“Friendship is one of life’s great, unmerited gifts, and a sign of God’s care for us. Our animal friends are no exception.”

~ Rev. Dr. Scott Cowdell

WRITING SAMPLES

Poems by Pets and Tributes

Sample 1: A poem written in the voice of a pet

I wrote this eulogy poem in 2018 to express the loving bond between a deceased 36-year-old man nicknamed Wink, and his two beloved corgis.

(Background: It was relayed to me that Wink was known for his kind nature, and a fabulous sense of humor that was inspired in part by Bart Simpson and Jim Carey. He was sentimental about a Beanie Baby collection he had acquired when his twin sister died during junior high school. He enjoyed sports, photography, cooking, heavy metal music and doting on his fur-baby girls.)

A Love Poem to Daddy Wink
by Samantha and Maxine
© Laura King, 2018

Long walker, baby-talker,
Sparkle in your eyes-ies,
Costume maker, picture taker,
Bringing home surprise-ies.

Pie-baker, pom-pom shaker,
BBQ’d burgers and wienies,
Laugh-maker, impersonator…
Why CAN’T we have your Beanies??

Tummy scratcher, our clothes must match-er,
Giving hugs and squeez-ies,
We like your music very much,
‘Cept when it hurts our ears-ies.

Bath-giver, toenail trimmer,
Singing supper song-ies,
Ball tosser, “Hey, who’s the boss here?”
Don’t be away too long, please...
Don’t be away too long…

This is not the end?!
ALL-RIGHTY, then!
We’ll race you, Daddy, around the bend.
We love you FOREVER!

Your fur babies always,
Sammy and Maxie Wilson

Sample 2: Excerpt from a (Human) Eulogy

Closing Words from Wink’s Funeral
©Laura King, 2018

It is time now to conclude our Funeral Party—our Celebration of the Life of Alan Travis “Wink” Wilson. You have come here today to honor an exceptional human being and remember his life well-lived, and you have together accomplished that in a very beautiful and authentic way.

As you acknowledge Wink’s physical death and move into your heart space where the pain of his loss is real, you’ll encounter memories that may move you to torrents of tears. And this is natural if you have loved and laughed with Wink … if you admired his example, if you learned from him, if you looked into his bright blues eyes and felt seen, understood and uplifted… and if you loved him back for everything he was, and whatever he wasn’t.

It is good to remember fully, and it is good and right and healing to mourn Wink’s sudden passing.

But since you have loved AND laughed with Wink, you might notice that these sorrowful tears are actually not the total opposite of happiness. Sorrow is sometimes called the beautiful sadness—a poignant mix of feelings that come from the ache of loss and longing, mixed with a profound tenderness and appreciation for your loved one.

Wink brought so much love and joy into this world. This seemed to have been his purpose and ambition from an early age.

So, when your tears slow their falling and your chest aches lessens, let a smile creep back onto your face. Blow your nose and say to yourself, “Ay caramba!” or “Don’t have a cow, man!” or “Shut up, Lisa!” and laugh. Let the light of Wink’s memory be complete and warm in your heart. Let his legacy of laughter bring sparkle to your days. Let his commitment to fully accepting himself and all others inspire you as you move forward.

In this way, the love you shared with Wink while he was here will live on and shine its light in you forever. (…)

Sample 3: Excerpt from Remembering Coco Choe
© Laura King, 2018

Mouse problem in New York City? Exterminators and hardware stores offer an array of gruesome remedies, but one of Jenny’s friends suggested a kitten might be the best solution.

Now Jenny was not then an animal person, per se. But she wasn’t inclined to lay down cruel traps or poison either. So, a kitten—maybe just borrowed for a little while—seemed an “alright” remedy.

A friend of a friend had a litter, she learned, and the cat lady was happy for Jenny to take a fur-baby home on trial. Desperation soon outweighed trepidation; Jenny traveled to Staten Island to pick up the tiny black and white creature. She schlepped Coco back home to Harlem in a box via a long subway ride, and he wailed like a banshee for the entire journey. Flustered by the sideways glances and responsibility she was taking on, Jenny reassuring herself that she could return him, maybe even the next day (…)

But as we know, that didn’t happen.

Instead the seeds of amazing connection began to bloom between Jenny and Coco.  “After trying to return him twice, I fell in love the third week,” Jenny said, “and it was a love fest ever after.”

Kitten Coco grew quickly into a very large and regal Man Cat. In Jenny’s eyes, he was tuxedo-ed marvel that could do no wrong. She loved every aspect of taking care of him. Formerly a private person, she started organizing dinners and parties at her home to show off her beautiful boy. Coco not only opened Jenny’s heart, but opened her world through close friendships as she began to invite new people in. (…)