Tess

[RonB.]

      G'day all,
      Have just joined the site, did put a few posts and have a chat with some of you on Frank Daniels
      old site. Also I have been enjoying much of the poetry here, all very good. This poem is about our old
      dog, who sadly we had to have put down recently. A good innings though, she was seventeen.
                     
                    TESS.

I recall that day so easy, although sixteen years ago,
You were kennelled in Katoomba pound and waiting for death row,
With malnourished frame supporting such a coat of scruffy parts
When your quivering smile of affection, overwhelmed our hearts.

German Shepherd, Border Collie cross your gene mix we were told
And your age was roughly estimated at being twelve months old,
Though your sorry state was testament to mankinds cruelty
An instant decision meant; a better life was soon to be.

Now alas sweet girl you have gone and the memories flash back
As for Sixteen years we shared the journey down lifes changing track,
Early years so timid, though a canine trait proved all not bad
When adopted by our old dog, as the pup she'd never had.

You were always best of mates, you were the leader and the led,
Fascinating how her habits soon instilled inside your head,
Self-esteem emerged in time and oh! how great to see you run,
Marks of Symmetry, ears swept back, like the bullet from the gun!

So fleet footed, so healthy now and that coat, it would shine like silk
Black and tan-like honey, snowy chest colour of purest milk,
Contentment and faithfulness, from your eyes like a soft beam shone
Insecurity all but forgotten ...Pound memories, gone!

A dog probably best described, as 'always part of the place'
Whether barking at a stranger, or on the ball in a chase.
And then as you aged and having, all the aches associated
Appearance belied years, but your territory remained stated!

And just what is it about an old dog, that somehow creates
An impression of attained wisdom that obviously states,
Albeit, in a condensed form, they make you feel it ring true,
That they have experienced all the years that we have yet to do!

Sadly now girl you've gone, as old dogs inevitably do
And so fortunate, we were, for that Sixteen years having you,
As a faithful dog's companionship, is a value measured
Meaning thus, your memory sweet girl, shall always be treasured!

                                                       R.B.May '07.

[James]

Good day Tess I feel I know you from Franks old site I keep trying to get on with no luck . That was a nice write will be watching for more .Welcome to the site James

[RonB.]

G,day James, Thanks for the welcome and comment, Sorry about the confusion over the name though, caused by the way I printed things I can see now, but my name is Ron,  and Tess is the title of the poem. (being the dogs name).
  Hope to be able to post more when time permits.
   Cheers mate
    Ron.

[zondrae]

Hi Ron and James,
The ABPA has opened a forum now.

[James]

Thanks for the info Zondrae I will try again to-day. I see you have done a Kym with your avatar great James

[the mad mare]

Hey Zondrae, I like your piccie!  I'm gunna try to update mine too - let's see if this works ...

Kym.

[Irene]

Hey, what's with all the glamour pics?!? Don't make it so hard for the rest of us!!!! 

Ron
Great to see a new name on the forum - it has been pretty quiet here lately. We're lucky we have Bernie on line to keep up the regular postings and give everyone their daily poetry fix!!!!

Dogs are wonderful animals aren't they? (Almost as good as horses!!) And so sad to have to make the decision to put them down. We have an old dog that I don't think will be around for too much longer. Certainly not looking forward to the day we have to take her to the vet.

Keep on posting

Catchya
Irene

[zondrae]

morning all,

Thanks for the comments on the photo. It's not a glamour pic. its just fuzzy and black and white. Wayne took it in the back yard in front of the Apricot tree. I fiddled with it a bit in Picasa and changed the exposure a bit That's all. He is a good photographer and usually gets the best shots at family events. As I had a few people wanting photos for different reasons we took some current ones. We had to take about 60 shots to get a few decent ones.

 Now Kym, she has the goods to take a real glamour shot.

[the mad mare]

Oh my gosh - if only Zondrae could hear me laughing right now!  I lost my looks many years (and three children) ago.  I decided to take that photo off because if any of you ever get to meet me, I mightn't look much like that any more.  The face is rounder, the bags under the eyes are baggier, I wear glasses and I don't  have that much hair at the moment - all up, I guess I'm looking pretty ugly these days.  Who cares?  I don't!

So anyway ... I decided it might be a better idea to put up a photo of the cover of my new book - yay!  It's ready at last - well almost, give me two or three more weeks, but it's gone to the printers.  It's called Wild Brumby Heaven and I think it's better than my first book.  Glossy cover, nice shiny pages, much prettier picture on the cover.  I was very lucky to have the lovely Irene proofread and critique it for me (thank you again Irene - you picked up some things that slipped by me!), so I'm very excited!!!

See ya',

Kym.

[zondrae]

Kym,

As I always told my kids when they were growing up... Pretty lasts about 5 minutes if there is no soul behind it. I've not met you YET but I know you are beautiful.  Me I'm plain but my grandkids and kids love me, (and my darling boyfriend/husband of 40 years) who can ask for more.

[Bernard de Silva]

G'day Ron,
              Welcome, Mate.
                                   Good to see some enjoyable reading as an intro...a fair dinkum approach much appreciated.
                                    Keep 'em coming Mate,
                                                                  Bernie.

[the mad mare]

Yeah sorry Ron - welcome!!!  Us girls got caught up nattering about piccies and stuff, you know how us girls are.  Anyway, good on ya, welcome to our happy little group, and we look forward to more poems from you ...

See ya',

Kym.

[tomchap]

G'Day Ron,

Welcome from me too. I think most of us have been through the loss of a canine friend, and relate to your post very well.

And girls, don't worry about what the pic looks like, it's who lives there—the real you—is more important.

I think I posted a short verse about that a month or so ago.

And thanks Bernie for keeping these wheels turning slowly in the quiet times—much appreciated.

Cheers


Tom

[tomchap]

Kym,
Your pic on page 2 of the ABPA mag looks ok anyway.

Cheers

Tom

[the mad mare]

Hoy, WHAT??  I haven't seen the ABPA mag yet  -  why is my photo in there??