Lend Me a Pup
I will lend to you for awhile,
a pup,
God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen 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 (should
his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth
return
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers
true
And from the folk that crowd's life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the
labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come
to take my Pup back again.
I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord Thy
Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will 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 should you call him back
much sooner than we've
planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed,
your wishes to
achieve
In memory of him we loved,
to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle
departs this world of
strife,
We'll have yet another Pup
and love him all his life.
-author unknown