avatarToni Crowe

Summary

The text discusses the tension between a woman, her dog, and her husband, who resents the dog and pressures her to give it up, despite the dog providing comfort during her post-partum depression.

Abstract

The narrative "Paper Poetry W6: Only the Dog" revolves around a woman's emotional struggle between her loyalty to her dog and the demands of her husband. The dog, a source of solace for the woman during her post-partum depression, becomes a point of contention when her husband insists that the dog must go, claiming the dual responsibilities of pet and baby are too much. The woman's attachment to the dog is deepened by its unique ability to bring a smile to her face amidst her struggles. The story is accompanied by an epigraphic prompt from Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose," emphasizing the power of letting go, which contrasts with the husband's lack of understanding and support.

Opinions

  • The husband is portrayed as unsympathetic and possibly unaware of the severity of his wife's post-partum depression, as he sleeps through the night while she relies on the dog for comfort.
  • The author suggests that the husband's insistence on getting rid of the dog is a selfish act, as it seems to be based on his own convenience rather than genuine concern for his wife's well-being.
  • The dog is depicted as an essential emotional support for the woman, highlighting the importance of pets in mental health and the bonds they can form with their owners.
  • The narrative implies that the husband's actions may have caused a loss of trust in the relationship, as the wife's belief in her husband's kindness and view of him as an equal partner has been compromised.
  • The inclusion of Toni Crowe's background as a retired Vice President of Operations and an award-winning author provides context for her perspective on personal struggles and the importance of resilience and change, as reflected in her other works and her life choices.

Paper Poetry W6

Only the Dog

Epigraphic prompt

Image by Toni Crowe

“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”

― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

He hated her dog The dog was there before him When the baby came, it was an excuse She needed the big dog, post-partum had her firmly by the throat Only the dog made her wry smile appear But hubby said the dog and the baby were too much As he slept through the night The dog had to go He put the heat on Picking and poking at every discrepancy Something went But not the dog Her belief that her husband was a kind man Who saw her as an equal partner Left

Toni Crowe retired as the Vice President of Operations to pursue her dream of being a writer. Toni has written six books, two of which won the 2019 Reader’s Choice Gold Awards. Her bestselling business book, “Bullets and Bosses Don’t Have Friends: How Do You Manage A Man Sitting With His Dick in His Hand?” was one of the winners. Her first book, “Never a $7 Whore” was the other.

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W6 Prompt
Epigraphic Poem
Relationships
Mental Health
Poetry
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