A Dog Lover's Poem: Throw and Chase

Mark Tulin is an international author, humorist, poet, and short-story writer who lives by California's central coast.

The Bond Between Dog and Owner

Is there a stronger connection between an owner and a pet? That relationship is far less complicated than human relationships and with much less drama. Sure, the owner has responsibilities regarding the care and feeding of a dog, but it all seems worthwhile when there is such a loving interaction, like the moments they share on the beach in a game of fetch.

I wrote Throw and Chase after watching dogs and their owners play in Ventura, California. Two words came to mind in their jovial interactions, pride and respect. It appeared almost as if they were made to be together, enjoying each other's company, respecting each other's personality, and forming a prideful bond that transcends place and time.

Enjoy Throw and Chase, and watch my Youtube video of the same title.

Poem: Throw and Chase

I keep tossing the red ball

into the tumbling waves,

and my dog retrieves

and his paws keep paddling

while it seems that time slows,

and we never seem to tire,

but keep our game going

in an endless succession

Throw and chase is our ritual,

a man-dog brotherhood,

our way of staying connected,

sharing the sun-splattered instant

when the morning feels fresh forever,

and the waves never cease

As the seasons pass,

we eventually grow old,

my dog will develop a bad hip

I will inherit my mother’s cataracts

and my eyes too blurry

to play in the bright sunshine

on the damp sands of the beach

We will become two aging comrades

who prefer the quiet of a living room

I will lean back in my lounger,

my dog curled up by my feet

on a throw rug near a space heater,

while we nostalgically remember

my dog so excited by the chase,

and me, more than happy to throw.

Comments

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on February 26, 2021:

Thank you FlourishAnyway, Nithya, Linda, Ankita, Unmesh, Peggy, Ruby Jean, John, and Brenda for your wonderful feedback on my poem.

FlourishAnyway from USA on January 07, 2021:

It's bliss growing old with an animal. Beautiful.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on January 05, 2021:

Beautiful poem, a dog and man growing old together with a special bond that grows stronger as each day goes by.

Linda Kloss from Corpus Christi on January 05, 2021:

I love this, thank you

Ankita B on January 05, 2021:

Lovely poem describing the relation between a man and his dog. I loved it.

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on January 05, 2021:

Beautiful.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on January 04, 2021:

That is a beautiful poem about the love between humans and their beloved pet dogs. We have had many of them over the years and loved each and every one of them.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on January 04, 2021:

Mark, you captured the bond between a man and his dog so well. I witnessed this event with my sis. Bea, they both aged together. He passed away before her, and she buried him in her back yard, I loved the video.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on January 04, 2021:

Mark, you express the bond between a man and his dog so perfectly in your poem. I have had so many dogs and unfortunately they all grow old too quickly. Loved your You Tube video as well.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on January 04, 2021:

Mark,

You have captured the essence of a man with his dog aging though the years.

How wonderful to enjoy & make those memories. Then picturing the man with his dog curled up by his feet is so life like...this will truly be the way the bond of their friendship exists.