You

A chance meeting,

Our eyes meeting,

And instant love.

And in the supermarket,

I talked of You.

Our big shop was filled by me

Analysing Your features

Through aisles of milk, bread, cakes, pizzas,

How, if we got another,

He must be exactly like You.

Wheeling out,

Trolley packed,

You were still there.

Sitting tall,

Watchful and avid,

As if You were waiting

For me.

Diverting for a final pat,

Your 'Mum' said:

'Do you want him?'

And it took half a heartbeat

For me to say yes.

I felt fate for the first ever time,

Because something was at work that day,

Some special destiny that threw You in my way.

And so we took You home.

You were a problem to begin,

With Your poor fur,

Your bones, too proud through skin,

Anxious and afraid.

But Your fuzzy black muzzle pushed

Forward for smoothing,

And Your eyes softened when stroked.

Your background puzzle meant

Difficult times.

So many odd fears,

Wide whale eyes, flat ears,

Sad tail curled low,

Touching Your belly,

Trembling with imagined dread.

But we managed,

In time,

And though You're still

Not quite fine,

Now You do trust us,

You badger and fuss us,

Flopping speckled paws

Onto sitting laps,

Fat head straining to

Lick faces or other places

Where skin is on show.

Yes, You're a strange one,

With Your phobia issues -

Bright, full moon nights,

Balloons, clouds, kites,

Parachutes and planes.

But what was Your history,

What shaped You?

A mystery we'll never solve.

But, in spite of all,

You're ours.

Our barmy,

Wild-eyed, wet-nosed

Enigma,

With Your skipping front feet

When eager to greet,

Your white teeth showing in smile.

You're our raggedy long dog,

Yoga-stretching, fun dog,

Stupid, smart run dog,

Our freaky, cheeky Barney Boy.