Reality comes early when a child puts his world in his dog.

Putting Him Down

We've got to put him down
He had said it so quietly and
I accepted without knowing
Its intent and full meaning

Childlike I asked Daddy
Where he was putting Bo
The best dog I ever had
We were pals for years

I thought he was talking
About some man's horse
A mighty sick horse if
He had to put him down

At the time I had never
Heard the word Rabies
One that struck terror
In any owner of a dog

My father put his arm
Around my shoulders
To tell a ten year old
His dog will be killed

His words still hurt
- Boy if your dog bit
A child it would die
I must put Bo down


F William Broome 2007