Ode to a One-eyed Dog (a humble attempt 27 or so years ago)
“Inwardly think constantly of the Beauty behind flowers; the Light behind the sun; the Life that twinkles in all eyes, that beats in every heart.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
The Epitome of Humility
Ko-ko in her later years… one of my best teachers
You open our eyes to the Infinite
with your soft-brown one-eyed stare,
your gentle, pink-tongued kisses
and your deep, dark velvet ways.
You open our hearts to Eternal Love,
joining in our displays of affection,
cringing at discord in dire dejection,
Oh, Love-Dog with a failing heart!
You work your love-magic on all you meet
with a willful wag of your toy-like tail.
You soothe us in sorrow and defeat
with the soulful "ear" of your single eye.
In your own pain, you have comforted us.
Losing Dad you licked Mom's tears.
Mom died and your kisses brought me back
from the shrieking world of grief and fear.
And you are getting old, as I lie beside you bed,
my nose nuzzling your greying head,
inhaling your sweet doggie scent,
I feel the fragile flutter of your tender heart.
Lulled by the hum of your delectable delight,
warmed by your love, touched by your joy,
filled with awe at each breath you take,
I see in you God's mystery of life.
(Ko-ko died in 2000 sending me a vision after her death)
MOONSIDE 
Ellen, beautifully written. So sad when their time comes 😢🐶
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April 21, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Yes, Ko-ko lived until 17 and a half a full life, first with my parents till they died, then with my husband and me. I know you have written beautifully on the loss of our special friends. They remain with us, I guess, all our lives.
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April 21, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Such a beautiful ode and what a touching tribute to your precious friend, teacher, and guide! We are beyond blessed for having the privilege of sharing our lives with them, aren’t we? I feel so! The bond remains even when their bodies are no longer here. The vision you had was a confirmation of that. Thank you for this precious share, Ellen! Much, much enjoyed and felt!!! Infinite blessings and light to you, dear friend, always!! 🙏✨💖🐕
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April 21, 2026 at 3:34 AM
So glad it touched you, Susana! Thank you so much for your generous comment❣️🙏🏽🫶
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April 21, 2026 at 10:07 AM
To have been loved by a faithful, loving pet such as your Koko is a gift, one shared with a full heart and without hesitation. How wonderful it would be if we as people would love and relate like that.
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April 21, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Yes, how wonderful it would be!
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April 21, 2026 at 10:59 AM
You have opened our hearts to Ko-ko so well that I can feel her soft curly hair. Thank you, Ellen, for sharing her loving spirit with us.
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April 21, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Aw! Cheyenne, thank you for such a lovely comment! A beautiful thing to say. Yes, that was Ko-ko! Indeed, we called her the “love-dog.”
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April 21, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Love this, Ellen.
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April 21, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Thanks so much, Ronnie!!
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April 21, 2026 at 12:23 PM
What a sweet little dog Ko-Ko was and selfless, with her soothing you and others in your time of grief. It’s amazing to me that animals can show us such empathy, more that other humans sometimes.🖤
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April 22, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Yes, Julie, it is amazing. And they just “know”. When .y husband’s mother got seriously ill with a cold she would die from, Ko-ko “knew” right away, without any input that my husband was upset and jumped up on the sofa and started kissing him. He wasn’t crying or anything but she “knew.”
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April 22, 2026 at 11:50 AM
So beautifully written, Ellen! I can almost feel Koko’s loving presence as you described her. I especially love:
“You open our hearts to Eternal Love,
joining in our displays of affection,
cringing at discord in dire dejection,
Oh, Love-Dog with a failing heart!”
The image of Koko pairs well with the image of the Lily of the Valley, so full of humility. So timely too that the Lily of the Valley blooms late April to early May.
Beautiful, heart-touching post altogether, Ellen.
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April 22, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Thank you ever so much, Dee, for your generous comment. I am glad Ko-ko’s good heart came through. I am so glad you liked it.
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April 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Your well-written ode tenderly expresses the emotional bond your family had with Ko-ko. Thank you, Ellen, for sharing the beautiful experience you had with your four-legged family member. 🙂
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April 22, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Thank you so much, Nancy! I am glad you felt the bond we had. 😉
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April 22, 2026 at 8:40 PM