The Light In His Eye

I was there at his birth
One fine summer's day.
He came down to earth
So chipper and gay.
He was tiny and wet,
So timid and shy,
The first sunrise he met
Lit the light in his eye.

He stayed close by his litter
As the wagging of tails
Constituted him fitter,
Put the wind in his sails;
He soon learned to give
All he needed to do,
He learned how to live
His days faithful and true.

We spent many a long year,
He at my side.
We roamed far and near,
We ranged far and wide.
As darkness came o'er
He, guard by me kept,
From his watch on the floor
At night as I slept.

Then, as his dotage grew,
His fire dampened became;
I stayed with him through
The flickering last flame.
Till the end became nigh,
His final last shout,
Till the light in his eye
Gently dimmed and went out.

ASJ