Bonnie Middleton ( Oor Wee Dug ).

Notes

You might think this is a strange one, a dog on a Family Tree? How could you. Well as far as we are all concerned, she was one of us. If you have cared for something or someone for 15 years then you regard them as part of the family.

Bonnie was a wee 'Westie' ( West Highland Terrier ), with a wonderful personality and spirit. She was loved by all the family, so much so that when we got her ashes back I asked Neil, Michael and Linda if I could put her ashes under the family tree with Mum and Dad and as they all pointed out, both Mum and Dad would be delighted that she was buried with them.

A few days after we had to get her put to sleep I wrote the following verse. Hope you don't think it's too soppy.

WHERE IS OOR BONNIE

WHERE HAS THE PITTER, PATTER OF THOSE WEE PAWS GONE?

WHERE IS THE BARK AT THE BACK DOOR WHEN SHE NEEDED A PEE?

OR THAT IMPATIENT WOOF TO GET THE DISHES DONE SO SHE COULD GET HER TREAT!

WHERE IS SHE WHEN YOU WANT TO PLAY?

OR GO FOR A WALK AND STOP AT EVERY TREE.

WHERE IS THE WEE DUG THAT USED TO PROTECT US? WELL BARK LIKE MAD THEN LICK THEIR FACES.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE NUDGE ON YOUR LEG WHEN YOU GIVE HER A FRIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WEE MUTT THAT USED TO RACE ROUND THE GARDEN TILL SHE WAS DIZZY?

OR FLAKE OUT ON THE GARDEN AFTER A BAILLIES ( ONLY ONCE BY MISTAKE MIND YOU!).

WHY IS THERE SUDDENLY SPACE ON THE COUCH AND WHY IS MY SEAT COLD AFTER A FAMILY DAY OUT.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT WEE FACE WITH AN INNOCENT LOOK WHEN YOU SCOULDED HER?

OR WHERE IS THAT PLAYFUL WEE NIBBLE ON YOUR EAR WHEN YOU HAVE A KIDDON FIGHT.

EVEN WEE HENRY THE HOVER IS MISSING HIS FIGHTS

WHEN MUM TAKES HIM OUT THE CUPBOARD EACH NIGHT.

OR WHAT ABOUT THE WEE DOG WHO LIKED TO SUNBATHE ON A SUNNY DAY

AND THE DOG THAT DIDN’T MIND GETTING DRESSED UP AS A FOOTBALLER OR A BALLERINA.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEE SCAMP THAT CHASED THE GOLF BALLS UP TO THE HOLE

AND PICK IT UP JUST AS IT REACHED THE CUP AND THEN COME WALKING IN TO THE KITCHEN

WITH HER MUDDY PAWS AND GIVE A “OOPS,SORRY” OR A “ITS NO MA FAULT” GLANCE UP AT YOU.

WHAT ABOUT THE TIMES SHE WOULD JUMP ON THE BED AND CUDDLE UP ON THE PILLOW.

WHERE IS THE SANTA’S WEE HELPER WHO RIPPED OPEN HER PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

BUT LET YOU OPEN YOUR OWN THEN PLAYED AND HID IN THE BUNDLES OF PAPER.

WHERE IS THE GRACEFUL,BRAVE WEE OLD LADY THAT SAT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS WAITING FOR US IN THE MORNING.

I’LL TELL YOU WHERE, SHE IS ENGRAVED IN OUR MINDS AND BROKEN HEARTS FOREVER

AND PLAYING WITH HER NANNA AND GRAMPA THAT ‘S WHERE.

HERE’S HOPING THEY CAN KEEP UP WITH HER TILL WE ALL HOPEFULLY MEET UP AGAIN.

SLEEP TIGHT WEE BONNIE,WE’RE MISSING YOU SO MUCH

MUCH MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW

YOUR LAST VISIT TO THE VET

WAS SO PAINFUL FOR US

THE DAY WE LOST THE WORLDS BEST PET.

YOU WATCHED OVER US FOR OVER 15 YEARS

AND IN THAT TIME YOU CAUSED MANY TEARS,

ALL TEARS OF JOY UNTIL THE LAST DAY

WHEN YOU LEFT US WITHOUT YOUR SAY.