Lupe
d. 10/2/1998
Ah Lupe!
So much you've seen,
Born in Andean valley filled with pine trees dark and green,
Thrilled by a rushing stream.
An ordinary German Shepherd - just at first - muy huasa (very timid), so it seemed,
But of such rare good looks that people paused and turned to say
"This is a lovely dog!"
Ah Lupe!
So much you've given.
You worked your way into our home, our hearts, our family prayer,
You made us want to do for you - to feed, to clean, to play, to walk, to have you there,
You took what you were given and gave us love without demand, without reproach.
Ah Lupe!
So much you knew.
Our home, our friends, the places where we are, and where we've stayed,
The trivia of every day - the becks and calls, the Bonio at night, the games we've played.
Ah Lupe!
So much you're missed.
That empty spot beside the door,
Those small routines we don't need any more,
Those hurting memories of all that we have lost,
That soft, sad happiness at everything that you have meant to us.
You're irreplaceable dear friend - thank you for so much,
We loved you to the end!
We bought Lupe - Guadalupe was her real name - in Chile. She was born on May 8th 1985 at the Hermita de Las Condes where the River Mapucho coursed down a ravine, with pine trees on either side. She was the last of the litter, because she was so timid. We knew nothing about dogs, and bought her because she was available and we needed a big guard dog. We didn't appreciate her enough at first, but slowly she worked her way into our family. We brought her to England with us in 1991 and put her through six months quarantine when she was the most visited dog in the kennels. She became an essential part of the household and we missed her dreadfully when she had to be put down with cancer at the age of nearly thirteen.