{"id":2058,"date":"2023-10-03T07:47:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T05:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/?p=2058"},"modified":"2023-10-03T07:47:41","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T05:47:41","slug":"jimmy-stewart-got-emotional-reading-his-poem-about-his-late-golden-retriever-beau-on-johnny-carson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/?p=2058","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Stewart got emotional reading his poem about his late golden retriever Beau on Johnny Carson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having a dog for a pet can be an incredible experience. No matter who you are, they\u2019ll love you loyally and unconditionally. Even if you\u2019re one of the most famous people in the world, there\u2019s nothing more valuable than that.\"\"<\/p>\n

Which is why Hollywood celebrities love their dogs, just like the rest of us \u2014 and feel just as heartbroken when their pets pass away. But when that happens, it can help to remember the good times, and to put your feelings down on paper.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what legendary actor Jimmy Stewart did, penning an ode to his dog Beau, and reading it on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson \u2014 a beautiful, emotional moment that has become a TV classic, and will still touch the hearts of anyone who has ever loved a dog.<\/p>\n

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\nWikimedia Commons<\/p>\n

Stewart, the star of classic Hollywood films like It\u2019s a Wonderful Life, Rear Window and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, made his appearance on the Tonight Show in 1981, when the actor was 73.<\/p>\n

He tells Carson that he wants to read a poem, titled \u201cBeau,\u201d the name of his pet golden retriever.<\/p>\n

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\nScreenshot<\/p>\n

At first, it seems to be a comedy bit fitting the late-night show: Stewart gets laughs with early lines about Beau\u2019s stubborn behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never came to me when I would call, unless I had a tennis ball\u2026 or he felt like it,\u201d Stewart reads. \u201cBut mostly, he didn\u2019t come at all. He never learned to heel or sit or stay, he did things his way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He makes it clear that despite Beau\u2019s bad behaviors (including biting his famous owner and \u201csetting the house on fire\u201d) he was still fun to have around: \u201cDiscipline wasn\u2019t his bag. But when you were with him, things sure didn\u2019t drag.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nScreenshot<\/p>\n

But halfway through the poem, it becomes clear that this isn\u2019t just a joke poem about his troublesome dog. Stewart, growing increasingly emotional, describes calm nights by the fire when he would get Beau a ball, or the dog would come to sleep in their bed. He recalls sensing that the dog had fears, and that he was the one who could make him feel safe.<\/p>\n

And there were nights when I\u2019d feel this stare<\/p>\n

And I\u2019d wake up and he\u2019d be sitting there<\/p>\n

And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.<\/p>\n

And sometimes I\u2019d feel him sigh and I think I know the reason why.<\/p>\n

He would wake up at night<\/p>\n

And he would have this fear<\/p>\n

Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,<\/p>\n

And he\u2019d be glad to have me near.<\/p>\n

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\nScreenshot<\/p>\n

Stewart then reveals that Beau is dead, and the tears in his eyes show that the pain is still there.<\/p>\n

And there are nights when I think I feel that stare<\/p>\n

And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair<\/p>\n

But he\u2019s not there.<\/p>\n

Oh, how I wish that wasn\u2019t so,<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll always love a dog named Beau.<\/p>\n

Watch the classic TV moment here:<\/p>\n