My dearest, darling, hairless friend
Whenever will this torture end?
You buy these teasing tasty treats
Like sausage, chicken and other meats
But then you hide them on the shelf,
Temptation must be bad for my health!

I’m such a good dog, most of the day,
It's not my fault my training strays.
But pity me, I have no thumbs
Instead of hand shakes, I sniff bums.
Don’t smugly tuck the food away!
You know I’ll get it anyway...

Remember that time you cooked the roast?
You were so proud, you had a boast:
‘I can’t wait, it’ll be divine!
The beef will go perfectly with the wine!’
I overheard and wanted to try,
Should I be left out? I don’t see why.

Ok, I shouldn’t have made a mess.
I may have got meat on your dress,
There could be gravy on the rug,
I might’ve broken your favourite mug.
But I just wanted to celebrate,
Because your roast really was that great!

Yes, it was totally destroyed,
And yes you really were annoyed,
Although I had no treats for a week
I hated that I couldn’t speak.
I wanted to say sorry to you,
Because I love you through and through.

I tried saying sorry with that dead bird
But that made you say more swear words.
I licked your face numerous times too
But you didn’t like that I’d been eating poo…
I even tried climbing in your bed
I'm sorry I was sick on the bedspread.

All I’m really trying to say
Is I can’t deny my doggy ways,
I may be a smelly, naughty pain
But really I think that’s your gain!
We have a laugh and so many hugs,
Please forgive me for breaking mugs?

Thanks for all the walks and runs
I love that we have so much fun.
You’re the best owner there could be
So please just listen to my plea!
Stop buying all this tasty food
And I will leave your roasts unchewed!

(I know I did it that one time
But I’m changed now, promise, I regret my crime)

written at the Herzl Camp

"A drunken man got mad at him / Because he barked in joy / He beat him and he's dying here today / Will you call the doctor please / And tell him if he comes right now / He'll save my precious doggy here he lay / Then he left the fluffy head / But his little dog was dead / Just a shiver and he slowly passed away."


*This extract comes from a poem called Little Buddy, and is controversial. Allegedly written at the Herzl camp there are claims it might be originated by someone else by the name of Hank Snow.

Growls or barks me from my easy sleep,
Dragging from my lips a groan, or sometimes worse,
Because a wind-blown branch is tapping at the house,
Or the neighbor dog is yelling out his worries to the moon.

Sometimes in the middle of the night, the dog
Moves from his place at our feet
To the valley between you and me,
Settles atop the comforter,
Lays his shaggy head upon my chest,
And sighs a deep, contented sigh
To say he is part of the pack, happily at rest.

Sometimes in the middle of the night I remember
That humans aren't the only family members.

A dog's life

On the dog the blazing sun pours
but closed are all the doors

hungry and thirsty and mad in heat
the asphalt burns his feet

Isn't there a kind heart
to see and feel his pain

to play God's part
as His will ordained?

Life without a roof

His bed is the pavement
roof the firmament

famished and sick
his pillow is a brick

people pass without a stare
if you're fine all else is fair

their sight is a shame
disreputes the city's fame

Where is God?

Full is His misery's cup
all muddled up
He has no clue

why nothing went fine
with his divine design
what to do!

Is all lost?*

Two gifts you still can feel
in your mind live their trace

to use them if you truly will
love and kindness*.