Written for me on the death of my beloved yellow Labrador by my Mum, Mrs Senga Quirk. Thank you with all my heart Mum.

Hair that shines like gold sunlight, eyes like coal as dark as night.
A button nose that crinkles up, so small and helpless wants picked up.
Growing stronger everyday, looks at me in a loving way.
Eager to please, eager to know all I can teach you, watching you grow.

As night closes in beside me you sleep, I tell you my troubles, my secrets you keep,
but it seems to me you understand you just reach out, you touch my hand.
What did I do before you came?, hearing you answer when I call your name.
You’re just a delight in all you do, and I’ll love you always my whole life through.

So gentle, so loving, so quiet and shy, the years so swiftly roll on by.
We’ve had good times, we’ve had good fun, cool forest walks in the summer sun.

One cold February I told you no, when into the sea you wanted to go.
I called you to come back to me but with the waves so high you could not see.
I saw you struggle, I saw you sink, I dove straight in I didn’t think.
Those icy waters wouldn’t be your grave, my life I’d give for you to save.

That time has long since gone and went, much happier hours we both have spent,
but now your twilight years have come, I think of all the things we’ve done.
Your golden hair is not the same, you sometimes miss me call your name.
Still gentle, loving, quiet and shy I treasure the years that’s all gone by.

Your tail still wags to show you care, it’s tufted end with twisted hair.
Your head you rest between your paws, sad droopy eyes, grey whiskered jaws.

Your warty feet, your lumpy leg, your hair in every room you shed
in a hundred years no doubt, “I’m scooched” you’ll hear somebody shout.
This gift that Mum has given me will last through all eternity.
Loyal, faithful, honest and true, no words can say how I love you.