Dougie, bounding, full of beans,
Runs through the bedroom door.
Exuberant his form careens,
Across the parquet floor.

He slips and slides to a spinning stop,
Sprawled flat beneath the bed.
A small untidy panting mop,
With sweetest lovely head.

I scoop and hug his fluffy frame,
Animated nose to tail.
Every morning, just the same,
Delightful without fail.

We begin our day with a bite to eat,
Then I ready myself for work.
Dougie racing round my feet,
All bounding and berserk.

Out quickly for the first day's walk,
Just up and down the street.
To each a yap of doggy talk,
As Dougie's friends we meet.

Then left alone a little while,
I pop back home for lunch.
Greeted by his doggy smile,
We share a cuddle-scrunch.

Then home again to end the day,
A night indoors together.
Tea, and safe at home to stay,
From work and world and weather.

A last quick walk through quiet streets,
Before it's time for bed.
This lovely moment quickly fleets,
As we stroll with little said.

Dougie curls up tight to sleep,
On an old deep-cushioned chair.
In his favourite blanket which I keep,
Never anywhere but there.

I sit nearby until he drifts,
Away to where who knows.
With slow breath falls his fur then lifts,
As off to sleep he goes.

Over many lovely years,
My Dougie has with me shared.
Its many varied shifts and gears,
We're so wonderfully paired.

A constant ever-present friend,
Faithful, loyal, never judging.
Demeanour anything would mend,
Never jealous or begrudging.

In that I knew his mien so well,
I'd notice now and then.
Just little things I'd quick dispel,
But then notice once again.

A fleeting bug, I recall I thought,
Just an off day like us all.
A little thing he's probably caught,
No need the vet to call.

He's slept a little longer,
And walked a slower pace.
Should have been a little stronger,
Would jog where once he'd race.

I imagined this just the signs of age,
When the symptoms yet persisted.
That he'd turned another life-book page,
The facts denied, resisted.

Last weekend, springtime at its best,
We shared it in the sun.
The trees and shrubs, new season dressed,
Years life again begun.

On Monday with some leave to take,
We went out for the day.
But first, a side trip we would make,
To the vet along the way.

Dougie always liked being here,
The staff were all so kind.
A place of friendliness, not fear,
We thought a lucky find.

A cheery ruffle of his coat,
As the assistant checked us in.
A registration; briefest note,
Then a tickle of his chin.

Dougie sat with quiet grace,
Whilst waiting to be seen.
A trusting look upon his face.
Composed and quite serene.

Escorted to the clinic room,
The vet crouched down to see.
Careful not to glower and loom,
Or a scary prospect be.

Talking gently as he did,
He lifted Dougie up.
Concerns, experience well hid,
As he scanned my little pup.

I explained the cause of my concerns,
As he listened to his chest.
'Not quite himself, some funny turns,
Just not quite at his best.'

Once done, the vet sat back and sighed,
'It's not good, I'm afraid.
'A chronic syndrome and much beside',
As with Dougie's ears he played.

'No treatment in its latter stage,
Just palliative care.
A disease of Dougie's advanced age,
With no good future, to be fair.'

'He may suffer if you leave him be,
Just pills, and pureed food.
I know the course if it were me',
The rest I quick construed.

Dougie glanced as if to say,
It's ok, I understand.
I've enjoyed my every doggy day,
By your loving, caring hand.

I pondered deep the choice to make,
That life would so much change.
The decision now I had to take,
My world would rearrange.

A day I'd always hoped would come,
When both were well prepared.
That to grand old age he'd slow succumb,
From a sudden ending spared.

I cuddled Dougie in my arms,
And held him close and tight.
Attempting to appease my qualms,
Though I knew this course was right.

Then with the briefest of injections,
And, as if resigned now to his fate.
I gave the last of my protections,
To my loving canine mate.

And then, all life quick ebbed and gone,
His body still, but warm.
Regret I thankfully had none,
For this sleepful little form.

For our time together had been the best,
Companionship so strong.
But I knew his time would come, to rest,
Having lived life full and long.

But with broken heart I sobbed no less,
For the suddenness of the end.
And couldn't contain a deep distress,
For my dearest little friend.

Together, we'd planned a nice day trip,
Which with joy would soon have flown.
Never expecting, that life would flip,
And I'd return home on my own.

Now the house is quiet and still,
Conspicuously so.
No more with woofiness will it fill,
With Dougie's presence warmly glow.

I appreciate the memories had,
And I'm grateful for them all.
But I know I'll be a long time sad,
When these moments I recall.

No more does Dougie, full of beans,
Run through the bedroom door.
And exuberant, no more careens,
Across the parquet floor.