--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And it is exceedingly short, his…" description: "\"And it is exceedingly short, his galloping life. Dogs die so soon. I have my stories of that grief, no doubt many of you do also. It is almost a failur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/mary-oliver-570_animal-love_and-it-is-exceedingly-short-his-gallopin_1759542.jpg" --- # And it is exceedingly short, his galloping life. Dogs die… ![“And it is exceedingly short, his galloping life. Dogs die so soon. I have my stories of that grief, no doubt many of you do also. It is almost a failure of will, a failure of love, to let them grow old-or so it feels. We would do anything to keep them with us, and to keep them young. The one gift…” quote by Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/mary-oliver-570_animal-love_and-it-is-exceedingly-short-his-gallopin_1759542.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/mary-oliver-570_animal-love_and-it-is-exceedingly-short-his-gallopin_1759542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/mary-oliver-570_animal-love_and-it-is-exceedingly-short-his-gallopin_1759542.jpg) > “And it is exceedingly short, his galloping life. Dogs die so soon. I have my stories of that grief, no doubt many of you do also. It is almost a failure of will, a failure of love, to let them grow old-or so it feels. We would do anything to keep them with us, and to keep them young. The one gift we cannot give.” [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet laments the fleeting nature of life, especially of dogs, and the human desire to preserve youth and companionship, acknowledging the inevitability of aging and loss. **In simple terms:** Life is short; we wish to keep loved ones young, but cannot. Key Takeaway Accept aging and cherish moments with loved ones. Themes mortality companionship ageing loss Mood melancholic reflective Type poetic emotional When to use this quote - pet ownership - caregiving - personal reflection Key Concepts ephemerality attachment grief Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor aging loved ones? - What does it mean to let go? 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