Lend Me A Pup

I will lend to you for awhile, a pup, God said, For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead.

Maybe twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three. But will you till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return but there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world in search of teacher's true, and from the folk that crowd life's land I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to take my sweet Pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy will be Done," For all the joy this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, and for all the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned, we'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

If by your love, we've managed your wishes to achieve in memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve.

When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife, we'll have yet another Pup and love him all his life.

_author unknown