Smokey - Faithful Friend To the End

sMOKEY - FAITHFUL FRIEND TO THE END As we grew older, Smokey and I, Our lives would change a bit. As a teen there was school and friends, In the kitchen he'd quietly sit. All alone he'd wait for me, To finally end my day, And come and spend some time with him, And maybe gently play, A little game of dangle the string, Or scratch behind his ears, I didn't know, how could I know, He neared the end of his years. At night I did my homework, At kitchen table with him. He lay across my books and watched, And rubbed my head with his chin. Then when I was just eighteen, I came home from a swimming date. He staggered 'cross the yard to me, I almost was too late. He laid him down right at my feet, I took him in my arms, He closed his eyes and then was gone, And with him all his charms, That he displayed throughout his years, My buddy, playmate, friend. He remained so all his life, Faithful to the end. Judy Ball (There will just never be another Smokey)