Jeff “The Terrible”

The golden brown labarador Jeff
came as a small pup to our family
one and half decade ago in a huff.

He was friendly and unfriendly all in one
cordial with the family and rough with strangers
playing amicably now, then barking in a gruff tone.

Jeff grew tall and strong and became a terror.
The neighbourhood hailed as a “Terrible”
as its roar sent down the spine a shiver.

My children went to distant lands
leaving Jeff to us father and mother
and the three of us remained a happy band.

A few years later my husband had to move
while Jeff and I had to live in the family home
with nothing much to keep us in the groove.

As things were getting ahead in normal pace
I had to shift and join my husband
giving Jeff a lot of loneliness and lot of space.

Jeff was in the care of the servants
Unable to bear the separation
it took ill and became defiant.
.

We rushed back home in a hurry
Jeff was lying down with eyes closed.
Seeing us he Wagged his tail and smiled faintly.

We knew Jeff was in his death bed.
Next morn a fleet of crows sat around him
crowing hoarsely signalling the end in a trend.