A Father's Day Poem From the Dog

You feed me when I'm hungry,
You keep water in my dish,
You let me sleep on anything,
Or in any place I wish.

You sometimes let me lick your hands,
Or even lick your face,
Despite the fact I've licked myself,
In every private place.

You taught me how to come when called,
You taught me how to sit,
You always let me go outside,
So I can take a sh... Stroll.

You'll always have my loyalty,
Up to the bitter end,
'Cause after all, it's plain to see...
You are a dog's best friend!

 

 

WE HAVE A SECRET

 

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
For who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?

And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
And feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths
and see you ahead of me,
Your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
And when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.

 

 

FRIENDS FOREVERMORE

 

An old man wandered aimlessly, on a cold and rainy day.

He wished for friends and family, but all had passed away.

He thought he saw a movement from the corner of his eye.

An old shivering dog lay curled beneath the leaden sky.

 

The old man whistled for the dog, the sad sight made him weep.

Now if it follows me, he thought, this old dog I shall keep.

The old dog raised his shaggy head, with a longing in his eyes.

His tail was wagging slowly, as the old dog tried to rise.

 

Now the two became the best of friends, they were happy and content.

Until the old man knew one day, his time was nearly spent.

In his bed the old man lay, his heart was full of fear.

For the one that he would leave behind, the old dog that he held so dear.

 

But the angels came for both of them, that night as they both slept.

For the angels could not part them, so together they were kept.

They rose on wings together, up to heaven did they soar.

The old man and the shaggy dog, friends...forever more

 

 

THE SPIRIT OF A SHEPHERD DOG

 

I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a Shepherd Dog
Was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes
An ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of his being
I saw love there too.

His mind did lock upon my heart
As I stood there on that day
And he told me of this story
About a place so far away.

I stood upon that hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And in a twinkling of a second
His spirit left my feet.

His tale did put my heart at ease
My fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me
On another distant day.

I live among God's creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.

My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.
 

There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my Shepherd kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we're all winners in this place
We have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons
To each one, even me.

I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in an angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait.
 

 

TO LOVE ANOTHER

By Jim Willis 2002

 

Your eyes, so bright,

Your lick, so dear,

Your heart, so loyal,

Yet these, I fear.

 

A life so vibrant,

A bond so true!

How could I survive

the loss of you?

 

Your fur, so sleek,

Your gait, so spry,

Your years, so measured,

and more perfect than I.

 

Your end, too soon,

My heart, so lost,

Your lesson: "Love another,

no matter the cost."

 

Now a new one sleeps,

where once you lay,

and we're grateful to you,

for the gift of today.

 

The courage to love,

again, despite odds,

is what inspires humans

to be as good as dogs

 

 

TRAYS POEM

By Leslie Whalen

 

One by One, they pass by my cage,

Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.

Way past his time, he can't run and play.

Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

 

A little old man, arthritic and sore,

It seems I am not wanted anymore.

I once had a home, I once had a bed,

A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

 

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.

Who wants a dog so old and so frail?

My family decided I didn't belong,

I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

 

Whatever excuse they made in their head,

Can't justify how they left me for dead.

Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,

The younger dogs get adopted away.

 

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,

You saw my face, and I finally had hope.

You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,

And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

 

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,

And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.

We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,

You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

 

I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.

And I promise to return all the love I can give,

To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

 

I may be with you for a week, or for years,

We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.

And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,

I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

 

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,

My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.

And I will brag to all who will hear,

Of the person who made my last days so dear.

 

 

PUPPY PRAYER

 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

The king-size bed is soft and deep...

I sleep right in the centre 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!

 

 

BEYOND THE 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 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 lay here waiting, longing,

As the days and years went by,

My owner kept me fed and brushed,

But inside 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 floors and walls and a broken heart

For me behind this kennel door.

 

 

What a Puppy Understands

by Eric R. Ode

 

She's small and cute but underfoot.

She won't come when I call.

She gnaws and chews my finest shoes

and piddles in the hall.

She finds disguise in umber eyes

so innocently gazing,

then howls at night with all her might

until my voice is raising.

 

But truth be told, although I scold

with reprimands unbending,

she cocks her head at what I've said

as if uncomprehending.

 

Yet when I doubt what life's about

and question all I've known;

and when my heart has come apart,

and when I cry alone,

 

she licks my tear and snuggles near,

her head beneath my hands.

To my surprise, I realize

she truly understands.

 

 

Ode To Mr. Chewman

 

So carefully were you chosen so many months ago

By a happy Belgian puppy when his mommy let him go.

They'd come to shop for toys that day and it was you he took.

How could we know in later days you'd end up with this look?

 

You whiled away the happy hours with the little Belgian boy

From time to time forgotten, but still his favourite toy.

The spins you took in the washer never seemed to bother you

But as this day grew closer I wonder if you knew.

 

On a hot and sunny summer day, no different from the rest

I heard a distant rumbling, more storms coming from the west?

By then the floor was shaking and the walls were trembling too,

"Look out!", I cried, "A Belgian stampede!" but it was too late for you.

 

Both boys it seems had chosen you to play with on that day

And the tug of war that followed had you caught amidst the fray.

I heard your laces giving way that horrid ripping sound

I didn't hurry down the stairs. I knew what would be found.

 

There was stuffing in the hallway. There was stuffing on the stair.

There was stuffing on the carpet. There was stuffing in the air.

There was stuffing on the sofa. There was stuffing on the wall.

There was so much stuffing, I thought I'd never find it all.

 

There was stuffing in the kitchen. There was stuffing in my hair.

There was stuffing in the stereo. How did that get there?

I finally found your un-stuffed form sprawled limply on the floor.

Your head was ripped your arm half off I knew you'd play no more.

 

I cast about and hunted for your squeaker long I quested.

But it was no where to be found, it must have been ingested.

I can not say that I was shocked by what they did my friend.

I only hope your sweet revenge will come out in the end.

 

 

My FAVOURITE Room
by Mary Kiger

 

The kitchen, oh yes, my favourite room,
That's where all those great aromas loom.
 

Is that chicken, fish, or steak?
I'm not sure what I just ate!!

 

My mom calls me a kitchen bum,
'Cause I sit under the table and wait for a crumb.

 

I put my head up on the table,
And steal a lick of whatever I'm able.

 

Over in the corner is a little can,
Mom puts stuff there, even scrapes a pan.

 

I tip it over and drag stuff out,
And end up with coffee grounds all over my snout.

 

Hey! What was that you dropped on the floor?
It sure was good. Give me MORE!! MORE!! MORE!!

 

 

Joy to the World

 By Cyndee Walklet

 

*Joy to the World* - I can hear the people sing

In the building down the road where all the bells do ring

What is this *joy* they sing about I wonder to myself

As I lie here in the cold and wet upon this bare wood shelf

My sable fur once soft and clean is matted to the skin

My rib and hip bones jutting out  - I can barely raise my chin

There are others too at this sad place who share a common fate

What did we do to earn this life and get in such a state?

I had some puppies here with me about a week ago

But they're gone now and I'm glad  'cause its begun to snow

Does God know I loved and nursed them - tried to keep them warm

Though in the end - it mattered not * they were never safe from harm.

Are snowflakes really frozen tears from Heaven up above

To comfort those like us * alone and lost * with no one left to love?

The snowflakes fall so soft and still and muffle out the cry

Of the old one in the next cage down * I think she's going to die.

A glow appears amongst the flakes and slowly takes the form

Of a dog like me in better times * it approaches through the storm.

The old dog breathes just one more time and suddenly lies still

An empty shell is all that's left, my prophecy fulfilled.

The glowing dog floats to her cage - the door opens on its own

He leans over her still, thin form and says *I've come to take you home.

 

Home to the Bridge where there is light and soft grass on which to play

The sun shines always - warm and bright - all through out the day.

You'll have a lap in which to sit, hands to softly stroke your face

Someone to show the love to you that you missed in this sad place.*

With that, the old one floated up and took her place along side -

Once again she's young and whole - then the two began to glide.

I cried out as they began to leave, *Please take me there with you!

Don't leave me in this horrid place.  Is there nothing you can do?*

The glowing one turned and smiled and said *Its not your time

To travel to the Bridge my friend.* Then I heard a faint, soft chime.

Eyes raised above, he listened close and looked at me again.

*Its Christmas Eve, you now must go to the building down the lane

Where the bells do ring this night of nights and you will sit and wait

In the stable filled with straw and light next to the wooden gate.

When the singing stops and people leave, one will stop and see your face

 

Be not afraid, for this is one who has an inner grace.

She rescues those who are lost or hurt and keeps them safe from harm

You will find the Bridge on earth my friend when you settle in her arms.*

With that he turned with my old friend, his glow grew very bright

It surrounded both, his wings unfurled and they flew away from sight.

I sat a moment in the dark and then heard a small pop

The door to my cage had opened up - I leapt out with a small hop.

My shaky legs took me to the lane where I could see the light

From the building with the ringing bells * my little heart grew tight.

But I thought of what the glowing dog had said and then I was at peace.

My fear was gone, strength filled my soul, I felt a strange release.

Not knowing what the world would hold in store for one as small as me

Faith gave me strength as I trotted slowly on towards my new destiny.

 

 

He Will Come

Don't close the door, don't push me away
Why are you leaving? Don't make me stay.
Slow down the car, I can't keep up
This pavement is hot and my pads are cut.

I've got to quit running or my heart will pop,
Every muscle is aching, why don't you stop?
I'm so hungry and thirsty, darkness is near
But I shouldn't leave, he will come for me here.

Several weeks have passed, I'm dead on my feet.
They call me a nuisance because I eat off the streets.
Every car that passes I chase it to see
If it is my master coming for me.

Though I approach those that come near
With trust in my eyes and no sign of fear,
With hate in their voices and a cold, heartless stare
They threaten to kill me, they don't even care.

Batter my body with rocks that they throw
I will not leave, he will come, don't you know?
Overtaken with weakness my body is numb
I'm sick and so lonely, Oh please let him come!

I will go back to where he first threw me out
I'll wait for him there, he will come, no doubt.
My thoughts are fading, my chest feels like lead.
I'm sleepy, so sleepy, I can't lift my head.

It's so quiet, so peaceful - all remains still.
There is my master at my home on the hill.
Yes I can see him, he's calling my name.
His voice is so gentle, his hands are the same.

He decided he wants me, things will be fine.
I really do love him, that master of mine.
My tail wags with pleasure, I can't catch my breath.
He came in my dreams but so did my death.
 

 

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