Lucy - memories of an old friend

We brought you here afraid, distressed,
To hospital your mistress gone.
You cried all night until the dawn.
Sleep well, poor dog, sleep well.

We gave you care and gave you love,
You learned to trust and how to play,
And then you knew that here you'd stay.
Sleep well, dear dog, sleep well.

In our home you slowly settled.
We bought you toys you had not known
That squeaked when bitten or when thrown.
Sleep well, fun dog, sleep well.

Slowly you came to love us too.
You'd curl and snooze beside my chair
Or in the garden when we were there.
Sleep well, small dog, sleep well.

At previous owner's funeral
"Welcome, Lucy" the vicar said
And friends came up to stroke your head.
Sleep well, sweet dog, sleep well.

When at last your heart gave out,
Three feet deep by the apple tree
With favourite toys we buried thee.
Sleep well, old dog, sleep well.

Now when I pass that apple tree
I stop and turn and softly say:
"You'd like a sunny walk today".
Sweet dreams, old friend, sweet dreams.