He Gave Us Enough
The life of a vet gives him stories to tell.
Some days are routine, and some days are like hell.
But then there are those he will never forget
that make it worth living the life of a vet.
When Rex first came in, he lived up to his name.
He stood like a king, full of life, always game.
He lit up the room, seemed so healthy and strong
‘twas hard to conceive there’d be anything wrong.
But this time, when six-year-old John and his mum,
brought Rex for a check-up, their faces were glum.
As John’s trembling voice softly asked Rex to heel
there were tears in his eyes that he could not conceal.
Proud Rex was uneasy and started to fret,
as John and his mother explained to the vet:
“The lump on his back isn’t going away,
it just keeps on growing, gets larger each day.”
The vet shared the anguish writ large on their face
this cancerous growth he just could not erase.
They said their farewells and gave Rex one last hug,
then turned from the vet who injected the drug.
John’s mother then asked of the vet if he knew
why dogs cannot live for as long as men do.
“I really don’t know,” said the vet, looking sad
“It’s best to remember the good times you’ve had.”
Then six-year-old John, as he wiped off his tears,
provided an answer belying his years.
His answer was simple, he knew Rex was dead.
But all of them wondered at what he then said:
“Us people are born just to learn how to live
and learn to love others and learn to forgive.
But Rex had already taught us that stuff;
so he went to heaven. He gave us enough.”
© M. P. Langenberg 10 July 2009
Special Occasions
I was once told a story I’ll never forget,
for it made me examine my life with regret.
‘twas a tale that was shared by a sorrowful friend,
who was mourning a death he could not comprehend.
For his wife had just died after twenty-four years,
as he laid out her clothes, his eyes filled up with tears.
He just wanted her dressed in her very best clothes
so he searched through her wardrobe for dresses and hose.
At the back of a drawer he then stumbled across
a bag tied with bows that left him at a loss.
For inside it he found silken briefs nice and neat
she had wanted to wear them for him as a treat.
That was so long ago it was hard to believe
when they’d gone to Paree for their annual leave.
She’d said soft in his ear: “I will wear them for you,
on a special occasion, you’ll know what to do!”
With a sob in his voice, my friend turned then and said:
“Guess that special occasion is now that she’s dead.”
And we both realised that it’s foolish to wait,
for that one special day that could be just too late.
If we all knew for sure, that today was our last
would we spend it on cleaning, or having a blast?
Would we go off to work, or in church kneel for prayer,
or make time for our loved ones and tell friends we care?
I have learnt that a special occasion is now
so I live for today, and I give you my vow,
I will not leave undone what I said I would do
I’ll live life to the full without fear or taboo.
Then with you by my side we’ll do all of the things
that we’ve dreamed about doing and see what life brings.
There’s no other occasion more special than now
so we’ll not wait around for that one final bow.
© Marty Langenberg January 2025