THE DOG WALK.

 Cold nose, warm fur, and a happy disposition every day.

I walk a friend’s black Labrador with few words required to say.

A whistle or a name call, Bobby is his name,

Will distract his attention to mine and he attends to my game.

This time an errant golf ball has strayed out of bounds

Down a steep incline to the river, a playground for all hounds.

Bobby sniffs the golfer’s scent as he placed the ball onto the tee

His swing was rather faulty and with disbelief their eyes did see

The ball got ever closer to the fence marked Out of Bounds

It clipped the golden gorse bush, causing from the tee the groans

Across the path then down it fell and landed near the river

The men approached, I told them Bobby will retrieve it and one said “Well I never”

Bobby bounded down the hill and jumped into the water

Bracken snapped and birds flew off, his pace got even hotter

His jaws retrieved the ball and he sped up with his prey

The grateful blushing golfer smiled, Bobby made his day.

Yet less savoury confrontations have got me off the hook

The tales of Bobby make me wonder if his life could fill a book.

Bobby’s owner is a Police Woman, and that’s why he’s called Bobby

And as she’s at work and her husband too, walking Bobby is my hobby.

One day down by the river, it was getting somewhat dark

Three men the worse of drink, were up for every lark

Bobby holds no grudges, but I must confess I felt some fear. 

A timely bark made them halt, and two then dropped their beer.

“Is he friendly?” they enquired and here I saw my chance

“He can be” I suggested, but still they did advance.

“He’s a Police Officer’s dog.” Now that cannot be denied.

Yet still I feared their stance. “He sniffs for drugs.” I conveniently lied.

On hearing this, they turned around unsteady on their feet.

One by one they ran away with guilt to speed retreat.

So Bobby serves a purpose bringing order, love and fun

And if I had four feet, I’d join him on his run.

I’d like his warm fur coat, for all weather conditions too

No wondering what to wear each day often makes me feel blue

But a cold nose? No, that would not be so neat

Nor dry dog biscuits or tins of jellied meat.

So let’s just honour what we call Man’s Best Friend

On each dog, no matter which breed, we really can depend

To cheer us up when we are sad and greet us on returning

A dog makes family life complete and ever calming.

So Bobby, please remember, that we both enjoy our walkies

In rain and sleet and sunshine, in sandals, boots and wellies

And when at night we settle down. You in your basket, me in mine too