BRISTOL, Pa. (AP) - The family of a man who died last week said that when they went to a funeral home to make arrangements for him, they found one mourner already in attendance - a faithful dog.

Polo, a 3-year-old mix of German shepherd, chow chow and labrador, was often seen in the company of Ed Crossan, whose daughter, Donna, owns the dog. Crossan, 73, died after surgery last week. On the day that Theresa Crossan was preparing to make funeral arrangements for her husband, someone let Polo out and no one could find him.

When the family arrived at the Wade Funeral Home about five blocks away, they found Polo pacing back and forth. When Polo disappeared again the next day, Donna Crossan and her 10-year-old son, Brendon Lopez, knew just where to look.

"The first few times, we didn't see him,'' she said. "We decided to try one more time. Sure enough, when we drove into Wade's, Polo came running from the side of the house.'' Brendon said he thinks Polo could smell his missing friend at the funeral home, and Dr. Eric Meihofer, a veterinarian, agrees.

"It was just a dog looking for his pal,'' he said. "It's an amazing story. It shows that the dog was very loyal and loving.''

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's glare on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast,
"I hope it's not late."

Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails to make Mama smile.
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird -- it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true.
He gave me so many great things to chew.
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care.
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book, was sort of yummy.
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy.
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T.P., while running at full speed.
Mom's pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead.
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped -- shook her head, and breathed,
"You're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lighting.
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door.
I love it inside, but outside is best.
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do-
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe.
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.
I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus.

I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss.
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind.
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come!
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun.
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait.
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate.
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse -- the one I abused.
Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked "Amused??"
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble.
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV, and said, "Time for bed."
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head.
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low.
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
and whispered so softly, "My darling, goodnight."

My family brought me home cradled in their arms,
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory,
because I now live in the shelter - without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said I was out of control. and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped one by one, they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew the crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long just to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup
then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left," I heard the workers say,
Does that mean I have a second chance?
DO I GO HOME TODAY?

Sorrow fills a barren space; you close your eyes and see my face
and think of times I made you laugh, the love we shared, the bond we had,
the special way I needed you - the friendship shared by just we two.

The day's too quiet, the world seems older, the wind blows now a little colder.
You gaze into the empty air and look for me, but I'm not there -
I'm in heaven and I watch you, and I see the world around you too.

I see little souls wearing fur, souls who bark and souls who purr
born unwanted and unloved - I see all this and more above -
I watch them suffer, I see them cry, I see them lost, I watch them die.

I see unwanted thousands born - and when they die, no one will mourn.
These little souls wearing fur (Some who bark and some who purr)
are castaways who - unlike me - will never know love or security.

A few short months they starve and roam,
Or caged in shelters - nobody takes home.
They're special too (furballs of pleasure), filled with love and each one a treasure.

My pain and suffering came to an end, so don't cry for me, my person, my friend.
But think of the living - those souls with fur (some who bark and some who purr) -
And though our bond can't be broken apart, make room for another
in your home and your heart.

She lay there, quietly,
a bloody mess of broken bones and tangled fur
The car that hit her gone,
the driver uncaring for a life just ended, and someone said,
"It was just a dog."

Just a dog? I guess that is what she was
to the rest of the world, to everyone but me
and those who knew her, those bright shiny eyes,
eager and looking always for a chance to play,
the quick response to hurt or anger, or fear,
the need to nuzzle, to let me know she cared,
whatever my mood.

Ten years? It seems like yesterday,
the frightened puppy behind a chain link fence,
looking with pleading eyes.
"Please take me home."

How could I refuse and, at the time, thinking
I was doing her a favor. Sometimes
we just don't get things right.

Long walks in the woods, chasing squirrels,
never catching but taking pleasure in the chase.
Dozing by the fire, her head resting on my feet,
such a comfort, just to know she's there.
I pick up her leash and she bounces with pleasure,
tail wagging, eyes dancing. A walk? A ride?
"I'm ready, Dad."

Is this really my girl, this bloody mess?
The tears flow freely, my heart is breaking.
It is hard to remember she was
just a dog.