The Farmers Dog

The Farmers Dog

Was hauled to my front door by a neighbour in a hurry

"I found your dog in the road" he said

"It's not my dog and I have the dentist"

vanished in the hiss of the gravel as he went

leaving the little terrier lunging into my house with gusto

Dogs always turn up at mine

Perhaps its because I'm home

or its the magic of having the sort of face

people tell lifes stories to on trains

One little borderer sat on the back step like Greyfriars Bobby

convinced it lived at mine

And oddly the owners before me had lost one just like that

This time the dog had a tag and after a bit

a man returned my call and explained

He had searched for this dog for hours in the night

His wife was very ill and the dog ran away

when he went to tend the sheep

It missed company so badly

when he was with his wife at the hospital

Dog was a rescue and too naughty for anyone to  offer to help.

His copybook was obscured with blots

But he was a lovely dog and the farmer was fond of him

Dog talked the whole time he was with me

He put his paws on my knees to be petted and talked earnestly

"its happening again to me, why me, why me again

My people keep going and then I get lost where am I now?

I was going somewhere, where was it?

My soul said "offer to hold the dog whenever  that is useful ,the poor man's wife is dying"

Common sense said" that dog needs more dog knowledge than you have."

So I made enquiries about an animal sanctuary in case they could

offer respite 

and offered tea as well.

There is a line drawn between kindness and stupidity.