The Joy I'm Without

Kurt Philip Behm

I walked with Colby,

 he never walked with me

 

His spirit to guide us,

 his love in the lead

 

We circled the globe

 a time and a half

 

His tail was my compass

 to guide us steadfast

 

In all kinds of weather

 we stuck to the trail

 

Under sunshine and rain

 our forays prevailed

 

In May of last year

 he collapsed on our walk

 

And with valor he tried

 but his body would balk

 

Its been downhill since then

 with him not knowing why

 

The knowing inside me

 his neuropathy slide

 

I knew it was coming

 as he struggled to stay

 

And he fought till the end

 on this very sad day

 

As I looked in his eyes

 for the last final time

 

Willing to give up my life

 for his health to revive

 

The fates were against us

 his clock had run out

 

The pain in his parting

 —the joy I’m without

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November 9th, 2018)

 ‘Today, I lost The Best Friend I Ever Had’

 

 

Shared Light

 

Let others inside you,

 as reflection begins

 

Your truth like a mirror

 that calls from within

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2018)

 

 

 

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Comments3

  • Laura🌻

    Kurt,

    I’m truly and sincerely saddened by the loss of THE BEST FRIEND YOU EVER HAD...COLBY! My deepest sympathies and condolences my dear friend! There’s only one comforting thought in my mind...
    No More Suffering For Him!

    ~Laura~

    • Kurt Philip Behm

      Thanks Laura. What's comforting is that Neuropathy
      has no pain attached to it, you just lose the ability to stand
      or walk. Up until Monday, it was episodic, but then it became
      permanent, and he stopped eating 4 days ago.

      I wrote all my books—every one—on our walks together through
      my I-Phone Voice Recorder. We walked 8-10 miles every day and
      last year surpassed 30,000 miles. Colby would have been 14 this
      coming Christmas Day.

      I was told about the magic of Labs, and then read Marley & Me.
      I can personally attest that every word written about Labrador
      Retrievers is true.

      I've never known love like the love I got from Colby, and I'll never
      stop missing him or truly get over his loss. Watching his eyes
      close for the last time is something I will have to carry inside me
      forever.

      I truly appreciate your kind thoughts. Today, they do help a little.

      I'm just sitting here in limbo.

      Kurt


      • Laura🌻

        Thank you for sharing! 😔
        Will be thinking of you and your beloved Colby!

      • Debsspot

        Such beautiful words Kurt. Your life is richer for having had him in your life. His gift will never leave you.

        • Kurt Philip Behm

          Thanks Deb. My kids left the nest almost 20 years ago, so Colby
          was my youngest child. No one ever prepares you for the loss
          when they're puppies.

          Kurt

        • Christina8

          Was very touched by your poem and your deep loss. So sorry, Kurt!

          • Kurt Philip Behm

            Thank you, Christina. That's very nice of you.



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