Dougal

[Delta40]

Dougal has been a comfort in life
that I have never been able to replace.
His fur is matted and going grey
and there are little tufts missing
round his red plastic collar.
Even after forty years, he still looks proud.

Grandma stitched a tartan coat for him
when I turned five. Happy birthday my wee bairn!
I ran outside with my little doggie,
threw him high into the grey sky
then caught him safely in my arms.
Now his coat is faded, repaired so many times.
But Dougal is still here, like me.

Friends laugh at us but Dougal and I
share more than a poem can say.
The countless nights where I tossed and turned
like a terrified child tormented by fear,
my brave scottish terrier toppled off the bedhead
and gave me peace and blissful sleep.

I have heard him woof woof in my dreams
as if to assure me he is my past,
my presence and will always be my future.

Somebody said throw that filthy thing out!
It matters not to me
that he's been gnawed by dogs,
chewed by babies and clawed by cats.
Between us, Dougal and I survived alot.

Explosive invectives You useless b itch!
Thrown against walls like a rag doll.
Dashed to the ground and stomped on.

As loyal today as he was in 1967,
tonight he absorbs a lifetime of heartfelt tears,
his red nose nuzzling my face to tickle away my pain
till once again I choke out I love you so much

[Hawkman]

This may be a bit proasaic but it's very relatable, Delta, apart from the abuse which happily I've never had to endure. I'm in two minds whether those shocking three lines are appropriate or not, they seem so isolated from the tone of the rest of the poem, although the italicised "throw that filthy thing out" froeshadow the violence to come.

I'm also wondering if,

"as if to assure me he is my past,
my presence and will always be my future."

is a typo or not. if it is, it's one of those happy accidents which adds dimension to meaning, so I don't think you should change it.

The voice of the inner child is strong in this poem.

Live and be well - H

[Haunted]

This reminds me of a "friend" I made out of an old pillow when I was a child. But I wasn't that lucky, they took it from me when I was at school, undid the stitches and when I got home my friend was gone. I can feel how attached you are to Dougal, and how important he is to you. May he always be there for you.