Born in the forest
Brought by her mother
Fearful and timid
Infested and starving
She begged us to keep her
This traumatised puppy
So cute and appealing
We couldn’t deny her
The chance of a home

But she tested our patience
Destructive behaviour
Unresponsive to love
However we gave it
Stealing food was her forte
Disappearing at night
To run wild in the woodland
On the trail of the wild boar
That her breed was bred for
Returning exhausted
To sleep on the sofa
Unconcerned for her owners

Yet slowly she bonded
And accepted our family
We knew she had come to
Teach us some lessons
Love grew as we learned
Her curious nature
Her orgasmic passion
Her natural intelligence
Her fierce independence
Her elegant poses
Her regal beauty

The effect of her trauma
Was always apparent
her indifference to touch
Till effects of her illness
Softened her coolness

As she needed our care
She became very grateful
Between hours of sleep
She would hobble along
For her walk and ablutions
Dreamily sniffing
For scent of the wild
Find grasses for chewing
Returning to climb
The mountain of steps
Then back to her bed

As our love was growing
For this sweet gentle creature
Her life force was waining
Towards tragic end
The pain of deciding
The sting of our guilt
As we spoke to our vet
And arranged for his service
To put her to sleep

She died in our arms
To the words that we whispered
Please forgive me
I’m sorry
Thank you
I love you

Repeated with tears
At the graveside that evening
On the edge of the woodland
Where she felt at home
We lowered her gently
Sprinkling pink rose petals
With candles alight
And the moon as our witness

A life ended early
By infected sandfly
Combined with her surgery
Which caused too much stress
On her highly strung system
The shock of discovering
She had Laschmaniosis

That space where her bed was
Her welcoming tail
That I miss every morning
Such a tragic farewell