Monday 14 September 2009

Goodbye Poker



So you're gone.
The whole joyful presence of yours.
Your bad manners. Your funny ears.
Your little tail you always used with big love.
Your habit of punching with your nose when you wanted attention.
Your mad running after my horse. You almost chased him under a train once, do you remember?
You chewed my horse's best bridle. You had a wee in my friend's house but we didn't say anything.
I taught you to crawl like a police dog.








And now you're gone.
The large mass of scraggy hair all over the house.
When I brought you home you were so small I couldn't find you in my bed in the morning.
You would sleep curled up next to my face with your little head pressed firmly on my neck. All the palm size of you. You liked sleeping.
You were possessive. Cheeky. Full of energy. Crazy dog. And you knew you could get away with murder.
If I knew I saw you for the last time I would have given you one more hug. I would have sat with you for a little longer. Stroke your warm head.
But that's not to be. Now, you're gone. Sleep well my friend.

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5 comments

English Rider said...

So Sorry...Damn those paw prints on our hearts.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the lovely poem. He looked to be a wonderful - if feisty! - dog and friend.

HorseOfCourse said...

Oh Wiola, I am so sorry.
Seeing your pictures and reading your post brought back memories of the two boxers I grew up with, long gone now but forever kept in fond memory.
Lovely poem, I will save it. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Thank you all for your comments - it still seems surreal that he won't be there when I go with a visit :(
He was a great dog and spent almost 13 years with us.

HorseOfCourse - he was a boxer cross and I have had a soft spot for those dogs ever since. I found him as a 3.5/4 week (ish) old puppy on the street, he didn't even know how to eat properly and had to be fed liquids from a bottle. We never took any pictures of him back then which is such a shame. He was absolutely tiny.

HorseOfCourse said...

I wondered whether it was.
Both from your description, and from the photos.
Boxers are marvellous dogs, always ready for some fun.
And they make the cutest puppies too!

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