For ‘Bud’

Is There a Country, Lord, where thou dost keep
A place reserved for dogs that fall asleep?
Large airy kennels, yards, for hiding bones,
A little river chattering over stones,
And wide green fields for those that never knew
A smoky town; an old worn rug or two
Before a fire, where sparks do not fly out-
Sparks are such nasty things to have about!
I like to think there is and I pray
For a dog of mine that died today.
He was so full of fun, not very wise
the puppy look still in his eyes
But he was very dear, he’d come to me
And rest his soft black nose upon my knee.
Thou knowest him ,one night not long ago
He tramped with me across frozen snow;
And there beyond the wood peaceful and still,
We met thee walking on moonlit hill.
Lord keep him safe wherever he might be
And let him always think of me,
That I may hear, when I pass through the dark,
Thy soothing voice, then a friendly bark.

Anon.

Found on a stone erected on the Old Owl house estate
Lamberhurst.Kent

Glenys, thank you. That is lovely. I think at times we think just too much of our dogs, they leave such big holes when they go.

Very best wishes, John