Jimmy Stewart Reads a Poem About His Dog Beau on "The Tonight Show" - Johnny Carson - 1981

[hardhit11]

Great poem

[Benchpressin1]

We still love you, Jimmy. They just don't make them like you anymore and we are poorer because of it.

[fragilemetal1982]

My dog died today. I didn't lose a pet. I lost a family member. I lost a brother. I lost a loyal companion. I have nothing but the greatest admiration for Jimmy Stewart. Because he gets it and if you have ever lost a dog, you get it too.

[mistrcee]

And we'll always love you, Jimmy.

[hughball]

Robert Louis Stevenson You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.

[Thelizzardcat]

I miss you Jenny. I miss hearing the door creak when I would try and sleep, meaning that you were coming in to sleep with me ;_;

[SouthJerseyGuy1]

Thank you so much Toby,Jake,Pepper,Roofus,Lenny,­and No-Name for being my best friends,always being there for me and to help shape me into the person I am today.I miss you all and I will always love you all.

[TheWhitewhirlwind]

Who the hell are the six people that disliked this?

[Farinadog13]

@TheWhitewhirlwind Heartless, Evil, Senseless People without a Soul. Messengers of Satan.

[stormbird06]

Look up the words 'Class Act' in the dictionary and you'll see Jimmy Stewart's picture posted next to those words. There, I said it.

[waynefoolx]

every time...every fucking time this makes me cry...god I miss you Scooter

[reekaree]

i have never felt more pain in my life than they day i lost my 2 babies.. in all my 33 years that was the first time i had ever had my heart broken.. i have lost family and friends in my life my none of that affected me the way losing samantha janeen and simon alexander did.. god wanted my babies for his own i guess.. until we meet again my sweet babies, i still cry over them every day :( .. 6 dislikes?!? how? 6 people must be allergic to dogs...

[Farinadog13]

@reekaree They are Allergic to Love, Kindness and Sympathy.

[jacaranda777]

everytime i hear this, it brings a tear to my eyes

[MYMICHELLE70]

RIP...I will always love a dog named, Blanco...

[435jmc]

Mr, James Stewart is my favourite actor of all time. Him talking about his dog reminds me so much of my cat who died last September. I'll love her forever, she was my best companion.

[zuzulo56]

A rather intriguing, AND humorous, parody of this, is: NORM MACDONALD's Dog Dies!

[knwngthwrds]

What a beautiful poem from a beautiful man.

[knwngthwrds]

What a beautiful man Jimmy was. I so wish I had existed during these years to have experienced a real icon of cinema and a true man

[tubbysidney]

I miss my old "Bubba" so much. His name was Sidney. Every time I watch this video I well up. I pity those that have never loved a dog.

[sbijan666]

One of the most moving moments in television history . I saw this the night it was originally aired and I am watching it today because my beautiful cat Tiger was killed on January17, 2012

she was run over by a car .

[daniella342]

@sbijan666 I'm so sorry. Rest in peace your beautiful cat Tiger :(

[ptrimblegocfsnet]

This makes me miss my dog so much.

[relmmih6]

My dog is called beau. He does my head in at times, but I wouldn't change him for all the tea in china.

[mrsspanner14]

We lost our beloved dog a month ago, such a sad poem but so beautiful too. :-(

[kboneill1]

That was pretty good.

[tomrotckidd2014333]

wow i love this poem and i love my dogs Jimmy Stewart was a great man.

[IOwnCed]

so many feels :'(

[rolloverriderpgr]

I see Jimmy with tears through my tears and then Johnny and whats he doing but wiping his away too!

[angels4bobseger]

I have this on video. I recorded that when Jimmy was on this show. I have Jimmy's Best loved books of poems. I have a website for Jimmy also on yahoo. This is a favorite of mine. Thank you

[rkinwatauga]

I get a tear everytime I see this. My dog is my family.

[ivomiturhead]

Listened to this with Bon Iver - Flume in the background...

[wargasm007]

It is about his step-son who was killed in Vietnam.

[CoyKiyote]

Love ya Jimmy! Thanks for everything you've given us, from the service in WW2 to this poem and all the laughter.

[zoomorphicrap]

BEAUTIFUL...

[tr0s3ph]

lik dis if u cry evry tim.

[xFunnykills]

My dogs name is bo and i have never held him as tight as i have after i watched this...

[xbloodybitchx]

so sad!

[nynynyny44]

I knocked on his door on halloween, and got to tell him and Gloria how much i loved them and this poem in particular....they could'nt have been nicer, talked to us for about 15 min. gave full sive 3 musketeers.......what a thrill!!

[DeckyStrikesBack]

@nynynyny44 Thats fantastic! You're very lucky!

[UndertakerMistress]

Wow...why are people cryin. I've never had a dog or a pet. so yeah, I guess I can't connect to this.

[MrSicktodeaf]

if you can watch this without shedding a tear then you never had a dog that you held dear

[BattleFighters2]

Listen to the last minute of Inceptions "Time" with the last minute of this video. it put me into more tears. it made it so much sadder.

[dhoerst]

@BattleFighters2 I just tried it, and wow, you're right. The quiet somber tone really adds to the reflecting, mournful finish. RIP Beau. Gotta go hug my dog now..

[msgeminifox]

I love this but it makes me bawl my eyes out every time I see it.  RIP Jimmy Stewart

[davemac39]

Stewart is a class act. I wish they still made em like that.

[maddie021409]

This is so touching.

[jonothedudeguy]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha

[theory816]

LIKE A BEAU

[mr75204]

I'll let you guys get back to your wonderful and intellectually stimulating troll discussion, but if I may...

This is a wonderful story told by one of the greats in Jimmy Stuart. If you have ever owned a dog this hits you like a truck.

[fyybfh]

@mr75204 Well said. Seems the same truck came my way. Wham.

Beau....was a dog named Boo in my life.

She is missed terrribly.

How I wish it weren't so.

I'll always love a dog named Boo.

[Zh1r]

Who's cutting onions?!

[forestcamper]

Sean Connery is off screen.

[UninspiredChoice]

"Never have I felt a love like this before, now only for this dog lying on my floor."

[ramsey5671]

slicksps, u r horrible, this was a great, touching poem, but that just shows yur gonna grow up alone, tell me wen u find yur heart

[DebsSweet]

It's not about being a 'good' poem!

[slicksps]

That has to be the worst poem ever... but as a dog owner, and dog lover, no actor could ever fake the truth Jimmy showed in that reading. Jimmy and Beau now reunited will never tire of that tennis ball! I know a few who will probably love to join in until my passing.

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps poems arent always supposed to rhyme.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 I know poetry doesn't have to rhyme, but Jimmy's has, and he hasn't always chosen the best pairings. The structure is all over the place and his rhythm is constantly changing but there's enough rhythm to suggest it should have been more melodic. Why are people commenting on the first 8 words of my comment and ignoring the last 3 and a half lines of praise for a beautiful reading? @DebsSweet mentioned only the first part, as did @ramsey5671 (who then decided to make it personal)

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Poems are poems. And rhythm and melody don't make a good poem. Fuck off you dumb shit.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 Lol poor Mr Troll, not everyone agrees with you, not everyone has to agree with me, but get over yourself.

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Apparently stating facts is now trolling. Ok. Go back to school you ignorant cunt.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 no swearing and calling names like you're still in the playground is trolling. Disagreeing is human, verbal abuse because you feel insecure and need someone to get mad at you to justify your existence is trolling. It's now past your bedtime, perhaps we'll continue this exchange tomorrow, if I can be bothered to help you feel better.

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Fuck off ya cunt. I know my business. You obviously don't know yours. Sorry that you need to go back to school m8. Now fuck off, before the dingo takes ya.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 I feel sorry for you, I really do. Looking at your channel comments it's obvious you get off on this stuff. You poor little man :'(

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Go back to school where you can learn more about poetry you faggot.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 Lol I've just seen your FB pic where you're dressed like a troll! PMSL!

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Huh m8? I do not even have a facebook. Go troll poetry somewhere else faggot.

[slicksps]

@sasquatch268 It's linked from your youtube user page, along with 141 people you p***ed off. not even a smart troll, bless ya' must be a noob troll

[sasquatch268]

@slicksps Look at this scrub, l2 poetry bro.

[rojonow194]

As George Carlin said: "I love my dog. I love all my dogs. Every dog I ever had. I still love 'em. And in my life, I have had me a bunch of damn dogs. Because you keep gettin' a new one, don't ya? It's true. As life goes on, you keep gettin' one new god after another. That's the whole secret of life. Life is a series of dogs." Great poem. Great video. Made me think of all my dogs, those who are gone and those who are still here. And I cried.

[U2Bjunky]

I remember being a kid and watching this episode air originally and I've never forgotten this poem!!! So so touching. Recently alot of my friends have lost their dogs and even when I lost two of mine this poem always comes to mind. I'll definitely be sharing this soon!!! Bless you so much Mr. Stewart!!

[MrFlashgamer]

When I saw this my dog was beside me on the bed and after the clip I huged him so bad crying my eyes out.

[TheChickenRiceBowl]

I didn't cry but that was pretty heart wrenching.

[BigEyesSmallMouth]

I LOVE Jimmy Stewart. So awesome.

[pablerokid]

THE HORROR

[luvdavy]

I not only bawled...I can cry just THINKING about having bawled over it...LOL. He really was something.

[Tacksman99]

When late night TV was good.

[knoduron]

LOVE Jimmy Stewart... ...what a man.. an honorable man..

[7371JDM]

Most excellent! Jimmy was a great actor and a great human being! I love this poem!

[lttlnative]

Very beautiful! and very True! I just shows the love we have for our pets. they are like family You choose to let them into your heart yes, it hurts when they are gone but the memories of the love you had for each other is forever!

[ZiddersRooFurry]

This man..this wonderfull, wonderfull man...who was a World War II bomber pilot who threw himself into danger..proves that crying isn't for cowards. it takes a brave man to cry. Thank you for this wonderfull video.

[ZZTX]

There are fewer things sadder in a civilized world than a grown man crying over a dog, and there's nothing sadder than when Jimmy Stewart is that man.

[cyrus0007]

@ZZTX You're pathetic. Out of all the things to list in this world that's sad, you think a man crying over his dog tops the cake.  Ignorant fool.

[ZZTX]

@cyrus0007

I said "in a civilized world." I guess I wasn't clear, but I meant to exclude all the daily atrocities and disaster that goes on and contributes to the shithole world we inhabit, and reduce the scope that I addressed to a more mundane level.

You really think that I would believe Jimmy's story tops genocide, the 2004 tsunami, the Norway attacks, etc.?

Then let me rephrase: at a VERY TRIVIAL LEVEL, this is sad. But we're very lucky if we experience nothing worse in our lives.

[AtlasRedux]

@ZZTX You're a horrible person -.-

[hawkeyes39]

"But now he's dead"

Had to suppress laughter here.

[AhilMohan]

*starts playing video*

*reads comments thinks to self "pfft, im not gonna cry like these soft dicks"

4 mins later: *wipes tears from eyes*

[turkqb4]

@AhilMohan me too although i suspsected anything delivered by jimmy stewart would do work on me

[schnitzelmopi]

Sitting here with my dog Beau. Onions... So many onions.

[AtlasRedux]

@schnitzelmopi Yes, those stupid onions, they're everywhere, can't even remember buying them!

[freim93]

How wonderful!! 

[TheDonkyPuncher]

God damn onions in my room again.

[Hafsol65]

Even Carson was on the verge of tears. I miss my dog.

[MarleneCrimson]

5 people must be Darth Vader or something like that!

[semiserioussam]

@MarleneCrimson Even Darth Vader knows the pain of loss.

[Cepxico]

You know when someone says "this will make you cry" or "this is really sad", usually I just ignore it and find that the video is hardly sad. This is the first time I've had tears literally streaming from my eyes.

Well played internet, well played.

[PlanetMan77]

@Cepxico Exactly how I feel. I'm a very sensitive and emotional person but almost everything on the net prefaced with "this will make you cry! And if it doesn't, you[hyperbole about lacking some vital characteristic]!", but I just find them trite or whatever. Not this time....

[HitMeUpOnMyCellPhone]

Pretty good, but didn't make me cry.

[AurynThePaladin]

This is why people shouldn't own pets. Or have kids.  Or partners. Or friends... Forever alone.

[loftymuses]

@AurynThePaladin That just makes you a coward.

[Beleli99]

@loftymuses Beeing afraid of loosing someone makes you a coward? Nice way of thinking.

[loftymuses]

@Beleli99 The definition of fear is cowardice. So clearly, yes.

[Beleli99]

@loftymuses The definition of fear can be many things. Beeing afraid at the right times is like a gift, but i'm gonna get into a deep discussion about this since we're talking about "friendship" . Example: If I have 20 friends and they all die in a plane crash and some other guy has just his family, who will suffer more? I'm not saying having friends is a bad thing, i'm just trying to make my point. Each person has his own way of thinking. If you think you can correct/change my mind, go ahead.

[loftymuses]

@Beleli99 It’s poor philosophy to avoid friendship in order to prevent loss. Friendship and attachment is a necessary part of being human, and a necessary ingredient in human happiness -- if you read Aristotle’s Ethics, for example. It’s akin to saying “I’m not going to attempt anything for fear of failure.” I would have to argue those with goals and passions are a lot more satisfied with their lives than those, say, who live in their parents basement.

[Beleli99]

@loftymuses Sorry, I meant i'm not gonna* .

[AtlasRedux]

@loftymuses

The only cowards in the world, are those who don't embrace their fears and work it.

If you think you don't have any fears, you are a big coward who's afraid too look at yourself.

[Doum92]

@loftymuses Go troll another video

[ZiddersRooFurry]

@AurynThePaladin This is why we need to take chances and love. Despite all the heartache, misery and pain, the reason we feel all that is because of the sheer joy love can bring us. I know in my heart it's worth the price.

[Canadaroxmysox247]

@AurynThePaladin how does your comment have so many likes? come on people?

[tola1302]

very sweet

[humand1saster]

That was wonderful. What a great man.

[JRCrowley]

Dogs are amazing.  Jimmy is amazing. Everything is good.

[motherfucker226]

These onions I'm chopping...Goddamn, these onions...

[nonlight]

Now you know what really great actors draw from

[ReptarLordofTerror]

Tacky.

[EroticCakes]

@ReptarLordofTerror You're a whore nigger.

There, now you know what tacky actually is.

[JRCrowley]

@ReptarLordofTerror You need more love in your life. I hope you find it.

[absolutebit]

i saw that ending coming and thought i was prepared for it, but it still got me.

[xXpensgirlXx]

just...omg :(



[greypilgrim26]

holy crap, my tears...

[muz444]

boy...just came on to see a poem and I end up crying. Cheers.

[phillybird711]

I gotta go hug my dog

[Jakedastudly]

FAP FAP FAP

[evanmooreou]

RIP Maximus

[polyboy94]

When i was a kid, I had a dog named Merlin, named so because of his long, grey beard. I remember one day, i came home and found that somehow, he had been crippled and could no longer use his hind legs. A little while later, we had to euthanize him. I remember feeling guilty for the longest time because i thought he got into my chocolate stash. Not knowing exactly what eating chocolate did to a dog, only vaguely knowing it was poisonous, i blamed myself. RIP Merlin, i will always love you.

[allstarx67]

@polyboy94 It's not your fault. Your dog loved you very much. Spread your love to other, new dogs.

[YNot1989]

I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry.

[sargamjokes]

4 people own cats

[yankslosewoohoo]

@sargamjokes No, some of us aren't ignorant, some of us live with cats AND dogs, maybe some other species as well. But in all, none of us "own" them, as you suggest.

[sargamjokes]

@yankslosewoohoo dude, chill. i was just trying to make a joke by exploiting the domestic pet culture of 'dog people' and 'cat people' and by polarising the said group of people. my sincere apologies to you and others i may have offended as i have clearly taken the joke too far

[RedWalrus16]

I wanna hug that man. :( That was beautiful...

[vi99da]

I miss my dog Akia Henry...RIP, buddy. I miss you...

[BigTunaJKo]

i bet those few who laughed when he read ''and now he's dead'' felt like dicks right after

[RigelSC2]

@BigTunaJKo I think you seriously overestimate your ability to tell how other people think.

[Tinils]

@BigTunaJKo - i think the first few lines of the poem was meant to be humours, and thus people laughed accordingly (i know i did)...i think he means to describe his friend (the dog) as somewhat fun and full of life.

[GhettoDubz]

3 People don't have souls

[IXIELCHINGONIXI]

the onions....so many onions....

[thenfm]

what a pimp: MANHOOD101. COM

[holyunderware2000]

Jimmy Stewart sounds like somebody doing a really good Jimmy Stewart impression.

[ben9345]

Brit teen here. Barely heard of the tonight show let alone, Jimmy Stewart. Hate poetry. Never owned a dog.

Still crying my fucking eyes out. Powerful emotion makes it through anything if it really is genuine no matter who is listening.

[nrgins]

@ben9345 Never heard of Jimmy Stewart?? Dear God, have you never seen "It's A Wonderful LIfe"?? If not, then go out and rent it right now! Or find it online. Seriously.

[navynewfy]

@ben9345 You've missed out then on one of the nicest people ever and a wonderful actor. The world is a lesser place without him.

[merikareagan]

Too sweet. I know just how he feels. I miss my baby Rex everyday. I know he is close by me at all times.

[orodjinni]

the edge... the Edge... THE Edge... THE FUCKING EDGE

[xxafrosamuraixx]

you could hear a pin drop

[rabbit605]

Alright who's the one heartless asshole that disliked this?

[MrScottrw0404]

Jimmy Stewart was and still is a great American treasure. This is one of the most touching poems I've ever heard. No dry eyes by the end. I miss Jimmy and his dog Beau. Amazing.

[shalimarsgirl]

Tears ...!

[rojonow194]

@thevmanvj Don't know why this was flagged as spam. Lovely tribute to Mr. Stewart, his Beau and your Beau.

[potat3o]

MAN TEARS

[greenchert]

Jimmy and Beau are together now.

[JadieLouiseParkes]

What a beautiful man. Great actor, they don't make them like this anymore. I wish he was my Granddad LOL

[dukefanjenni]

To JONLL56

AMEN!!!!!!

[Sunshiine89]

omg this is so sad. i'm crying. i'll be a mess when my dog dies (he's almost a year). i love my dogs!

[myvizsladog1]

@Sunshiine89 I've lost a dog and it is gut wrenching. I just dumped big $ to save a life of another that required surgery but I feared for the worst for days. The pain is awful...but I heard it once before and I've shared it with my kids. The reason it hurts so bad is we were so blessed to love something so much that it can hurt so much. Some people may never get to hurt and I feel sorry for them.

[martyparra]

Hard to believe this clip only has 17K hits. Jimmy was a class act.

[hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm]

Stunning heart-felt poem. The bond between an owner and their dog is just as powerful and special as a bond with a human. Such a shame their lives are so short. Dreading the day my dog passes away...

[GreenManelishi]

George Bailey, the richest man in town !!!

[cynicallefty]

I had to have my dog, my beloved Buddy, put to sleep almost three years ago...I sobbed like a baby that night. I hadn't cried over him again until I saw this. Jimmy was one of our nation's treasures

[JONLL56]

Ronald Reagan during that period. I'm just pointing out a REAL American hero who didn't brag or try to capitalize on his service to his country. Green Beret hell.