ODE TO A BLACK LABRADOR – on the occasion of Hector’s first birthday.

About Hector this year, I’ve shared quite a lot,
Of how he does things that he really should not,
So now it’s the case from Belgrade to Bridgwater,
Folk know he seldom behaves as he oughta.

He’s chewed through a table leg, chewed through a tree.
He’s chewed through a Bible, to Acts Chapter three
He’s chewed in a manner, worthy of a goat,
He’s chewed through the case of our TV remote.

He prowls round the garden, digs holes in the grass,
At pulling up rhubarb, he’s top of the class,
And as for my trio of tomato plants,
With Hector about, well they haven’t a chance.

A gooseberry crumble with custard is nice,
The thought of one now though, will have to suffice.
Cos he’s eaten the bush, and the fruit – which ain’t cool,
It seems then it’s him who’s the gooseberry fool!

From mud covered paws we’ve a dirty back door,
Whenever he’s fed, he leaves drool on the floor,
Downstairs in the house, we all know where he’s been,
For there on the carpet his fur can be seen.

When walking in woodland, oh what a delight
If Hector, when summoned, should hove into sight,
But not if our noses, to us then suggest,
He’s gone and rolled in something foxes egest!

The nights, they are short, in both June and July,
When Hector wakes up in them – I ask him ‘Why?’
He tells me that whilst I might long for my bed,
He’d much rather play in the garden instead!

That he can be friendly though can’t be denied,
Cos sometimes he’ll sidle up close by your side,
But don’t be misled as you’ll still need protection,
For he’ll often attack after shows of affection.

With Hector a one year old, it’s now my wish,
He’d stop combing beaches for rotting dead fish,
But I have my doubts that he’ll ever mature,
Or give up his fondness for eating manure!

But despite all his foibles, his faux pas, and faults,
Despite all his fearsome, full frontal assaults,
Despite all he mangles that we’ll never mend,
we’d not be without our fine four-footed friend!

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To read ‘The Hector Chronicles’, the diary of a Black Labrador’s first year life, click here

Other dog related blogs:

To read ‘A Farewell to Barns’, with an exclusive performance of Barney’s recently discovered Christmas hit, click here

To read ‘Dr Dog’, click here

To raw ‘A not so shaggy dog story’, click here

To read ‘On approaching one’s sell by date’ click here

To read ‘Scooby Doo and the Deserted Medical Centre’, click here

To read ‘Scooby Doo and the Mystery of the Deseted Cricket Ground’, click here