Our friend James watches the bookshop fairly often when we run about for this or that. James is a gifted poet and he sent us this in honor of our fuzzy guy. (His loss is why there have been no blogs this week. It’s just hard right now.)
So here, from James Ryan, is the poem
BERT
Bert the bookstore Terrier was really quite a guy
He did his job with great aplomb although he’d lost an eye
He inspected all the corners of the bookstore every day
Then he’d take the time to watch the kittens at their play
He greeted each customer as they came through the door
Unless, of course, he was asleep then you’d hear him snore
Watching the bookstore was a fun but never-ending task
The loving he received for this was all that he could ask
He knew his job and did it well whenever there was need
When there wasn’t he would sit and watch the kittens feed
To them he was their Uncle Bert a kind and gentle soul
Who watched them play and laughed when they’d trip and roll
He loved them all and treated them as if they were his own
And celebrated every time one got a furrever home
Now he’s crossed the rainbow bridge with a leap and run
Where his friend Zora is waiting to play and have some fun
He’s in a happy place now where he’ll never take a hurt
So, we celebrate the life of the Bookstore Terrier called BERT
Wendy Welch: Books, Yarn, Cats, Opioids 
Oh Wendy, this is great! My heart goes out to you and Jack over the loss of your little fella. What a nice tribute to a dear dog. . . .
What a wonderful, loving poem James about Bert, he will be missed by many including Mom and Dad and all the kittens that he loved and took care for.
Beautiful poem by your friend! I’m so sorry about Bert.
May you rest in peace, Bert, whenever you need to take a break from running in unending soft grasses and the joyous excitement of renewed exploring with Zora in your new home – together again.
Audrey Metz who wishes we could visit your earthly home more often
On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 8:24 PM Wendy Welch, Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap wrote:
> wendywelch posted: “Our friend James watches the bookshop fairly often > when we run about for this or that. James is a gifted poet and he sent us > this in honor of our fuzzy guy. (His loss is why there have been no blogs > this week. It’s just hard right now.) So here, from Jam” >
I was very sad when I read Jack’s beautiful tribute to Burt.and feel privileged to have met both Burt and Zora. I send you both my deepest condolences as you go through these dark times. Please know I care and that this proud follower from Portland, OR, is tearing up with sadness for you both in remembrance of your sweet pair of Little Bookstore dogs.
From Sally W.
Lovely poem and picture. More people should only realize what sweethearts well treated terriers can be.
Sorry for your loss. We lost our bookstore cat Biblio a while back, and there was such a sense of loss. When we closed our Acorn Bookshop last March, we were still getting requests to see Biblio. May your kittens live a long and memorable life.
George
Columbus, Ohio
So sorry about Bert. We were away and just found out about your loss. The last time we visited the bookstore Jack related how you made Bert a part of your family. Sincere sympathy – Dave and Donna Stinnard & Bob the Cat