Good Bye Toby

Poetry Jam and Dverse OLN

none was so loyal
as our noble beast
Toby

babysitter nanny comedian
security guard for the family

always waiting at the gate
ecstatic to see you
when you arrived home
from work

a black ego boost
full of love and devotion
that can only be supplied
by a creature on four legs

a  patient companion playmate for the children
dressed
in an indian headress - residing in a toy teepee
in the childrens' room

wanted by the dog police for stealing
a can of dog food holding down newspapers
at the corner store and barking at the postman

a slave to his cat Miss Daisy Puss
who used to stretch out in his enormous bed
while he shivered on the cold laundry floor
unable to squeeze into hers

whose large head and flapping ears
was a sight to behold  arising out  of a Fiat bambino
open sunroof  like la cathedrale engloutie
with a smile that would light up the universe

and then it was time - a terrible time
to say goodbye to him as we set sail
for foreign shores for a very long time

knowing he was being cared for
by good people
made it a little easier

and time goes by
and time flies by
and time went by

we returned home .

one day
he arrived looking very old and grey
his poor pads cut and blistered
from walking miles and miles

he was dying
wanted to find us to say goodbye
to be with the ones who had left him
behind to follow their dreams

his not very new by now owner
arrived  frantic to collect him

we had to give him back

they say time passing heals all wounds
not this one