Old Blue

I’ve been lost for days now, an’ all the country looks the same. I’ve been walkin’ ‘round in circles, an’ found my footsteps once again. Me ‘tucker’ bags been empty for, three days an’ there’s this ragin’ thirst. I feel my tethers at its end. I can only fear the worst. I must keep these tired legs strugglin’ on toward the mirage up ahead. I pass the bones of sheep an’ roo’s, an’ quietly shudder at the dead. There’s not a livin’ thing around, ‘cept ‘Old Blue’ at me feet, he’s lookin’ more like mutton now, an’ good enough to eat. I stumbled to a creek bed, where red gums offered shade, with one of my last three matches, a little fire was made. ‘Old Blue’ looked bravely up at me, he knew there’s nought to eat. And I’m sure my old dog realised, he was the only meat … ‘Old Blue’ laid beside the campfire, but was lookin’ pretty scant, for he never had his coat on now. He couldn’t bark or pant. I thanked him in a sobbin’ grace … cut slices off him with a knife. A real mate was me old dog ‘Blue’. I know he saved me life. ‘Old Blue’ deserves a medal, for the dedication he has shown. He’d know that I was upset now, ‘cause I hate eatin’ on me own. Old memories came floodin’ back, now I’m full I feel so sad, as I recall the good times, ‘Old Blue’ and I have had. I stared into the glowin’ embers, an’ watched ‘em slowly die. With what was goin’ through me head, a tear fell from me eye, I sadly eyed the little pile that had built up on the stones … Thinkin’ ‘Gee I wish that Blue was here … he would’a loved them bones’.