This poem would fi t well into a collection of poems about humans and animals, love, death or grief.
The dog is loved and mourned as a member of the family in this poem. They ensure she is put to sleep in the comfort of the home and they give her a form of wake by leaving her ‘for hours’ on the carpet after she has been put to sleep. The connection between man and animals is clear as the family ‘talk to her fi nally, and bless her’. The dog dies ‘surrounded by petting’ and is mourned deeply: ‘we each wept copiously’.
1. This poem is entitled ‘On the euthanasia of a pet dog’. Suggest a different suitable title for this poem. Support your choice with reference to the poem.
2. Choose two lines or phrases from the poem that appeal to you and explain your choices with reference to the poem.
3. In which one of the following collections of poetry do you feel this poem best belongs? – A collection of poems about love – A collection of poems about grief – A collection of poems about man and animals Give reasons for your choice with reference to the poem.
(10) (10)
(20) 4. Did you enjoy reading this poem? Give reasons for your answer with reference to the poem. (20)
