She came as a scruffy grey and white pup,
With no fear she came to us full of love,
Right into our lap with big sad eyes she looked up,
As if to say, “Yep, I’m the pup you want.”
From the start she was filled with mischief and love,
Taking my shoe and carrying it away watching us,
Never chewed it, just waited for us to take it back,
Then would sneak in and grab it again,
A game she’d play all day until her nap.
With the playfulness of Baloo the Jungle Book Bear,
And the clumsy mischievousness of “Lee Marvin’s” Ballou,
This is who she became, our beloved Ballou,
Who loved to run and play and steal the occasional shoe.
Ballou could steal your heart with one look,
With giant paws and gangly long legs to boot,
She’d chase kids and Batmobile’s, man she could scoot,
All the kids knew her well and always shouted for “BLUE!”
Great Danes are known to become like their owners,
And Ballou did just that, never a loner,
She’d climb onto the couch to snuggle, pushing us to the corners,
Then proceeded to lick or nudge to get the attention of her owners.
Ballou was deaf but always managed to hear,
Seemed to have a knack when someone was near,
And to this day she never showed anger or fear,
Don’t even know what she’d sound like, if she ever growled for real.
Her love was limitless and went out to all,
She was the guardian of children both big and small,
Loved watching her run and chase as they threw a ball,
The kids running to her when she’d sometimes fall.
Then one day she couldn’t run,
No rhyme or reason for the end of her fun,
Yet Ballou still snuggled and played as if nothing was wrong,
Just needed help from all her loved ones.
With neither a whimper or cry,
She made the most of each and every day,
Loving it when new people came by to play,
Barking and wagging a tail that could bring pain.
For two and a half years, Ballou brought us great cheer,
As I remember her adventures through great big tears,
It was time for her to run again without any fear,
In fields full of children and love always near.
Ballou brought a new meaning to the word dog,
Showing a love beyond any we’re capable of,
With love and thanks we can picture you in Heaven above,
Listening to the children laugh as you chase God.
Miss you ‘Boo’
May 25, 2009
©Bradley S. Hartman
www.hartfeltbooks.com
Add your comment
You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.