"I will lend to you for a while, A pup, God said. 
For you to love her while she lives, And mourn her when she's dead. 
Maybe twelve or fourteen years,  Or maybe two or three. 
But will you, 'till I call her back, Take care of her for me. 
 
She'll bring her charms to gladden you, And, should her stay be brief, 
You'll always have her memories, As solace for your grief. 
I cannot promise she 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 her all your love, Nor think that labor 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 her with tenderness, We'll love her while we may. 
And for the happiness we've known,  forever grateful stay. 
But should you have to call her 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 her 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 her all her life." 
-author unknown-