Friendship

The came as young pups to families, after others like them had gone, after tears from sad reddened eyes had dried.

Some came from neighbours three doors down, or from best friends that lived on the other side of town.

From milk bars and butcher shops, by signs in the windows that said “Pups to giveaway Black brindle and brown

As they grew up, some were dressed in dolls clothing and pushed around in old prams, by little sisters, playing grownup ladies, shopping in town.

Others would go with big brothers as part of a tight knit clan, and swim and play all day in rivers and dams

They were swept from back steps and verandas by mothers with straw brooms, for things they have done, or just for taking up to much room

They were scolded by Dads for chewing up his best brown shoes, not really knowing what they had done; to them it was just a bit of fun

Some lived in suburbs, some worked hard in vast dry places, some slept under stars or hid in cool bushes, some slept under trees, and of course, they all scratched at fleas.

They would bark at each other, most times for no reason at all, they came pedigreed, mongrel, big, medium, hairy, and small.

More times than not, they were a real handful to look after, but that was their lot

They would always chase cats, and odd times catch and kill a wayward rat

Children grow up and quickly move away, they would only grew older and far less bolder

They would hide under houses, know every sound, and liked to be alone when grandchildren were around

Their clan eventually becomes smaller, just Mum, Dad and dog; they now are all linked together by an unexplainable bond

Sadly, they leave our world; knowing, their time has come, by loving memories and tears that would flow, by grown up sisters, and big brothers, but usually just by Dad and Mum

No more young pups from neighbour’s three doors down, or from friends from the other side of town, for sadly, they too have gone, knowing by tears from family, it was their time to go.

None will now come from milk bars and butcher shops, by signs in the windows that said ‘Pups to giveaway Black brindle and brown’

P.M.Oleson 22/1/2014