but when age crept in uninvited,
another story was told

He walked once as a King
lions share was his due
his eyes were all shiny
and coat soft silky too
he basked in his
good fortune
thinking forever
it would last
then one day
he aged
became tattered and gray
the shine from his
eyes fell
and collapsed in the way
he noticed they
now shouted
seemingly annoyed
at his presence
noisome he'd become
but saw it not
till it came...
newly inured in his
status now compromised indeed
he sat now outside
where others didn't
have to see
granted his bladder
was not like before
but to kick swat then curse him
was no way to be ushered
to the door
he could help not
his station of life
he now unwillingly
occupied
he still felt as a puppy
yet something strong inside
had died
they told him his breath stank
and they pushed him away
they nicknamed him scat
a name he knew when
a stray
yes, before they had found him
when all looked away
he then ran as a puppy
to and fro and about
wagging his tail in fury
pout and glee
few want lost puppies
and most looked away
as he'd chase after them
to their abode to
be told scat
get away
his tail wagged in uncertainty
in those puppy days of lost
when people were so cruel
he thought he'd found heaven
when finally taken in
they loved him in his glory days
when he was innocent young
and bold
but when age crept in uninvited
another story was told
one day when his bladder
had failed him once more
they in haste yes did show him
the unfriendly front door
he stood in the front yard,
butt hurting from the kick
he waited for four days
till it finally clicked
he stood yes abandoned
in the world all alone
he stood as the puppy
as he'd stood
so many years before
they wanted him not then
he remembered quite well
so how should he fare now
all aged, raggedy and old
he ambled down the street,
that he once had called home
invisible to all
head hung sadly so low
oh so bewildered
alas where would he go
bones already aching
not used to the road
he ambled in remembrance
of days of love bold
when he frolicked as a puppy
with his new family
and home
he then fell sorta sudden like
from the pain of it all
then collapsed
crumpled in a heap
all alone once more
a passerby came near
to examine
the sorry sight
as he looked up with help eyes
that teared from the soul
she walked away from him
leaving him for dead
he then whispered
and said
if only I had the strength
to wag my tail
for they always liked that
and as the last tear
stumbled and fell
from eye to concrete cold
he then
fell dead
cold slab
final bed