Tuggalong Bob

[Maureen K Clifford]

Tuggalong Bob

You laughed when you saw him, this tiny wee scrap
of black and white fur edged with straw.
He sat on the grass and he hadn’t a care
for he knew that’s what gardens were for.
He’d dug up the mulch ‘neath the roses of red
and he’d buried there the biggest bone.
So now he sat guarding his dirty great prize
which he’d found and now claimed as his own.

On the wooden verandah where everyone left
their work boots, muddy wellies, and shoes,
were some chewed plastic forks, and a moth eaten toy
and a broken strap – all his to choose.
Each one was a treasure and precious to him
though he certainly tried to ignore,
the rag in the bucket along with the mop
used to wipe puddles up from the floor.

He was only a baby and mad as a snake
and quite often he chased his own tail.
Just give me a minute and catch it I will
though he circled to no great avail.
Then he saw up the driveway a big shiny Ute
approaching at ponderous speed.
He was spitting the dummy right there at the fence,
fur erect, though there was no great need.

It was only a neighbour just, coming to call
and hoping to chat for a bit.
And she gave him a scratch and a pat and a treat
which was an immediate hit.
At the back of the house was his Mum’s studio
she was there right now throwing a pot.
With the wheel going round in slow time as she worked
on the clay, placing pattern and dot.

It was time for a break anyway, so they walked
up the path to the old cottage door,
where his treasurers were strewn in a tasteful display
on the worn boards of the timber floor.
He sat there and gazed at her with loving eyes
that were brown and would just melt your heart.
She noted the pair of shoes chewed round the edge
and the broken strap – now torn apart.

She could have gone crook but she’d had pups before
and she knew he’d abandon one day
his wilful destructiveness, once he was working.
It was such a small price to pay.
She gave him a cuddle and rubbed his pink belly
he wriggled and squirmed in great joy
and his little tail wagged when he heard her voice say,
‘Bob you’re Mums really beautiful boy’.

And everything then was just right with his world.
Oh it was just as right as could be.
He knew that she loved him and he was secure
this was home – she was his family.
And this story ends happily. Some stories do
and Tuggalong Bob became feted
at local dog trials – he was known far and wide
and for his genes many a bitch waited.

And the world went full circle and time moved along,
the sun rose, the moon set cross the land.
Bob fathered a litter with Tuggalong Bess
a pregnancy somewhat unplanned.
But each little Pup found a home, fetched good prices,
many wanted these pups. Folks were keen.
But they kept one, a tiny wee black and white scrap,
who bred true to the Tuggalong gene.

Maureen Clifford © 06/11

[worddancer]

Hello again Maureen,
I love your little dog, and your story.

Thank you for still being here on ABPA

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good to see you back as well Mate - you've been absent a while. Glad you liked my dog one - nothing much changes still a passionate animal nut

[Irene]

Another one of your beautiful dogs Maureen???
Sounds like a great little fella!!

It always amazes me when people get puppies and then proceed to go crook at them for doing what all puppies do!!! Surely they know when they get one that they will be looking at puppy behaviour for a good while - and just learn to put things away, or sacrifice part of your garden, etc,etc!!!

Catchya
IRene

[Maureen K Clifford]

No sorry Irene didn't know him until about 8am this morning when I was waiting for Heather and Darren to arise and greet the dawn. Just thought I'd write something to stir Bob a bit but then it morphed into this bloke - he's is kinda cute though. He was just waiting to get out I reckon

[Neville Briggs]

I got taken in recently by a cute little black pup, she enjoyed me scratching her belly and round her ears and she chewed on my hand with those needle teeth. The owner informed me that she was a rottweiler pup next time I see her I might be very cautious.

[Maureen K Clifford]

No need to be Neville - I am sure she will remember you - and greet you with a wag and a lick. You have nothing to fear but fear itself

[Neville Briggs]

I went to visit a workmate once at his home, he had a German Shepherd pup. I accidentally trod on the poor little thing making it yelp.
It was a few months before I visited again. When I arrived, this great lupine creature came bounding arond the corner, raised up on it's hind legs, put it's front paws on my shoulders and looked me in the eye. " Better watch where you put those big feet...mate " it said, with a faint flicker of a smile around it's black lips. AAAH

[Bob Pacey]

hhhhmmmmmppp


Thanks Maureen


Bob