Tess

Reading Kazz's post reminded me of a dog our family owned a long time ago, so I thought I'd record a few memories of her.

Tess was the first dog our family ever owned, she was abandoned as a puppy tied to a shed on an allotment, she was so sweet. She was just a mongrel but she was the best friend ever for us kid's.

She never had a lead as she wouldn't leave our sides when we we're out, we'd take her to Swanshurst park in Birmingham for a prank where the men were all lined up fishing, as soon as she saw the water she was off down the hill and with a huge splash she'd dive in and swim round merrily, tail wagging ten to the dozen with the fishermen cursing her and us.

I can never remember a time when Tess wasn't with us on our adventures, building dens over the railway line fishing down the cut with Tess swimming up and down, even if we walked up the shop on an errand she would follow us and sit patiently outside, to then follow us back home.

She never asked for anything, but she gave me so much, even now after so long she still brings tears to my eyes, but they're happy tears because my life was so much richer for her being in it.

Tess went to the bridge when she was 14 and I was 21, that was many years ago, and still she has a special place in my heart.

Even though my body’s gone
please know I'm always near,
When you call the other dogs
I'll be the first to hear

I'll be the first to reach you then
I'll be the first to heel
Of the wet noses on your cheek
Mine will be the first you feel

I'm always first inside at night
I'm curled up on your bed
And when you go to sleep and dream
I'll be right there in your head

You might not see me running by
you might not feel my kiss
but when the pack all come inside
I'll be the first you'll miss

I was the first to leave your side
I was the first you lost
But look outside on a winter morn
there’s my footprints in the frost

I'll never leave
I'll be right here
each and every single day
and though you might not see me
your guardian dog I will stay

That is a very emotional poem. Dont call me a sissy but I nearly cried after reading the 4th line... and I wasn't even thinking about our old dog, I was thinking how much Tess meant to you.
Take care Rob, I think if she could write she wouldve written that exact poem..

Robert, that is such a lovely poem....

libs

Azz u made it to the 4th line, I only made it to the second and then I did cry. That's such a nice poem Rob

Awww Rob

What a great poem. I'm sitting here thinking about our first dog Bonnie.

She went to the bridge when she was 11 and I was 26.

She was the best dog and so easy.

I really miss her.

What a lovely poem Robert