There was a man who owned a dog
and worked each day so hard
and when he finally made it home
dog waited in his yard

He’d lost his wife
so many years
his home an empty place
but faithful dog
was always there
brought cheer to
deep creased face

And while the food was meager
And while the nights were cold
And though the wind blew thru the cracks
And though they both grew old

There still was joy between them
a scratch on furry ear
they shared their meals
they shared their love
and brought each other
cheer

And one day the man grew deathly ill
he passed in mid of night
the dog beside him all that time
and through the mornings light

An older friend did find him
the dog still at his side
his lifeless hand
upon its head
and yes – the dog
it cried

And when they laid him in the ground
the dog was there to see
and never strayed from master’s grave
refused to go
or flee

I fed that dog
as others did
it broke my heart to see
in rain or cold
just lying there
til death, too
set him free

We buried him
by his master’s side
a small stone by his head
“Here lies a dog
“most faithfully . . .
“man’s truest,
“dearest friend"

(Not my poem)