Beau (poem)
Encyclopedia
"Beau", also known as "I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau", is a poem written by American film and stage actor James Stewart
. A humorous tribute to Stewart's deceased pet dog, the poem was first recited on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1981, and later published in the 1989 collection Jimmy Stewart and his Poems.
named Beau, of which he was extremely fond. Beau slept in the corner of Stewart's bedroom, but would often crawl onto the bed between Stewart and his wife Gloria. Stewart recalled, "he was up there because he wanted me to pat his head, so that’s what I would do. Somehow, my touching his hair made him happier, and just the feeling of him laying against me helped me sleep better."
While shooting a movie in Arizona
, Stewart received a phone call from Dr. Keagy, his veterinarian, who informed him that Beau was terminally ill, and that Gloria sought his permission to perform euthanasia
. Stewart declined to give a reply over the phone, and told Keagy to "keep him alive and I'll be there." Stewart requested several days' leave, which allowed him to spend some time with Beau before granting the doctor permission to euthanize the sick dog. Following the procedure, Stewart sat in his car for ten minutes to clear his eyes of tears. Stewart later remembered:
later described the poem itself as "forgettable," but added that both he and Johnny Carson
, a couple of "maudlin mutt mourners," were nevertheless moved to tears by Stewart's passionate delivery.
James Stewart
James Stewart was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart may also refer to:-Noblemen:*James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland*James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn James Stewart (1908–1997) was a Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general.James Stewart...
. A humorous tribute to Stewart's deceased pet dog, the poem was first recited on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1981, and later published in the 1989 collection Jimmy Stewart and his Poems.
Background
James Stewart owned a "willful but beloved" golden retrieverGolden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
named Beau, of which he was extremely fond. Beau slept in the corner of Stewart's bedroom, but would often crawl onto the bed between Stewart and his wife Gloria. Stewart recalled, "he was up there because he wanted me to pat his head, so that’s what I would do. Somehow, my touching his hair made him happier, and just the feeling of him laying against me helped me sleep better."
While shooting a movie in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, Stewart received a phone call from Dr. Keagy, his veterinarian, who informed him that Beau was terminally ill, and that Gloria sought his permission to perform euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
. Stewart declined to give a reply over the phone, and told Keagy to "keep him alive and I'll be there." Stewart requested several days' leave, which allowed him to spend some time with Beau before granting the doctor permission to euthanize the sick dog. Following the procedure, Stewart sat in his car for ten minutes to clear his eyes of tears. Stewart later remembered:
After [Beau] died there were a lot of nights when I was certain that I could feel him get into bed beside me and I would reach out and pat his head. The feeling was so real that I wrote a poem about it and how much it hurt to realize that he wasn’t going to be there any more.
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
"Beau" was first recited on an episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on July 28, 1981. Ed McMahonEd McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
later described the poem itself as "forgettable," but added that both he and Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
, a couple of "maudlin mutt mourners," were nevertheless moved to tears by Stewart's passionate delivery.
External links
- Jimmy Stewart Reads a Poem About His Dog Beau on "The Tonight Show" – Johnny Carson – 1981 Johnny Carson's official YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel, accessed June 11, 2011