Lessons from a Furry Friend: A Poem

Wake up this morning, the snow is fluttering down

The sidewalks are icy, there’s frost all around.

I shudder at the thought of getting out in what I see

So I snuggle up with a blanket, and decide on some T.V.

Then I hear it, the sound that snaps me back to reality,

It’s my whining furry friend whose really gotta pee.

I sigh and think, surely our patch of grass will be enough,

But after he’s tested that, he stares at me with a huff.

So needy, I think, as he follows me around,

He acts like he’s entitled to a bathroom with more ground.

“You should be grateful for that patch of grass” I say.

But apparently that’s not enough cuz he looks at me “that way.”

So I put on layer after layer, til I look like the Michelin Man,

And I tug on my big snow boots, and put mittens on each hand.

And all the while he’s belly achin’ cuz I’m taking a bit too long,

So I start to mock him, and whine back to him his own song.

He doesn’t think I’m very funny, though I quite think I am,

And when I’m finally ready, you’d think I’d brought out a prize ham.

He starts spinning in circles, and doing do-si-does,

And we’re off to the races, him with fur coat, I in my puffy clothes.

He jets out in the cold, as I try my best to keep an eye on that pup,

With all this freezing ice around I’m just trying to stay up!

He twirls and runs like he’s the fastest beast around,

And he’s not bothered one bit by the chill of winter on the ground.

So we begin our adventure out through what could be the North Pole,

And he so kindly decides to contaminate every bush, tree, and hole.

He runs about and sniffs the air and rejoices like a snow day child,

Those birds and sticks, they have no chance, as he goes completely wild!

And what am I doing? Standing under a tree to block the wind,

My face is frozen, I don’t think I’ll ever feel my fingers again.

But as I watch him, I’m struck by a peculiar thought,

Is it normal to be jealous of a furry creature that you’re not?

I see him run with no abandon, and his spirit is so free,

And I think to myself, for just one moment, I want that to be me.

He has no fear in this big white world, and he trusts with so much ease.

He has no worries, or cares, or heartache, he just enjoys the breeze.

And as I watch through the flakes freezing to my face,

I hear God say, “You can have that too, just look at this beautiful place.”

“I have brought you here, where you never knew you’d be,

So take a moment and enjoy all the wonder that you see.

The floating snowflakes, this grand old tree, the muted sky so high above,

I created all these things for you to enjoy, even that puppy that you love.”

"How often is that patch of grass not enough to be content?

And all the moaning about how you think it should have went!

You say you want to enjoy each day, never worrying like all the rest,

Then stop complaining and stop a while, I’m trying to show you my best!”

“So take a moment, and soak it in, you can have a life like that silly pup.

You have no reason to fear, for I am with you before you even get up!

You can put your trust in me, and give me your worries and your heart

For just as you watch over that dog, precious child, from you I will never part!

So I stood still, and watched His beauty as I listened to His voice,

And I realized in that moment, I always have a choice.

So from this day forward, I don’t want to envy my funny little dog,

I need to open my eyes each day and quit living in a fog.

For My God has saved me, and bestowed on me His amazing grace,

And I just need to learn to be still and find peace in the beauty of this place.