He got his
name quite simply
because of
his great size,
but was
always sweet an’ gentle—
you could
see it in his eyes
He greeted
me from school each day—
slept
outside my bedroom door,
was content
to follow all house rules
an’ never
beg for more
Sometimes
we’d take him in the car—
he loved to
take a ride,
took up his
share of the back seat
as I sat
close by his side
He had an’
eighth-stair fetish,
as tho’
assigned the post,
he was
guardian of our stairway—
to friends,
I’d often boast
When being
fed from my hand,
ol’ Bear
could be quite dainty,
folks
laughed at his small nibbles
saying,
"He’s a dandy, ain’t he?"
I never
feared real danger
for he was
always near,
to watch,
an’ to protect me
from
whatever I might fear
No squirrel
would ever cross our yard,
he’d tree
‘em in a flash,
if they
even heard him coming,
they’d make
a speedy dash
That dog
was truly Texan—
Big with a
cowboy heart,
I only wish
when he was born,
I’d known
him from the start
He lived to
be fifteen tho’—
eleven of
my years,
an’ when he
went to Heaven,
I cried so
many tears
But Bear is
not forgotten—
our souls
shall never part
for I carry
him with me
deep within
my heart.