Lend me a pup (or: A dog loaned) (or: A loan from God)

I will lend to you for awhile, a pup, God said,

for you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.

Maybe for 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 over in search of teachers 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 labour vain,

nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again.

 

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will be Done."

For all the joys this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,

and for 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 our 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.

 

*****

Another, slightly different version:

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said,

for you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is gone.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe for 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 that 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 over in search of teachers 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 labour vain,

nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again. 

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done."

For all the joys this pup will bring, the risk of grief you'll run.

Will you shelter him with tenderness? Will you love him while you may?

And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay.

But should I call him back, much sooner than you've planned,

please brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

If, by your love, you've managed my wishes to achieve,

in memory of him that you've loved,

cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,

and know he loved you too.

*****

Another, slightly different version:

"I'll lend you for a little time a dog of mine" he said.

"For you to love while he lives and mourn for when he's dead".

It maybe six or seven years or maybe more than these,
but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
 

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

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

I've looked this wide world over, in my search for teachers true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain,
nor hate me when I come to call, and take him back again?
 

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord, thy will be done",
for all the joy thy dog shall bring, for the risk of grief we'll run.

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

But should the angels call for him, we'll brave
the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

*****

Another, slightly different version:

God promised at the birth of time, a special friend to give.

“His time on earth is short, he said, so love him while he lives.

It may be six or seven years, or twelve or then sixteen,

But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?” 

A wagging tail and cold wet nose, and silken velvet ears,

a heart as big as all outdoors, to love you through the years.

His puppy ways will gladden you, and antics bring a smile,

as guardian or friend he will, be loyal all the while. 

He'll bring his charms to grace your life, and though his stay be brief,

when he's gone the memories, are solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,

but lessons only a dog can teach, I want you each to learn. 

Whatever love you give to him, returns in triple measure,

follow his lead and gain a life, brim full of simple pleasure.

Enjoy each day as it comes, allow your heart to guide,

be loyal and steadfast in love, as the dog there by your side. 

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,

nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again?

I fancy each of us would say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done,

for all the joy this dog shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. 

"We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,

and for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him, much sooner than we've planned,

we'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."

*****

Another, slightly different version:

“I’ll lend you for a little while

My grandest dog,” he said.

“For you to love while he’s alive

And mourn for when he’s gone. 

It may be one or twenty years,

Or days or months, you see.

But, will you, till I take him back

Take care of him for me? 

He’ll bring charms to gladden you,

And should his stay be brief

You’ll have treasured memories

As solace for your grief. 

I cannot promise he will stay,

Since all from earth return.

But, there are lessons taught on earth

I want this dog to learn. 

I’ve looked the wide world over

In my search for teachers true.

And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes

With trust I have selected you.

Now will you give him your total love?

Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate Me when I come

To take him back again? 

I know you’ll give him tenderness

And love will bloom each day.

And for the happiness you’ve known

Forever grateful stay. 

But should I come and call for him

Much sooner than you’d planned

You’ll brave the bitter grief that comes

And someday you’ll understand.”

 

(Author(s) unknown)
(German translation here)