My dog is dead, the best dog in the world.
And I shall never say again, “Come, Ned,"
And see him jump and wag his tail and grin
And blink his eyes—he knew just what I said.
I found him in the grass behind the ham
And thought he was asleep, he was so still.
And when he didn’t answer to my call
I ran and called for Jim up on the hill.
Jim works for us and always liked Ned too.
He laid him in a box and dug a grave;
And put his arm around me when I cried,
And said, “Why, Ned’s all right—you just be brave."
I tried to be real brave and not to cry;
I guess Jim knew just how I felt inside.
He didn’t say so much but held me tight
And stroked my head until my tears were dried.
But when the sun went down and it was dusk
I thought of Ned and went back by his grave.
And then a lump got swelling in my throat
And I felt awful, trying to be brave.
If being brave is holding back my tears
And having feelings that I have to hide,
Then I don’t always want to be so brave­—
And so I crawled up by his grave and cried.
I didn’t feel the lump so after that;
It melted into tears and ran away.
And then I thought of when I first found Ned,
I’m sure I never shall forget that day.
I looked at him, and then he looked at me
And wagged his tail and then began to smile­—
We just belonged together, that was all,
Since then we’ve been together all the while.
And then I got to wond’ring where he’d gone
And how he liked it up there all alone,
For he has gone to heaven I am sure—
I wonder if he tried to come back home.
And then I said a little prayer for him
And told the Lord just what was on my mind­—
That if He had a little boy up there
Who wanted Ned and would be very kind,
Why, he could borrow him just for a while
With him to play there on the golden street.
For he would surely want a dog like Ned
If paradise for him were real complete.
I wonder if we have to play on harps,
For I could never learn to play I know,
And flying round a throne forevermore
And wearing crowns of gold would tire me so.
I wonder if the Lord would really mind
If I had Ned and not the other things?
I’m sure that we would both be very glad
And God could keep the harp, and crown, and wings.
I told Him I would only lend my dog­—
I really think that way is only fair;
The other little boy could borrow him,
But give him back to me when I get there.