Old Rinny Tin-Tin



Moe jumped in the car
And his dad closed the door
A ride to the park
Was all he lived for.
He was armed with his ball
But something didn't feel good...
In the back was his bed
And the rest of his food.

Moe thought of his buddy
Old 'Rinny Tin-Tin'
And his mouth full of ball
Made a big, yellow grin
He was taking a 'gift'
To an old, furry friend
Who's 'fetch' days were numbered
But he'd play till the end.

When they drove past the park
Moe looked at his dad,
He looked in the back
At his bed and the bag
He still held the ball
For old 'Rinny Tin-Tin'
But he knew in his heart
He'd never see him again.

Right past the park,
The river and lake
Right past the burgers
Where sometimes they ate
Right past his dreams
Of a perfect, sunny day...
Right to the building
Where no more dogs play.

He looked at his dad
But his dad looked ahead
Then opened the door
Grabbed the food and his bed
Moe dropped the wet ball
On the floor of the car
A 'gift' for his dad...
A sad little scar.

He was led just inside,
Someone else took the leash
His dad wiped his eyes
Signed a form of 'release'
He watched the tall man
With more than eyes, can simply tell
Walk out the door
Then he was led to a cell.

One final thought
As the needle went in, was...
He never gave his ball
To old 'Rinny Tin-Tin'.
Moe's last, final thought
As the needle went in, was...
He'd never give his ball
To old 'Rinny Tin-Tin'.

About this poem

For whatever reason...people can still take pets to 'kill' shelters, where there is little accountability...even for animals who might have a second chance; if given one.

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Submitted by lovingempath on July 03, 2022

Modified on May 02, 2023

1:33 min read
652

Quick analysis:

Scheme abcbdxex xfdfxgxg chxxdfxx cxxxxixi hebedaha xxxxxjbj kLdFkLdF
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 1,387
Words 302
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8

Robin Loving

Sometimes the words flow like a murder of crows. They've held my secrets for the past 65-years. And sometimes they repeat them back to me, and laugh. more…

All Robin Loving poems | Robin Loving Books

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Discuss the poem Old Rinny Tin-Tin with the community...

11 Comments
  • David_Zeoli
    Your words brought me right into the back seat with Moe. Repeating the last lines broke me. Very well written.
    LikeReply 18 months ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you David...I can't wait to read some of your work! Welcome to the site! :)
      LikeReply 18 months ago
  • dougb.21370
    Aw nuts, a trip to the Vet and his firm grasp and final needle. We had a doxy, much beloved. Went the same way. Good phases of story Robin…Doug Blair
    LikeReply 18 months ago
    • lovingempath
      Thanks Doug. I'm sorry to hear about your Doxy...it must have hurt :(.
      LikeReply8 months ago
  • TortillasAreNotBiceps
    This reminds me of Marley and Me.
    LikeReply 19 months ago
  • TortillasAreNotBiceps
    I love that photos have been added. It gives me a reason to revisit my buddy's amazing works. I know you probably don't like being showered with compliments, but you are SO DAMN GOOD at storytelling it blows my mind. This is where I struggle. It's so vivid that you can't help but get emotional as the needle goes in and Moe won't ever give his ball to old Rinny Tin-Tin again. This is the stuff that I live for because I'm a big baby deep down inside. 
    LikeReply 19 months ago
    • lovingempath
      I'll try to come up with just one more 'dead dog' poem, just for you! (I love it when I can bring tears to your eyes :).
      LikeReply 19 months ago
    • TortillasAreNotBiceps
      Hey, if it takes my suffering to bring you joy, then by all means slash away, Peg Bundy.
      LikeReply 19 months ago
  • AIDA
    Wow! Your poem 'Moe and Rinny Tin-Tin' is incredible! The way you've portrayed a heartwarming story of a boy's love for his dog and the emotions involved is simply beautiful. The imagery you've used is vivid and painted a clear picture in my mind.

    Since you've asked for improvement suggestions, I can offer some. Firstly, I would suggest using punctuation marks appropriately to create a better flow while reading. Additionally, adding more details about the surroundings and the boy's feelings might elevate the emotional aspect of the poem.

    Overall, your writing style is impressive, and I look forward to reading more of your work. Keep up the fantastic work!
     
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you AIDA, but I guess the characters in my poem didn't come out clearly. There is no boy :)
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • Vixility
    The first time I read this poem of yours I was at work. The closing stanza, with its fading echo of life and innocence, teared me up. I was thankful for the point of the poem, and thankful that there were no other coworkers around to witness the emotion that your work produced in me. You are a very talented writer. 
    LikeReply 21 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you very much for this comment. It means a lot to me.
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • RhymingVibes
    Couldn’t have been a better poem to raise awareness on this profound subject.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you for this comment. Much appreciated! :)
      LikeReply1 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Your poem embodies every element I always look for in the 'perfect' poem. It totally blew me away!
      LikeReply1 year ago
    • lovingempath
      The last comment was meant for you (not me)...for some reason I can't edit or delete it. :)
      LikeReply1 year ago
    • RhymingVibes
      Got it. Thanks for the nice words.
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Symmetry58
    As good poems do, this made me feel as though it was something I had experienced. Thank you for filling our hearts and eyes. :-)
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you very much my friend! :)
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • sheila.mcmillan41219
    I just really, really liked this poem. It actually brought tears to my eyes!
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • melissac.91439
    I chose this poem because it pulled my heart strings, it made me cry, it took me in the car past the park in the dogs mind. Very good poem.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you very much melissac! :)
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • CBeatty660
    I can relate to a person's love for a dog.. and a dogs love of people who love.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • lovingempath
      Thank you so much for being able to relate to this poem. That means a lot to me.
      LikeReply1 year ago

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"Old Rinny Tin-Tin" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/133669/old-rinny-tin-tin>.

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