Bedlington Terriers

Bedlington Terriers

One tiny ball of jet black fur
I think it’s a puppy, I’m really not sure.
Runs round in circles chasing its tail
We’re instantly bonded, how could it fail

Eats, sleeps and plays like a baby should do
Wees on the carpet .. no nappy for you!
Coat soft and curly, pear drop shaped head
Just give her food and a nice soft bed

Her colouring changes as quickly she grows
Her breed has the greying gene, didn’t you know?
Her colour’s correct, light at the head
Dark at the tail end, her breeder said.

First in Northumberland, bred for the pits
Their job to catch vermin on all of the shifts.
Then up to the surface with whippets to race
Their stamina just enough to keep pace

And now we have two, only this one is diff’rent,
Just four in the litter and she was the runt
She’d rather have fuss than food any day
And rather be carried than walk all the way

A name change to Woodbine, we don’t like to nag
But walking a distance becomes quite a drag
Her colour is. wrong, it’s all back to front
But we’d not find one better, wherever we hunt

Her character makes up for all that is lost
Everyone loves her, whatever the cost
She’s cuddly and gentle and looks like a lamb
Always affectionate, never a sham

Named after the town where they worked in the mines
All of them closed now, a sign of the times.
One is named Daisy, the other one, Floss
This song is the tale of these two little dogs.

Vicki Clemerson

2020