A Tibetan Terrier Called Honey Poem by David Pass

I came home tired from work and late
And found we had increased by one
A dog had fallen at our gate
As for an owner - there was none

I trimmed the fur and washed the beast
Removed the thorns and burdock too
A can of Chum meat was a feast
Where have you come from - who are you?

'Hello' I said and shook her paw
She was not trained but tried to please
We told the police but heard no more
Applied powder to ward off fleas

We had a walk and off she went
By the river without a care
Following an enticing scent
And forgetting we'd brought her there

We waited by the car a while
And then we thought we'd have to go
Another dog came up to the stile
With our wanderer along in tow

The other dog just looked at us
And seemed to know he'd saved our dog
He turned and went back home because
His job was done - we were agog

'Let's call her Honey' please can we
'That is the colour of her fur'
That was our younger daughter's plea
And so that name we gave to her

She soon learnt not to run away
But be obedient, stop and wait.
With our two girls she liked to play
Learn fun and love not fear and hate.

The years rolled by, our son was born.
I lost my job and had to move -
To a new home, a brand new dawn.
A change of scene, out of the groove.

Footpaths up mountains and in woods
She ran beside my bike down lanes
For Honey this was just the goods
No looking back and lots of gains.

On Scottish peaks she climbed with me
Up Foinaven and Alasdair
Ben More Coigach so wild and free
Mam Soul as well, yes she was there

But dogs don't last, their life is short
At age sixteen she needed rest
And now she's dead, but what a sport
A terrier with strength and zest