Why Do Dogs Look So Sad?

(Picture Credit - Vinnie by Stacy Taylor Prev Crossley)

Those eyes

So sad

So loving, loyal and true.

Who can resist that look

From a dog?

Best family member

Of the animal kind.

So devoted to his Mum and Dad

And even uncle.

No fickleness here:

Unflinchingly faithful.

Loving to run and fetch

For his master or mistress.

Even bring in the ‘paper.

See him jump for joy

As you grab the lead

That he’s brought you.

It’s “That time”…

If you let him,

He’ll lick you all over

Before rolling on his back

For a belly rub.

(And his Missus is just the same)!

But those eyes have it:

Bottomlessly sad

So you just have to give him

Strokes and cuddles.

Paul Butters

© PB 21\1\2018.

(PS - As I said to Stacy, who's pic of her dog Vinnie inspired me, it "Spoke to my soul".)

Enjoy

Enjoy your cuppa tea and coffee.

Sit back and relax.

The world is full of strife and corruption:

Untold Evil.

Yet it’s Paradise Earth.

We take for granted

Our timeless oceans,

Mountains and plains

Teeming with Life:

Forests and savannahs

Herds of Wildebeest

And prides of Lions.

Quaff that beer and lager,

Let your Whisky burn your breast.

See those panoramic views

On your television.

Get your mobile out

And check what’s going on

In Social Media Land.

Wallow in a bar of chocolate

And dream of stroking dogs and cats.

Indulge in Romantic Fantasy,

If you know what I mean,

And be mindful of everything

That gives you joy.

Make Life a Celebration:

Party Time,

Full of sporting

Laps of Honour

And harmonious choirs.

Smell that cooking:

Roasts, fries, breads and cakes.

Taste it in your mind.

To the sound of birdsong

And Eric Clapton.

After all,

You only live once.

Paul Butters

© PB 14\1\2018.

I Wish

(Picture Credit - OP in Hospital by The Independent)

I wish I could say something good

About growing old and dying.

For sixty years I had a great relationship

With Mum,

But then that demon Dementia brought her

Living Death.

She thought in the end I’d

Betrayed her,

“Allowing her to be put in a home”.

And then, to rub it in,

She was allegedly abused and badly bruised

By evil members of staff.

Mum passed away

Two months later.

The last time I saw her

She was waiting to be taken to the loo

As I was ushered out.

We all grow old,

Gradually fading away,

Tormented by Diabetes, hypertension

And strokes.

Full of arthritis

And gammy knees.

The list of ills goes on,

No proverbial light at the end

Of the tunnel.

So all I can say is live for

Now.

Make the most of our Share of Time.

Take comfort in passing on the baton

To the likes of Jacob

My great nephew.

Teach him and his peers

As well as we can

To take care of The Earth

A damn sight better

Than we have.

Try to Improve ourselves,

Keep growing

Every single day.

Keep learning

Experiencing

Living

As long as we can.

Paul Butters

© PB 8\1\2018.

Faithful Dog

That faithful dog is waiting at your door,

Bursting with unconditional Love.

He (or she) is pining

For your arrival.

Whining and crying,

All ashake.

At last you are here!

Forward he leaps,

Almost losing balance with the shake

Of his tail.

Ready to lick you

Into oblivion.

So you ruffle his ears

And pat him on the head.

“Good Boy!”

Meanwhile The Cat sits

In haughty isolation

Watching coolly

Indifferent to all.

But you still go to her

As she rolls over

And bears her furry tummy

For you to scratch

And her to purr.

I love these pets

Or rather

Family Members.

While they are with us,

There is nothing better.

Paul Butters

© PB 7\1\2018.