Dusty's Poem

My sweet boy will turn 15 years in February. I had a scare with him last week but he has recovered and is doing well. It just really brought home that we are into that Every Day Is A Gift time of his life, and I make sure every day he knows how much I love him, that he is comfortable, and it is filled with happiness.
He woke me up around 2:00 a.m. to potty an I can't go back to sleep. While tossing and turning, I remembered this poem I wrote many years ago (maybe 10) when we got our first herding High In Trial. Thought I'd put it on my blog as I can't find the paper anywhere. I wrote it the next day while at work in a very boring meeting. Here you go my Dusty, this poem is for you:

Wake Up little Dusty, it's time to go
We have an important big dog show.
The truck is loaded, the sun's about to rise
You slowly open your dark brown eyes.
Way to me! Go Bye! is what's on my mind
Crook's in the front seat, your crate is behind.
We arrive at the show site - I unload all my gear
Our time at the handler's post draws rapidly near.
And then it's our turn! My heart is thumping
Ears are buzzing, blood is pumping
Go Bye! I send you, the trial's begun
You reward me with a beautiful outrun.
Through the left chute, the right chute, the cross drive panel
No bobbles at all - those sheep you can handle.
At the pen now the sheep slightly scatter
But heck - we've qualified! To me it doesn't matter.
I'm flying high as I accept our prize
But I look again at those dark brown eyes
And realize...
It's so much more than just first place
It's about teamwork, your heart, style and grace.
You've shown me that I can believe
In that magical union dog and man can achieve.
Back home now - you're tired - and fall quickly asleep
Your eyes flicker, your feet twitch
You're dreaming of sheep.
Thank you, Dusty, for all that you've given to me
Today was a great day for "Come Bye" and "Away to Me".