Teebeaux
8/2/90 - 5/18/00
TeeBeaux was my third dog. It took a lot of begging and whining to my mother, but I finally succeeded in getting a Catahoula, the "Louisiana State Dog." TeeBeaux was a little psychologically primitive compared to my other dogs, but he was fiercely loving and protective. He had a memory like an elephant and a heart like a human. We had him put to sleep in May of 2000 due to prostate cancer. We miss him terribly. It seems like he should have had many years left with us.
The following poem is dedicated to him:
A Poem From God For His Dogs
I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest pup, He said.
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be one or many years
Or days or months, you see.
But will you, till I take him back
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring such charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief
You'll have many treasured memories
As solace for your grief
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from the earth return,
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd the earth
With trust, I have selected you.
Now will you give him your total love?
Nor think the labor to teach in vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take him back again?
I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him
Much sooner than you'd planned
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And someday you'll understand.
Author Unknown
Ginger Cozmo Max