my daughter had left for her classes. I can remember my daughter calling after Teddy when she arrived home and my heart just sunk knowing what I had to tell her. I’ll never forget how my daughter cried that day — and its now 35 years later. Teddy however left a lasting impression on her and my grandkids have had a dog of their very own since their birth……..

Report this comment
Need to be FREE
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:14pm
Had to pull over on this all I could think of is my old girl. Yes tears

Report this comment
Senior Viking
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:00pm
Beck brought tears to my eyes when he closed last nigths program and then again today reading this poem.
I’m glad it was posted.

Report this comment
Heather
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 2:55pm
Glenn, you are an amazingly sensitive man. Trust your instincts regarding Victor’s dilemma. Each dog lover knows his companion well enough to ease their transition into the next world at the right time. He will let you know, he will communicate this with direct eye contact with you. Trust your judgement. This is not an easy time of the year for these heartbreaks, but sometimes nature presses us this way. I too am dealing with almost the exact same delimma. God will help guide us, he will not abandon these most beautiful and loving animals. He will guide you and I toward the most humane and loving outcome. Love, Heather and Punkin’

Report this comment
LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 2:32pm
God bless and comfort the Beck family.

Report this comment
cateyes29
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 12:58pm
Lost an old canine friend Sunday – needed this. Thank you for posting.

Report this comment
Gangofone
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 12:53pm
You OWN Victor, as you also own his suffering! His life would have been over long ago without you, so end his pain and let him go! When he cannot even walk because of pain, unless your vet gives him some speedball, what kind of life is that?

Report this comment
- Ranger1967
  Posted on December 13, 2012 at 1:41pm
  He’ll know when its time. Victor only came to earn his wings. Just like Glen and the Beck family, I went through this…again….7 months ago with the loss of my second Golden Retriever. Glen has learned what we have learned, loyal companions never die as we hold them dear to our hearts the rest of our years. My Maggie Belle and BJ are now playing with a tennis ball with dad and St Peter now. In memory to all of them this Christmas season. We lost our hero soldier and father, Maggie Belle, the test dog for Myasthenia Gravis treatment that led to a cure in humans and BJ, loyal and protector. We miss them all deeply.
  Glenn, you will know when its time. It will be his eyes and the look that goes straight through to your heart. Do this in Victors home with a Vet who does home visits. I have no regrets doing this in my home as its there home too, where they feel the warmth and love. I couldn’t do this in a Vets office again.
  
  Report this comment
Gangofone
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 12:49pm
With heart felt emotion, as one that has been in your shoes before, I believe it is time you take away your loved ones pain! When an animal cannot even walk without the vet giving it a “speed ball”, that animal is suffering beyond reasonable standards. You are your dogs MASTER, you OWN him, and you own its suffering! Where is the quality of life for this loved one? Rationalise your dogma any way you want, as I have humainly dispatched a deer that hit a car, its suffering was ended by me. My feelings for that deer are the same as my feelings for your dog. I must do what is right, even when it hurts! Your desire to have this animal around is no measure of your love for it, ease its pain and let it go. Would you want Jesus to “hang around” longer on the cross, so you could visit with him?
It even hurts me to think of your dog suffering, end it, its not going to get any better!

Report this comment
- seybernetx
  Posted on December 13, 2012 at 8:24pm
  Gangofone, give it a rest, OK?
  
  Report this comment
ururpast
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 12:47pm
There should have bieen a KLEENEX warning before reading this!
We live in the country, and needless to say, have buried several beloved pets, miscarried kittens, short-lived strays, etc over the years. But, we are seeing changes in our latest beloved one, that tells us his time is growing shorter, and my husband and I are not going to deal with this one well, but this poem will help.
Thank you!

Report this comment
- Ranger1967
  Posted on December 13, 2012 at 1:44pm
  I do not even know any man that could have a dry eye after reading this or watching it. They say there are two times a man is allowed, when his father dies and his dog passes…..
  
  Report this comment
biohazard23
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 12:08pm
This makes me miss my beloved Sheltie, Murphy, so much. (sniffle…)

Report this comment
fdraiden
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 11:59am
That brought a tear to my eyes…

Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on December 13, 2012 at 11:53am
So true. Nicely expressed and our hearts’ desire!

Report this comment

Comments are closed.

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.

« Back to The Blaze