Today the family lost a beloved friend and

Today the family lost a beloved friend and companion

A quirky always hungry English pointer called Dudley.

For you Dudley.

The eyes never lie

Mischief twinkle dulled

Blued by the passing

Of days

Spindled legs bowed

Every step a test

Of character

Arthritis more of a bitch

Than the dog next door

Spinal spurs

Have replaced thigh muscles

With

Broken glass

Restricting the pleasure

Of a daily walk

Tender joints, more

Sensitive to pain

Than can be hidden

By a wagging tail,

Scrape together

Every time

You rise up to greet

The people you love

Soon it will be over

Goodbye old friend

You need release

It will not be easy

The joy of loving

Unconditionally

Is all that pulls us through

The hard times

And the pain of losing

A loved one

Will last a lifetime.