ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Sorry Maureen, this will probably bring you unstuck, but this lot of prompts gave me the inspiration to tell you of my best mate, who I lost two years ago.

MANS BEST FRIEND
I recall now that day at the shelter,
your playfulness drawing me in,
I knelt down and gestured you ''come boy,''
your tail wagged, my heart said ''you win''.
From four other puppies I chose you,
your eyes seemed to say ''I'm the one,
I'll lay by your feet,
make your life complete,
repay all your love by the ton''.

You were part Border Collie, part who knows,
oh so gentle, so easy to train,
when you'd run you would sometimes look clumsy,
like your legs were too slow for your brain.
The children would wrestle and roll you,
In their eyes you could never do wrong,
they'd fight for the right,
of your warmth at night,
the bond that you shared was so strong.

Friendship beyond price you delivered,
your faithfullness second to none,
when trying to scold you for digging,
those brown eyes would bring me undone.
You loved to play games in the garden,
go fetch, chase a ball, roll and run,
then leap to the sky,
frizbee flying high,
retrieve, then I'd tell you ''well done''.

When I noticed your health started fading,
so quickly it seemed, overnight,
with courage you underwent testing,
a tumor had cost you your sight.
Your future was bleak now they told me,
no more would you run, chase a ball,
amid blurring tears,
realizing my fears,
the vet said I made the right call.

Returning to home was the hard part,
with traces of you everywhere,
I buried you there in the garden,
right next to my favorite old chair.
Sometimes when I'm sitting, reflecting,
I sense you are there by my side,
my hand reaches out,
from habit, no doubt.
In my heart you will always abide.

Sue Pearce

Always hard to loose such a friend Sue.


Funny how we never seem to get poems like that about CATS.

Then they say you own a dog but a cat own's you.


Lovely sentiments Sue.


Ps I've got a little statue in the back yard almost buried in one garden where the grandsons little dog ( LA LA )is buried.

Can never forget as it is there every time you garden.

Bob

That is beautiful Sue. Anyone who has loved a dog will relate to it. Sob.

What was the dog's name?

Heather

Thanks Heather, dogs name is at the end of the poem, Sam.
Sue

Ooops, sorry, couldn't see through the tears!

Heather

Not undone Sue - it's part and parcel of life and you remember Sam with love and smile and recall the joy he bought and that is what it is all ablout.

Think you missed a word out there???? - You were part Border Collie, which part who knows,

It is a lovely poem Mate

Cheers

Maureen

Thanks for the comments Maureen, yes he was a dog in a million, just havn't been able to go down that road again, my kids have been pushing for me to get another dog, it just hasn't happened.
No, I didn't miss a word, my meaning was ''he was part Border Collie, part who knows''. His mother was Border Collie, not sure who his Dad was. But I also get what you mean't as well.
Cheers Everyone, your comments are appreciated.
Sue

Sue, Looks like you are going really well with the rythm of the verse.

When my dog died I immediately went all round the house and removed any trace of her.
I still mourned for quite a long time.

Neville and Sue - you should think about getting another dog. When you lose one it breaks your heart - I know that, but they leave you knowing that you have room in your heart for one more. One who may have been ill treated, is old, or just unwanted but so desperate for a family and some love and in return they will repay you in kind. You have been vetted so to speak by a 4 legged heart stealer and passed the test with flying colours...don't let your old mate down, go find another dog and make it yours. Your life will be all the richer. Life without a dog is not life - it is existence.

My dog loves me soooo much she tries to help with the housework by polishing the floor with her bum !!!!


My other old dog we nicknamed Carpenter cause he used to do little jobs around the house !!!

Robert