A Dog Owner

Oh Lord, don't let me once forget how I love my trusty pet.
Help me learn to disregard canine craters in my yard.
Show me how to be a buddy even when my sofa's muddy.
Don't allow my pooch to munch postal carriers for lunch.
Shield my neighbor's cat from view--guide my steps around the doo.
Train me not to curse and scowl when it's puppy's night to howl.
Grant I shan't awake in fear with a cold nose in my ear.
Give me patience without end--help me be my dog's "best friend".

~ Author Unknown ~

A Dog Poem

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,
You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger,
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.

One dog is no trouble and two are so funny,
The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.
The fifth one is delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,
You find you can live with a household with ease.

So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy but oh Lord the hair!
With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother you said.

They're really no trouble, their manners are great,
What's one more dog and just one more crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,
The floor is all footprints, the furniture all dusty.

The housekeeper suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few nose prints and a little more hair.
So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,
And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,
The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny,
The vet and the food bill grows larger, you owe money.

Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
Except other dog folks, who live all the same way.
Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,
But your weekends are busy, your off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots,
And entries and travel and motel which cost lots.
Is it worth it, you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite dog comes and climbs in your lap.

His look says you're special and you know that you will,
Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.
But winter's a hassle, the dogs hate it too,
But they must have their walks though they're numb and you're blue.

Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout
At the dogs on the sofa that refuse to go out.
The dogs and the dog show, the travel, the thrills,
The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.

The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are our life
They're charming and funny and offset the strife.
Your lifestyle has changed - things won't be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the game!

~ Author Unknown ~

Dog Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!

~ Author Unknown ~

Christmas Puppy

My family pack are back at last - I hear Rob turn the key
I must be quick to welcome them! They're all my life to me
Did I tear Fay's nylons in my haste, and scratch her arms as well?
Put paw prints on Rob's office suit, and hairs and widdle smell?

So I chewed Fay's pure wool jacket! well, she left it on a chair
It was warm and soft and perfumed; I pretended she was there
And Aunt Molly's wedding ornament knocked off the window-sill?
I was speaking to a passing friend, as any prisoner will.

Next door neighbors are complaining - how could I disturb their day?
What about that stinking corner where net curtains sag and sway?
And the wet shreds on the hearth rug, with spread feathers billowing up?
Well, soil cushions make find play-toys for an active lonely pup

Did I nip the hand that fed me? True - it smelled just like my plate
And I was starving hungry, and I've never had to wait
And if I brought my supper up across the bedroom floor
Who filled my plate so generously, and failed to close the door?

It's dark down here and chilly, and I'm feeling rather blue
Perhaps a song would cheer me up? Oh great, Rob's howling too!
My new pack boss is calling me - I must greet him with love
But why the screams and smacks and roars and threatening from above?

I lost my mother yesterday and all my litter pals
I'm small and cute and cuddly, with a host of playful wiles
I didn't choose to come here, I'm only six weeks old
I want so hard to please them - but all they do is scold.

~ Louise Maguire ~

Happy Puppy

Do you beg on the doorstep when you're hungry as sin?
Can a puppy just hope there's a way to get in?

I'm lost-and no home-and it's raining today-
Oh, why should a puppy get treated this way?

I guess I'm a mongrel with no fancy tag-
Should I bark or look mournful or let my tail wag?

Shhhh! Someone is coming-it looks like a boy!
Does HE need a puppy?-I'd be such a joy!

I'm so hungry!-He knows it...He's gone for some chow...
Will his mom let him feed me?-I'll pray harder now...

He feeds me! He pets me!-Could I stay just a while?
Could I play just an hour?-He's starting to smile...

There's his mom!-She sees me! He grabs me up tight!
Then she smiles...and pets me...maybe, just for tonight...

Now, what shall he call me? Oh, who will I be?
A home and a name...what a great day for me!

Tomorrow?-Who knows what my Fate will contrive...?
But tonight...I'm the happiest puppy...alive...

~ Author Unknown ~

Doggie Wonderland

Dog tags ring, are you listening'?
In the lane, snow is glistening'.
It's yellow, NOT white I've been there tonight,
Marking up my winter wonderland

Smell that tree? That's my fragrance.
It's a sign for wandering vagrants;
"Avoid where I pee, it's MY pro-per-ty!
Marked up as my winter wonderland."

In the meadow dad will build a snowman,
following the classical design.
Then I'll lift my leg and let it go Man,
So all the world will know that it's
mine-mine-mine!

Straight from me to the fence post,
flows my natural incense boast;
"Stay off my TURF, this small piece of earth,
I marked it as my winter wonderland."

~ Author Unknown ~

Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of Huskies filling their head.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the Husky was free of his chain and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Clause - with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick..
More rapid than eagles he called the Husky's name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain;
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Let's find this Sibe a home where he'll be loved by all"
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Clause had made one thing quite clear,
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.
A Husky should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"You weren't giving a gift! You were giving a life!"

~ Author Unknown ~

Behind This Kennel Door

As a pup I dreamed and wondered
What life would hold in store.
For me, I thought, there's something great!
Beyond that kennel door.
Out there are needy people
And I have much to give;
Love, and wit, and gentleness
To help them learn to live.

I'd be someone's protector,
Keep little ones from harm,
Or guide an old man's weary steps,
Or help to run a farm.
I'd run and bark and jump and play
With friends along a sandy shore,
I'd roll in meadows thick and green
That lie beyond that kennel door.

I'd lay there waiting -- longing--
As the days and years went by.
My owner kept me fed and brushed,
But inside, he let me die.
I do not think of greatness now,
I'm old and filled with pain.
My owner has some ribbons,
But I have lived in vain.

I cannot think what could have been,
My dreams are filled with hope no more.
Just floor and walls and broken heart
BEHIND THIS KENNEL DOOR!!!

~ Author Unknown ~

Good-bye

With heavy hearts, and a tear in our eyes
After all these years, we must say goodbye.
Please understand, we've done all we could
If there was anything we could do, you know we would.

I'm sitting right here, gently rubbing your ears
While I talk to you softly, trying to hold back the tears
The memories you gave us, we'll never forget
Especially the ones of the day we all met.

One last hug and one last kiss
You have no idea how much you'll be missed.
To look into your eyes this one last time
You tell me it's okay, you know it's your time.

Close your eyes now and go to sleep
We'll pray to the Lord your soul he'll keep
Go in peace now, our good friend
We'll stay right here with you until the end.

Dream of that special day and time
When we'll meet at the Bridge and all will be fine
We'll run and play, side by side
With a soft warm feeling deep down inside.

Your memory will live on in each one of us
You'll always be number one to all of us
Have a safe journey through the night
I promise when you awake, you'll be in God's light.

So with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes
Just for now my friend, we say goodbye.

~ John Quealy ~

The Power of The Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find - it's your own affair
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit has answered your every mood
Is gone - wherever it goes - for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

~ Rudyard Kipling ~

Walk With an Old Dog

Because you will not be forever,
Hope against time though I may,
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 I shared with you 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.

~ Gayl Jokiel ~

Winter of Life

Lord, he is old and weakened,
He walks where he used to run.
In his youth he was always a happy dog,
Now he sleeps his days away in the sun.

Please make his trail mostly level,
As he travels these last few miles.
Provide shade away from the heat of day,
Where he can stop and rest for awhile.

If it rains let the drops be gentle,
If it blows let the breeze be warm.
Let the winter of life be kind,
Provide shelter and keep him from harm.

Please Lord, if he must suffer,
Give the pain and hurting to me.
He has been through life's raging waters,
As only a man's dog can be.

He doesn't deserve to be hurting,
He has lived a hard and long time.
I hope as he leaves he'll be knowing,
Your love, as he has always known mine.

I raised him, Lord, from a puppy,
We have followed some rough rocky trails.
Please Lord, make this last trail gentle,
As he comes to where love never fails.

~ Author Unknown ~

God's Garden

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine".
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.