Stop All The Clocks, by W H Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
It is with profound sadness to convey that my Mab, Australian Champion Cedarcorgis Chardonnay, my beautiful little furchild, has crossed to the rainbow bridge this afternoon aged 15 years and 8 months, 10-6-2009 to 15-3-2025.
Mab was a steadfast and dour Cardigan who was my little shadow and my comfort. She was always a mummy’s girl – so eager to please and comfort me. The storms we weathered together, the illnesses she battled, the triumphs we shared.
There is too much to tell about how she impacted my life. And I feared having to ‘mercy kill’ her as her illnesses crept up, so she did what only a perfect loving soul would do, and saved me from having to live with that guilt as she passed quietly at home this afternoon on a stinking hot day… her poor old body could not cope and she slipped away with Bonnie and I at her side giving her comfort and company as she drew her last breath, my tears falling on her beautiful face.
Some think that animals are just that… with no feelings, thoughts or awareness, but I know Mab knew me and knew how much I needed her throughout the years of her life. As a cute, wriggly puppy I could not imagine the bond we would forge as life gave us heartache, challenges and surprises. She outlasted, outwitted and outplayed 2 of my 3 husbands, lived in 2 states with me, flew on planes, survived illnesses and just kept on loving me and being there as life faded from her.
Mab and I shared a cheeseboard the other night as I sensed her time was tight. We enjoyed the cool evening and glass of bubbles together. I did not expect our love to be cut so quickly, she caught me unawares today.
Where will all this love go, that’s been captured so perfectly inside your skin and bones?
Goodbye Mab, my light in the dark. I will see you on the other side girl.
