Boots was rescued by his breeder at 18 months. He had been isolated, starved & beaten, not groomed or walked. But his spirit was whole. |
Boots, the Story of one
very Special Bernese You came into my life when
you jumped from the car; |
When Boots arrived, his eyes were badly infected and he was still way too thin, altho' he had been with his breeder for 6 weeks. |
 Boots & Hannah Too became inseparable. |
Slowly, so slowly, we gave
you back life, Showed you that food can be given with love and not strife. The vet healed your hurts while we healed your mind And Hannah helped too, in the way of dog-kind. We found your old collar, embedded in flesh, At the pain it had caused, we only could guess. Each day that dawned brought you closer to us, You fitted right in with so little fuss. And Hannah? She loved you right from the start She really enjoyed teaching you how to bark! In a month it appeared you had always lived here Though you still treated tall men with inordinate fear. |
 Their very favourite place was our bed! |
Before Annie arrived, Boots was neutered and wore his Elizabethan collar like a top fashion accessory! |
But Hannah got sick, so
sick that she died, And I hugged you and held you while we both cried. You had known her and loved her for less than a year But during that time, you had both drawn so near. Then into our lives came a pup we called Annie And you took care of her like a Norland trained nanny! The two of you grew like two halves of a whole, You even both shared the meat that you stole! (Stealing food was the fault we didn't manage to cure, A habit brought forward from your past, I am sure.) So now we had two dogs to enhance every day And you blossomed and flourished, I'm happy to say. |
 His world changed forever in March, when a strong willed little Welsh girl called Annie arrived and proceeded to make him all hers! |
 Happiness! |
You enhanced every life
that you touched with your charm; Your one aim in life was to keep us from harm. You watched over us with those knowing brown eyes Unwittingly strengthening our family ties. You protected young Annie when she was abused, Though the hiker that kicked her really wasn't amused! The day that some person thought he'd burgle our house You really proved to us all you were all dog, not half mouse. You broke through the cat flap in the kitchen door And stood there whilst barking " Do you want some more Proof that I live here and guard with my life, While keeping my family from trouble and strife?" |
 Dressed for winter. |
Boots on his 5th Birthday, August 1993 |
Though Annie and you were
still both quite young, There dawned a day when you neither could run. Arthritis - and bad - said Beth(vet) when she saw you. But Annie seemed worse off, all her joints were so sore Some days were so bad, she couldn't hobble at all. But we managed your pain with potions and pills And silently counted the mountainous bills. (Thank goodness we had some insurance for claims, In Bournemouth they soon came to learn of your names!) For nearly three years you were treated this way I'm sure in my heart you didn't suffer a day. |
 He loved the snow... |
and
1995 |
During this time, you
slowed down, it is true, And though it sounds strange, your coat colour changed too. For a year and a half you turned steadily white, Your head, back and legs were an incredible sight. The reasons for this are unknown to this day, But it could have been drugs or the abuse. Who can say? Your last winter was bad, you both tried so hard. From all walks and activity, Beth had you barred. Then a ligament ruptured in Annie's left knee And your devotion and worry I plainly could see. You stayed by her side, licked her eyes, kissed her nose And left her in peace when the need it arose. |
My Distinguished Boy! |
 He had been suffering from Vogt- Koyanagia-Harada syndrome that caused him to loose pigment. This was however, unrelated to his death. |
But I saw you grow tired
from all of your pain And I knew that you wouldn't see the summer again. Then I heard of twin sisters who wanted a home -They'd been in a puppy farm, that I couldn't condone. We brought them home here at the beginning of spring, Just 6 years had passed since you'd made my heart sing. You greeted them both like the true gent you were, Now, how could you choose between her, her and her?! Your eyes still carried that sparkle of fun As your nose bumped them (like you always had done.) You made them feel welcome, Jazmine and Belle, You approved of their presence here, that we could tell. |
 Belle
|
16th April 1996. |
It seems to me now that you
waited their coming And with acceptance of them, your life's clock stopped running. I knew before long that the vet I would seek For though your spirit was willing, your flesh was so weak. Two days I agonised over that call, Then I knew that you wanted an end to it all. I sat on the step with you waiting for Beth, Both aware that her visit would end in your death. We silently talked and said our good-byes And I held you so close as life's light fled your eyes. Six years to the day you had been in my heart I just couldn't imagine us being apart. |
|
Top - bottom Belle, Jaz and Annie |
But now Toby has joined us,
a Newfoundland pup; I just hope he'll be like you - when he grows up. He'll just have to learn manners and how to behave - And I'm sure you will help him from beyond the grave. Sometimes I awake in the dead of the night And I can hear you instructing him in all that is right! Today is your birthday, you would have been nine, (To have a dog of that age, is an old ambition of mine.) A day doesn't go past without us thinking of you Running free in the fields, or sitting on feet like all Berners do. You've left us with memories, enduring, of joy, But Boots, I still miss you, my Very Best Boy. |
 Toby |
