For Brigid And Barkley

Brigid's beloved companion Barkley has passed and the world is a bit darker and less friendly. But we shall celebrate with her a life well lived. A dog who loved his Person with every fiber of his being. Who existed only to protect her, comfort her and bring joy to her life. As pet owners we are all too aware of what Brigid is enduring and our hearts go out to her in the hope that a shared grief is a lighter burden.

Brigid, you did good by Barkley. He was loved, warm, fed and happy. And in the end you did the only thing you could. The bargain we make when we bring them into our lives to love. You let him go when he so desperately needed you to do just that.

Thank you for sharing him with us. It was a gift, one we shall always treasure. Barkley was a part of all our lives and will live on in our hearts and memories as if he was one of our own. 

Lu and I send you our prayers and the sure and certain knowledge that someday you will once again be reunited in joy with the one you loved so dearly.

Farewell Barkley. May the grass be green, the treats tasty and the squirrels slow as you wait in the cool shade beside the Bridge for the one you loved best.

Six, Lu and Angus

Dedicated to Barkley.

His Apologies

1932

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee.

Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a  wrong.
He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long.
Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt, 

and his self-respect has been bruised.
Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed.

Master-again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe,
He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew.
Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow.
Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go!

Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe!
There has been fighting all over the Shop – and into the Shop also! 
Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife 

(or I might have been choking him yet),
But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life  

and now shall we call on the vet?

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,
And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentest away.
But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see 
(Brushed – with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea. 

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind.
He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.
Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn.
He hath had none other God than Thee since the year that he was born.

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass. 
There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.
His bones are full of an old disease – his torments run and increase. 
Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!