"Because I Was A Baby Too Long"

"A Day In The Life Of A Young Dog"

Author Unknown
 

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast, " I hope it's not late."
   
Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails, to make Mama smile. 
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird -- it gave me gas.
   
I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true. 
He gave me so many great things to chew. 
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care. 
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.
   
That obedience book, was sort of yummy. 
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy. 
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.
   
I made streamers of T. P., while running at full speed. 
Mom's pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead. 
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped -- shook her head, and breathed, "You're too fast."
   
Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning. 
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.
   
When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door. 
I love it inside, but outside is best. 
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.
   
That didn't last long, there was too much to do-
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe. 
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.
   
I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus. 
I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss. 
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind. 
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."
   
The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come! 
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun. 
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.
   
Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait. 
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate. 
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.
   
Mom found her purse -- the one I abused. 
Daddy let loose a chuckle.  Mom asked "Amused??" 
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble. 
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"
   
Mom turned off the TV, and said, "Time for bed." 
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head. 
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.
   
Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low. 
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
and whispered so softly, "My darling, goodnight."

"He's Just My Dog"

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
My other ears that hear above the winds.
He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.
He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being.
By the way he rests against my leg..
By the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile..
By the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him
(I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me)..
When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another man.
With him, I am all-powerful.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
He is loyalty itself.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.
He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection
against my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me. . . whenever. . . wherever...
in case I need him.
And I expect I will. . .  as I always have.
He is My Dog.

"Walk With An Old Dog"

by Gayl Jokiel

Because you will not be forever,
Hope against time though I may,
I paint your picture in my memory,
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray.

Because you walked with me in Springtime,
Puppy-clumsy, running free.
As you grew, we grew together --
You became a part of me.

Because you shared with me my sorrows,
Not understanding- simply there.
Often spurring me to laughter --
My friend, you know how much I care.

Because the years have slowed your fleetness,
Though your spirit still is strong.
I promise I will take more time now,
So that you can go along.

Because you do not fear the future,
Living only in the now,
I draw strength from your example --
Yet time keeps slipping by somehow.

Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me - but in memory
You will always walk with me.
The lovely sturdiness -- the dignity.
And when upon that infinitely dark
And unfamiliar way I, too, must go,
I shall not be afraid -- full well I know
These things await me: your triumphant bark --
Rush of impetuous paws in a swift race --
And a warm, eager tongue against my face!

Dear Lord: 
Please watch over our humans, they are so weak.
They have no claws or teeth,
They can't run fast or fly away,
Neither can they burrow or build a nest in which to be safe.
They smell bad, do strange things that aren't altogether intelligent,
Have no real ability to communicate with us,
Although we are able to figure out what they want. 
Lord, grant US the ability to watch over our humans,
Care for them, cheer them when they are down,
Make them laugh, smile, and shower them with our love.
We pray that we can bring a little joy
Into their otherwise mundane existence...
Lord... please let them know that when we insist on getting attention,
It is so we can check their emotional well being and boost their morale.
When we pester them for different foods, toys, etc.,
It's so they will learn to see us in ways they hadn't considered,
Bringing them closer and back into the fold...
Which they are part of but keep forgetting about.
They expect us to know what they want
Even though sometimes they don't know what we want.
Some of them really try and we know they love us
But some of them are so dumb,
Yet our love for them remains intensely faltering. 
Lord, when we die,
Please make sure to send us ahead
To where ever our humans are going to be,
So we can pave the way for them,
Vouch for them and be there for them when they too die...
Please allow us to continue proving the humans are worth the effort.
You placed these humans in dominion over us,
But you charged us with the task of caring for them,
SHOWING them your love every day, through us. 
God bless these mere mortal humans,
They know not that we are their guardian angels
Sent in love to task them so that they may grow to be
part of your plan.
You and Us, God...
We'll bring them back into the fold... you and us. 
Amen.

"A Dog Sits Waiting"

By Kathy Flood

A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun --
too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.
He's been there for days now
with nothing to do
but sit by the road, waiting for you.

He can't understand why you left him that day;
he thought you and he were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back,
and that's why he stays --
how long will he suffer? How many more days?

His legs have grown weak, his throat's parched and dry;
he's sick now from hunger
and he falls, with a sigh.
He lays down his head, and he closes his eyes --
I *wish* you could see
how a waiting dog dies!

Rescued Hearts

 

Taking care of Rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.

The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.

My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them every day,
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.

I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.

Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.

If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.

So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see.
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for ME.

© Copyright 1996 by Kathleen Parsons

"I Never Was a Mother"

 

I never was a mother,
With children of my own,
But small creatures needing loving hands
Found their way into my home.

My brother's cat, the neighbor's dog,
An AIDS victim's last request,
To each and every one of them,
I promised to do my best.

Sad eyes behind the shelter bars,
A beloved pet was lost.
I vowed that I must get him out,
no matter what the cost.

This type of work fills my heart
As each I get to know.
They stay to rest, grow healthy, strong,
Then I must let them go.

To new homes and new lives,
With my prayer for love-filled years.
I watch my charges leave one day
As I hold back my tears.

Some One assigns us each a part
To play in life's great game.
No, I never was a mother
But the role was near the same.

© Copyright 1994 by Terry Albert
May not be reproduced without permission of the author.
This poem was first published in the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue newsletter.