One Dog And His Man

Some dogs call them master, but I always called mine ‘Dad” I haven’t seen him in so long, perhaps I drove him mad For when that car bumped into him and knocked him off his feet Some people took my dad and left me standing in the street I never saw him after that… was everything my fault Did he wash his hands of me, I cannot bear that thought They put me in a place with other dogs locked up in cages I barked a lot at first but I was there for simply ages It took a while but I accepted Dad had let me go I guess I wasn’t up to scratch although I’ll never know Then, one day a couple said, “We can’t leave him behind.” And they were nice; alas, they weren’t the dad I hoped I’d find I never would deny the gift of this my newfound home Without my lovely humans I’d be caged or left to roam I’ve never been ungrateful for the love they’ve shared with me Yet every single time we walked, my dad I hoped to see But that was many years ago and we’ve had fun and hugs They even have my picture printed on their coffee mugs These days our walks are shorter and although they’re still quite fun My aging bones make walkies slow; I certainly can’t run I sometimes see my people looking at me like they’re sad I’m glad we’ve been there for each other… but I miss my dad It’s strange that since I woke I seem to have new strength today But now I see that other ’me’ which means I’m on my way Before I was adopted Ron Rottweiler told me that - When your time is done you’ll see yourself still on your mat Your humans will be sad because you had to go away. I always hoped I’d see my dad again before that day In this new state I know much more than I had known before I know that there’s a bridge to cross but I want something more Before I cross to what comes next and set my spirit free I want to find my dad so he’s the final thing I see I know now where I lived and it’s a long, long way to go But wait, I see my favourite toy and hear a voice I know… I turn to see the rainbow bridge and yonder rainbow light A figure stands in silhouette and yet an awesome sight The figure walks towards me in its own familiar way It reaches out its hand to me and then I hear ‘him’ say, “I’ve waited all these seven years - the angels think me mad - We’ll cross that bridge together for I’ve always been your dad.”