A day out with Rufus last year mid-September 
What events of the day will me and Alex remember?
 
My drawings of Rufus. As I’m turning the pages 
memories come back of day’s various stages
They show I love Rufus now I realise 
When a friend made me look how I’m drawing his eyes  

Alex, that whistle you make to get his attention 
which you use on me too like I’m in detention
Sweet in a way, this agreed upon sound 
which I use on you too when you’re messing around 
 
I give directions, you listen and drive 
Rufus needs wee-wees, AGAIN, will we ever arrive? 
Finally we got there, in river he went
Straight in the water to your discontent 
 
ALEX:  He can go in the water, run in the bog
In if he wants, love smell of wet dog
 
What a pong, what a  stench
could smell him a mile off over there on that bench 
Got to a crossroads, left: beach or right: cliff 
You chose to go ‘right’ to avoid lover’s tiff?
 
ALEX: I listened to Rufus,  heard what he told ‘I don’t want to go on the beach Alex, in the sea I’d get cold'
 
Alex, Rufus he told me the following words

‘Take me to the beach Lee, want to frighten those birds 
Seagulls and children, love to annoy
Fed up with dog treats and rubber duck toy’
 
ALEX: Well he tells me the truth Lee not what he tells you 
Didn’t have his coat or his mittens or dressing gown too 

Alex, you’ll be telling me Rufus  has a jacket
Oh dear I forgot, his Barbour, you packed it! 

So we took the right turn and made for the cliffs  
Goodbye sandy beach hello ‘What ifs’
Cliff views were lovely, from beach to the sky 
So romantic up there, up ever so high
 
ALEX:  Guess so. I was worried about Rufus close to the edge 
Chasing rabbits by the cliff side too close to the ledge 
Didn’t really think about it, guess it was ‘nice’ 
More concerned about Rufus running after rabbits and mice 
Wouldn’t say it romantic , more ‘fresh air’ I suppose
Rather windy up there, could feel chill in my toes 
 
Alex, call me old-fashioned romantic at heart
Expected more than just ‘fresh air’,
‘Lovely my darling’ how ‘bout that for a start? 
 
ALEX : 
I remember that brat, deserved all that he got
Rufus stealing his ice cream gobbling the lot 
Took him to café reward him with sweets 
Remember that guy giving Rufus some treats 
 
Yes I do, I remember the end 
you saying to Rufus, ‘Awww, have you got a new friend?
Under the table, that look in his eye
Knowing only too well what he wants from the guy

Give me some chips and a piece of that fish 
Happy to wait mate but fill up my dish 

Remember drive home Rufus snoring away
Must have been tired -  very long day 
Rufus the rascal not as bad as he seems 
Causing mischief asleep, chasing birds in his dreams
 
Wearing new trainers, trod in his shit 
Should always remember we only dog sit
Rufus not actually ours, we have him on loan
Your manager’s dog
What if we had one of our own?
 
He comes a few hours sometimes a few days
His hair over our sofa when overnight stays 
Returns back to normal his well-behaved self 
When owners collect him - Patty and Ralf

Rufus gone home, clean where he’s pooed 
Flat lonely without him, ‘miss Rufus’ the mood 
Drive past his house, both in your car 
Hope Rufus can hear us, our whistle that far 

So a day out with Rufus, though ending was sad
These drawings remind me, what a day out we all had