I'd get off the bus after school
and down the lane he would come.
He'd run round me in circles, barking.
My very best friend; my Chum.
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~

He was the youngest of the litter,
the smallest by over a head.
Dad looked at him critically
saying "Son. He'll soon be dead."

But as I held that puppy
I saw a fire in his eyes.
So I said, "Please Dad. Let me keep him.
I'll make sure that he survives."

So I nursed him, and cared for him,
Fed him crumb by crumb,
and all the time I cried to him
"Please don't die on me Chum."

After many long weeks of nursing
Chum was coming on fine.
He was now feeding himself
and his coat had begun to shine.

By the time school holidays were over
I knew my dad had been wrong,
for gone was the puny weakling.
Chum was now healthy and strong.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'd get off the bus after school
and down the lane he would come.
He'd run round me in circles, barking
My very best friend; my Chum
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~

But one day I got off the bus
and Chum just wasn't there.
I raced home and ran to my mother,
"Have you seen Chum anywhere?"

No one knew where he was,
I raced outside calling his name,
but since he hadn't met the bus
I feared I was calling in vain.

I wandered all over our farm
looking for my faithful dog
till by the creek where he'd saved me from drowning
I found him trapped under a log

His poor front leg was broken.
Flesh cut down to the bone,
but he didn't even whimper
as I gently carried him home.

With lots of loving care
Chum was quickly on the mend.
His eyes seemed to be telling me
that I had made a life long friend.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~
He was soon at the bus stop again.
Yes, down the lane he would come.
He'd run round me in circles, barking.
My very best friend; my Chum.
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then I left school and took up a job,
I'd been away for almost a year.
On the bus my thoughts were on Chum
as the hills of home drew near

I worried if he would remember me,
if he'd remember how we used to play.
If he'd remember how I'd cared for him,
and how he'd wait for me every day.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~
My heart leapt as I got off the bus,
for down the lane he did come.
He ran round me in circles, barking,
then sank his teeth in my ***