He Told Me Thisby T Yamamoto, © 2008 |
This is a poem about a shepherd's memories of first four herding dogs and the regrets for mistakes made in training. T Yamamoto (also known by her maiden name as T Martino) is a working shepherd who writes about her experiences. This poem is from her second book American Lambs- shearing with blades. Her first book is called American Lambs and is published by OutRun Press.
I love this poem because it is so true. We all make mistakes in our training. The wise ones acknowledge their mistakes and learn from them.
I am reprinting this with the author's permission.
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| PUPPY REARING | TRAINING | PROBLEMS | WORKING DOGS |
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He Told Me ThisMy Grandpa had dogs, and I remember them as a wonder.Grandpa gave me dogs to help me in my work. My First dog I thought cowardly - though he did what I asked. My second dog I thought headstrong - but he could shift anything My third dog was a good dog, he slept by my bed. And I shared meals with him. But he was kicked in the head by a cow with a young calf and died. My fourth dog, was brilliant. And I loved her like my own child. She had pups and this one under my chair is of her blood. But now I know. And it sometimes makes me sad. My first dog, it was me that made him a coward My second didn't listen to me because when I was young I was often wrong My third dog was a good dog, but I put him on stock too rough for that day. By my fourth dog I became humble and knew that the dogs knew more than I That I was just helping them along to find their trail. Oh to be a young again and know these things... To get my first dog back and say to him...... "you were such a good dog." |
| site author Pam Green | copyright 2003 |
| created 11/02/09 | revised 11/02/09 |
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