Dedicated to a springer

I dedicate this to Ric, short for Ricochet, a springer I left behind in the care of another handler, Ric retired from active service and worked his days out as a pet, I left behind many friends but Ric was always my best mate.

"I Wait By The Gate"

In a strange land I was sent, not knowing my fate;
In a pen I was put, and I sat by the gate.

I watched and I wondered, what do I do now;
Then I looked up and saw you, as you walked up with a smile.

We trained and we worked, and I showed you my best;
You rewarded me, and petted me, and I did the rest.

Through trails and paths and roads we did go;
And I was to smell, for traps that would blow.

Many times I stopped you, from ending your life;
From an enemy trip wire, that was set to end your life.

Never have I thought, that we would ever part;
Because of the love, that we had in our hearts.

Oh, I was so proud, to walk by your side;
With all of your friends, and being your guide.

Then one day you put me, back into my pen;
You smiled and you petted me, and said,"Goodbye my friend."

You looked back one more time, and I saw the tear in your eye;
And I knew it was the last, and was your way of saying goodbye.

My life it so changed, when you went back home;
And I stayed behind, to a fate unknown.

Its been over 30 years, since I've seen your face;
But I never forgot you, my friend and my mate.

For you see, my friend I still sit by the gate;
In a place called Heaven, still waiting for my mate.

So please don't worry, I'm waiting by Heaven's gate;
For my best friend, my brother, but mainly my mate

Made me cry Robert. I'm choked.

And me too, especially this last bit:-

My life it so changed, when you went back home;
And I stayed behind, to a fate unknown.

Its been over 30 years, since I've seen your face;
But I never forgot you, my friend and my mate.

For you see, my friend I still sit by the gate;
In a place called Heaven, still waiting for my mate.

So please don't worry, I'm waiting by Heaven's gate;
For my best friend, my brother, but mainly my mate

Awww - brought the tears to my eyes too.

Oh R

I am so glad you posted it xxxxxxxxxx

Well thats me sobbing again

Who's idea was this poetry thing anyway? I've just sat at my computer and cried for the last couple of days!

That was lovely. . some tears here

Lucille a friend of mine where one of Septembers poopie pie is going to live used to handle a springer in Bosnia called Toby and he is all she ever talks about. . she loved him very much. . . she said she was heart-broken when she had to leave him to move onto Kosovo, she used to search for weapons with him

I would imagine he saved her bacon a few times as well, will see if she'll come on-line you and her may have a lot in common. . and shes as daft as a brush to boot

QUOTE (Daisy&Missy @ September 21, 2007 08:51 am)

she said she was heart-broken when she had to leave him to move onto Kosovo, she used to search for weapons with him

It was always hard leaving which ever dog behind, even knowing that with in a week they'd be bonded like glue to a new handler, I've still got Rics long lead which gets used for a spot of training now and again, his harness bit the dust though, victim of a puppy attack

Am sitting at my office desk, with tears in my eyes, it was so moving.

QUOTE (S.Y.E.S.S.R @ September 21, 2007 12:07 am)

Who's idea was this poetry thing anyway? I've just sat at my computer and cried for the last couple of days!

It was my idea! Even though some of the poems are tearjerkers, I've enjoyed reading them all.
I'm sure there will be some happy, smiley ones as well soon, to balance things up a bit!