Poor old bloody old Dog!
I still remember falling instantly
In love with the clever eyes in that photo,
When I browsed the shelter's Puppies page
The day we buried Previous Dog.
Couldn't see why two adopters
Didn't love a clever-but-snappy girl,
Who ringbarked the furniture
With incoming adult teeth.
You weren't even supposed To be MY Dog:
Guess we never asked you first.
You saved my life a couple of times,
And nobody was allowed through you
To get to me or your Mum.
I must confess, your Go Away Face
Worked, and I have to pity
The people who never saw
The lovely self you kept
For your family, and your fans at the Vet's.
It's probably the last time
We've heard "The Song Of My People"
As we come in the door...
Just like finding you,
Losing you was sudden.
From sitting by me on the couch
To emergency care and very bad news -
Was it only an hour?
For that matter
Was it only ten years?
Whatever, Pup, it's forever far as I'm concerned.
I kept some hairs from your white tail tip,