The adventures of Sherlock Bones

You'll find him at number 48,
It has no drive or fancy gate.
But this is the place he now calls home,
That mischief maker Sherlock Bones.

He eats like a horse, he snores when he sleeps,

He has just learnt how his chew toy squeaks.

He is partial to phones, (not to selfie just chew),
And he loves his frisbee which he brings back to you.

Our garden Dinosaur did not get a greeting,
Yet my chicken doorstop took a comical beating.
He's perfected that 'love me' doe eyed puppy look,
As you remove a now tatty School library book!

We've more stair gates now than from toddler years,
It feels like a budget version of  'The Crystal Maze' living here.
And as for the cat?  the battle lines have been drawn,
"You keep the bed" te dog said "and I shall wee on the lawn."

The grass now has holes which he proudly has dug,

He's digested at least a third of the rug.

He attacks the cushions when he thinks you're not looking,

And has twigged what it means when someone is cooking!

My shoe now appear to be more flop than flip,

And although puppy class training has taught him to sit

The more useful command we should work on I believe,

Is probably (undoubtably)  "Sherlock now leave!"

He is 'Barky McBark Pants' when the doorbell goes,

How can someone so small be so loud? Who knows.

He loves to go out and the attention he gets,

Especially from the nurses when he nips to the vets.

But there's one person his tail wags for more than any other,

And that is for his very special big brother.

Sherlock follows him round as if on invisible thread,

Sneaking on his lap as a comfy bed.

I have to admit my heart wobbles like jelly,

When you hear the laughter roll out from the boys belly,

As Sherlock jumps and rolls and bounds and runs,

Evenings together filled with 'togetherness' fun.

And the best bit of all, is that right from the start,

Your nuzzles and snuffles started mending my heart.

Your big fluffy paws gently pieced it back together,

Your love is a gift I will treasure forever.

The wait's nearly over, the lead's by the door,

Your first walk eagerly awaits and many thousands more.

So here's to mischief and muddy walks our dear Mr Bones,

And thank you for bringing Team Kitchen back home.

You are more than just a dog

And then I cried.

I cried rainbow coloured tears... tears of love, and happiness, and completeness. Tears of joy, sadness, loss, tears for the years of 'maybe' that had laid heavy inside.  Tears of knowing we had come to the end of tricky conversations.  You were the full stop on one page yet the new beginning that would fill the crisp white empty pages of the next chapter.

I cried because I did not know my heart was so very broken.  I did not know that the sticky tape had tarnished and the blue tack was failing.  I did not see how it was loosely bound together by luck alone.  You were my superglue.

I cried because I can see what you will give us. I cried for the happiness I see in my sons eyes as he strokes you and for the years of friendship and adventure to come.

It has been a wonderful journey waiting for your arrival.  As a family we shared the same excitement we did when we have our first child, our only child.  We planned, and read, and learnt and beamed excited smiles every time a picture of you pinged up on our phones.

I cried because this is right.  You fill the gap that has followed us for years, the gap where dreams and hopes have fallen into never to be found again, like the boys missing sock!  It is not the family I had assumed would be ours, but family you truly are.

I cried because I am so very thankful.  I hope beyond hope your waggy tail and snuffling nose can sense just what you mean to us.  You have filled me with hope, you have given my son a new lease of life and bought us the promise of companionship when we know we will be weathering the storms the boys needs bring.

You are more than just squeaky toys, gentle snores and the warmth of soft paws as you sleep on my lap.  You are a fixer.  A fur brother.  You have licked and nuzzled your way into my heart and gently put it back together... and for that Mr Bones, I will be forever grateful.

Thank you. x