Toby

To Toby

We were both doing time when we met that spring Each for our own special sin We both were protecting what we thought was ours Not knowing what was about to begin

Both of us landed in cages one night Imprisoned for breaking the law We each had our own collar and leash Tied to another’s beck and call

In a sense we freed each other’s bonds With companionship, loyalty and trust We learned to be the best of friends Understanding was a mutual must

We hunted and fished for sixteen years Doves and rabbits and ducks You never got tired of playing those games And I could never believe my luck

In finding such a wonderful pal Who shared my love of the field Who learned so quickly the tricks of the trade And who gave much more than he received

But time betrayed you early this morn When it robbed you of your soul No amount of courage could overcome What age had taken in toll

I couldn’t watch you suffer Through the remainder of your days I just hoped you would remember The times that you and I played

I hope you can forgive me For making the choice to end Our time together here and now Neither of us having to pretend

Goodbye my friend, it’s time to sleep To rest from a long day’s hunt To lie in the sun on a warm afternoon And remember the times we were one