I never loved pets,
But I had to.
When one came my way
Though I disliked them anyway
I could not look away.

Got a puppy;
Malnourished and unhappy
Hairy and very dirty
Took him in though crappy.
Till he was gorgeous and happy.

As with fate,
To challenge my hate
I got another date
Of the same state
Of a cub at the gate

With the lessons learnt
‘was still difficult at first
Learning needed to be fast;
That we would all adjust
Or they would not last.

Originally they fought
To establish a territory,
All along I thought.
But was to create history.
Memories in a great story.

Under the same roof,
Lived, loved and roared.
Learnt, unlearnt and relearnt.
Traits, strengths and weaknesses
Of me, him and him

They grew.
Flesh learnt to chew,
Claws they now drew.
Could now swell any stew,
Even when it was not due.

I was dumbfounded.
A harmless puppy I had found
Had turned into a blood-hound.
A cub who now goats impound,
Anywhere in the compound.

Now a dog on the ground lay
With blood all around.
Leash on its neck wound,
Not able to make any sound.
‘Beautiful’ pet brought to bay.

I stand here,
With danger in my anger.
As I struggle to strangle
The last of pests I lived, loved and cared
But whose cost I couldn’t bear.