Oh! Aged pup with whiskers grey
slowly bounding, the want to play
offering barks at break of day
sad eyes long at the empty tray –

can you still: jump into the truck,
catch a squirrel with a little luck,
swim with fervor after a duck,
walk through the house covered in muck? –

one hundred pound lab/ mastiff mix
memories come complete with pics
got him 10 weeks, already fixed
11 years later… with a couple of tricks –

Looking back at love and good times
river tromping and gravel roads which would wind
joys and sadness’s fill my mind
thankful as I draw the last line –

knowing illness which would not be postponed
will take my pup away from his bones
leaving me broken, sitting here all alone
I will bury him in the hills he roamed  --

some will say it’s just an old dog
be of good cheer and lift that fog
leave behind the mire be free from the bog
try something fun, go for a jog

some folks just cannot understand
love from pets is a helping hand
no one better in all the land
as if this were all just pre-planned

some greater mind knew our limit
granted a companion, perfect fit
like bat to ball or glove to mitt
one who will beg, roll, stay, and sit

protecting friend or listener
alert you to danger with a simple grrrrr
so much better than a kitty cat purr
with variations on length of fur

yes, dogs are best for humans in life
next to a child, loved one, husband or wife
they stand right with you despite any strife
and have teeth and claws better than a knife

so go on and take a little advice
even if you have the risk of some lice
and dogs will do nothing to protect you from mice
but in bad times they will even eat rice

they prefer leg of lamb or some other meat
but in evenings so quiet they will lay at your feet
and be at the door for people to greet
while offering something to periodically beat

but animal abuse is against the law
and you’ll do some time if anyone saw
you beating a dog with a log or scrimshaw
besides who could hit such a cute little paw

no, ‘tis better to love all our animal brothers
and give them the love we show to our mothers
without going overboard and taking them as lovers
….no ******* the dogs in the bed under covers! –