My New Pal

My pal, the Bull Terrier was found locked in a shed
Malnourished and awfully mistreated
But thankfully he was found by the RSPCA
And placed in a kennel that was heated.

He was gently fed on a very light diet
And given twenty four hour a day care
It was 'touch and go' at first they said
As he'd developed a 'condition' most rare.

With patience and love, after weeks, he improved
And the gloss in his coat did appear
He was still very nervous when strangers were about
Indeed, most times he shook with much fear.

I slowly got to know him, when a mate said 'come along'
And befriend a new intake we've found
My own dog had died and I was feeling a bit lost
And half heartedly went down to the pound.

I loved him on sight, though he looked terrified
But with him, I daily sat and chatted
It took quite a while, his confidence to win
Until one day, his side, I softly patted.

He seemed to respond, he looked up at me
As if to say 'what took you so long'
He moved nearer to me and sat on my feet
As if to say 'It's here you belong'.

He's made the best pet, and we're rarely apart
And we walk for many a mile
I know it sounds daft, but sometimes I think
He even looks up at me with a smile.

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© Copyright Harriet Blackbury 2006