September 2010

[Sweder]

Farewell Tess, warrior, hunter, White Peril, runner, friend.
'So many rabbits, so little time', that was your motto. We shall not see your like again.

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.

You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!

Tess was a wild creature purporting to be a domestic pet.
She wreaked havoc for thirteen years, causing more heartache, tears of laughter and fury than a small dog can dream of. Her diminutive stature and apparent sweet nature lulled many a poor soul into a false sense of security. Her late night escapades, sneaking onto the downs to chase foxes under the Hunter's Moon, would see her trot home in the early light, thin white skin hanging in tatters from her bush-bloodied legs, a look of satisfaction on her face. She had the highest pain threshold of anyone I've ever known.

Contrary to her hell-raising life she slipped quietly into that good night. No longer able to walk for any distance, her breathing laboured, heart pounding as her tough little body failed, she looked at me yesterday and we both knew the time had come. Mrs S & I took her to the vets. I expected her to rise up, bite the vet and make a last dash for freedom but there was nothing left. She was ready to join her old pal Gypsy in those fields of gold. If you hear thunder & lightening in the next few days you'll know she's arrived.



Tess: a Running Commentary retrospective

Neighbours
Chasing rabbits
The Stiff
The Killing Fields (Apocalypse Now)
Fair Weather Friend