Buster

                                        Noble guardian of the besieged keep

                                            (Cringing coward at the first umbrella sighting)

                                        Advanced guard into the boar-filled underbrush

                                            (Earliest to flee at danger’s approach)

                                        Big Man of the Mountain – all on his path quake at his approach

                                            (Watch him instantly shy into the forest)

                                        Few deep barks mean hidden powers well kept

                                            (Transformer into a first thunderclap quivering quaker)

                                        The shadowed outlaw returned, restituted in human kindness

                                            (Insecure chicken dumping loyalty at the first stinking beached fish)

                                        Poor patient of heartworm and wounded flank soldiering on

                                            (Wincer at the briefest of nailtrim)

                                        My brave boy, my old friend, my pride and joy

                                            (My old stinking, maddeningly annoying and now sadly departed beauty)

 

                                        I so miss you. Always will.