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Это произведение было написано Eugene O'Neill для его жены Карлотты в 1940, за несколько дней до смерти от старости их далматина. Ссылка на автора обязательна при распространении.

ЗАВЕЩАНИЕ ГОРЯЧО ЛЮБИМОЙ СОБАКИ.

Я, Silverdene Emblem O'Neill, известный друзьям и знакомым как Блеми, чувствуя тяжесть прожитых лет, и сознавая приближение смерти, кладу настоящее завещание в тайник памяти моего Хозяина. Он не будет знать о нем до тех пор, пока в скорбные минуты одиночества после моей смерти, он внезапно не вспомнит о нем. В память обо мне я прошу Его навсегда запомнить это завещание.

Мне нечего завещать ему. Собаки мудрее людей. Они не собирают сокровищ земных, теряя при этом сон из-за мыслей о том, как сохранить приобретенное, и как приобрести еще больше.

Мне нечего оставить Ему кроме моей любви и верности. Эти ценности я завещаю всем, кто любил меня и особенно моим Хозяину и Хозяйке, которые, я знаю, будут оплакивать меня больше всех.

Я прошу моего Хозяина и мою Хозяйку помнить меня всегда, но не скорбеть обо мне слишком долго. При жизни я старался быть утешением для Них в минуты горя и привносить больше радости в дни счастья. Я не хочу быть причиной Их страданий и после моей смерти.

Пусть Они помнят, что благодаря Их любви и заботе обо мне, я прожил такую счастливую жизнь, какую только может прожить собака, но к закату ее я ослеп и оглох, и даже не чуял кролика у себя под носом, что унижало меня и задевало мою гордость.

Настало время прощаться, пока я не стал бременем для тех, кто любит меня. Я чувствую, что радость жизни покинула меня.

Мне жаль расставаться с Ними, но не с жизнью. В отличии от людей, собаки не боятся смерти. Мы принимаем это как часть жизни, но не как чужеродную и страшную вещь, жизнь уничтожающую. Кто знает, что ждет там, после смерти?

Я верю, что там есть Рай. Где каждый навечно юн и полон сил, где все резвятся дни напролет, и каждый час время обеда, где длинными в вечерами в миллионах каминов потрескивают дрова, а собаки собираются вокруг, что бы задумчиво глядя на огонь, вспоминать старое доброе время на земле и любовь своих Хозяев.

Я боюсь, что это слишком хорошо даже для такой собаки как я. Но, по крайней мере, меня ждет покой. Покой и отдых для моего усталого сердца и старых костей, и вечный сон в земле, которую я так любил.

Может быть, так оно и лучше.

Мое последнее требование. Я слышал слова моей Хозяйки: После смерти Блеми, мы не заведем другую собаку потому, что я никого больше не смогу любить как его.

Я прошу ее, в память любви ко мне взять другую собаку, иначе это будет плохой памятью обо мне. Я хочу знать, что после общения со мной, она не может жить без собак!

У меня нет завистливой и мелкой душонки. Я убежден, что большинство собак - хорошие, хотя мой наследник вряд ли будет так же любим, и уж точно не будет таким воспитанным, красивым и авторитетным, каким я был в свои лучшие дни.

Не просите невозможного, мои Хозяева. Но он постарается не посрамить мою память, и несмотря на все его неизбежные недостатки, ему я завещаю свои ошейник, поводок, плащик и пальтишко.

Пусть он и не сможет носить их с моим достоинством, но, по крайней мере,и не будет выглядеть неотесанным. Тем самым я желаю ему счастья в моем старом доме.

И на прощание, мои дорогие Хозяйка и Хозяин. Когда бы Вы ни пришли на мою могилу, скажите со скорбью и с радостью в сердце:

Здесь покоится тот, которого любили, и который любил.

Я услышу это в своем вечном сне, и даже смерть не помешает моему духу благодарно вильнуть хвостиком.

Я буду вечно любить Вас так, как может любить только собака.

by Eugene O'Neill