Scrappy Doodlepip and myself 2015

Scrappy Doodlepip Kelpie x Staffy 30th November 2003 – Present

Greatly Loved.

I have a slogan on one of my designs, that says ‘Being social is overrated‘ and another that simply states ‘Less people you know, less shit you have.” I am not a party animal or a socialite, l have a few quality friends, l am not anti social or anti vocal, but l am selectively social on who l have in my life as close, close friends. My partner is one of my closest human friends, and my dogs have been my closest confidants all the way through the time that l first had dogs. This poem was written for both of my dogs in 2014.  In this case both singular use of She and Her are to be seen as one mind, two dogs.

When people used to see Dora and myself many thought we were an old married couple, such was our bond, and whilst Scrappy and l are also tremendously close, it is in fact my partner Suzanne that shares the incredible bond of friendship and companionship with Scrappy.

Dog owners l feel may appreciate this poem more.

Her Indoors

At my side she has been for a good few years now,
Loyally and lovingly adhered since her vow,
Where she pledged her unerring promise,
To look out for me and me her till her demise,
Through thick and thin we have been together,
Our lives entwined as one and in all weather,

Not once has she anchored any complaints,
Whether indoors or under constraints,
Happiest the most when she and l are alone,
On an afternoon stroll or simply at home,
She is attentive to all and every changing detail,
Of my mood swings and oddities of the typical male,

She is the most loving creature l have ever known,
And not once with all life’s’ changes has she ever moaned,
Expressed her concern of those ‘thought’ not right,
Simply looking on, observing and being polite,
But always, at my side does she stay,
Not leaving for long periods or going astray,

I would be lost without her it has to be said,
First sight she stole my heart and settled in my head,
Knew did we that our souls had set and bonded as one,
Puppy and master from that day on,
Thinks now she is a four legged human,
And treats me with an atypical females’ acumen!

Tolerating all that l do and say, right or wrong,
Her indoors, hogging my bed, but her strength makes me strong,
Sure, an odd couple we do make it’s undeniable,
Getting to know her these years gone has been enjoyable,
Never slipping in her guardians’ role of observation,
Allowing me to better understand myself as a person,

She is l have to say, my most valued and trusted friend,
Because of that, she will be with me till the very end,
Human friends can come and they can go,
Relationships can form and break as we all know,
Your dog is with you for all of their life,
And their companionship rejoin you in ‘your’ afterlife!

© Rory Matier 2014

Dora and myself Summer 2012

Dora Dog The Explorer Wolfhound x Gun Headed Labrador 30th November 2003 – 24th March 2014.

Greatly loved, sorely and still terribly missed.