Why own a Show 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 is delightful, the sixth one's a breeze.
You find you can live with a house full, 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 just one more dog and one more little crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty.
The floor is all footprints, the furniture's dusty.
The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints 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 feel sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.
The food bill grows larger, you owe the vet money.
Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
except other dog folks who live the same way.
Your lawn has now died and your shrubs are dead too,
Your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.
There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots
and entries and travel, and motels cost lots.
Is it worth it, you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite comes up and climbs in your lap.
Her look says you're special and you know that you will
keep all the critters in spite of the bill.
Some just for showing, and some just to breed,
and some just for loving, they all fill a need.
Winter is a hassle, but the dogs love it true,
And they must have their walks though you are numb and blue.
Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout
at the dogs on the sofa, who refuse to go out.
The dogs and the dog shows, the travel, the thrills
the work and the worry, the pleasure, the bills.
The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are your life.
They're charming and funny and offset the strife.
Your lifestyle has changed, things just won't be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive and so's the dog game.
The retired showdog
He sits to the side, out of the way
While others beg head rubs, or force you to play.
His dark liquid eyes watch your every move
Hoping and waiting, his love to prove.
He was shown many times, a promising pup
And he just got better as he grew up.
A picture of health, robust and strong,
His gait and topline, never went wrong.
But his prime has passed, and he seems to know,
That he'll never again be put in a show.
He eats, sleeps, not much more than that,
And maybe he's getting a little too fat.
He loves to be brushed, when you have the time,
He waits his turn at the end of the line.
You think of him, sure, but not nearly as much
As those promising pups, that new special and such.
So he sits and he waits, till you have time,
To make the same fuss as you did in his prime.
A scrap of affection, or playful shove,
To him it means everything, to him it means Love.
Old dog in a locket
Old dog in a locket
That lies next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did right from the start.
You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay.
Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand.
Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold.
I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need.
I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet any fears.
I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in times of need
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me.
I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beats in time with mine
So I would know that love would find me
At some distant time.
And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet, spring-like day
But I knew that part of you
Was always here to stay.
Old dog in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
Even though we had to part.
Laments of a stud
My job is making puppies, and I get two tries at that.
They pat me on the head and say "good boy" - and that's that.
It's half my job to give 'em teeth and toplines, fronts and other.
Remember, it's only half my job. They also have a mother.
It's not my job to carry pups and make 'em grow and nurse 'em,
And feed and clean and make 'em strong, that's for Mother and a person.
It's not my job to wean and feed the calcium and food.
And stack and gait and housebreak and make 'em a showing brood.
It's not my job to plan the breeding and learn what produces well.
To study pedigrees, learn what's there and pick out what to sell.
It's not my job to guarantee champs, the breeder picks the pair.
To mate and whelp and feed and show and HOPE the champ is there.
It's not my job to be on hand when points are given out,
The breeder, owner, Dam and friends take credit with a shout.
It's not my job to deliver a winner, it's only genes I sell.
But let the puppies turn out BAD and guess who catches HELL!!!
A Dogs Soul.
Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgement carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho'he is unloved,
And he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!
From the other side
stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.
If it should be
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only, stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see
It is a kindness that you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Do not grieve it should be you
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
A dogs prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master,
for no heart in the world is more grateful for kindness than my loving heart.
Do not break my spirit with a stick
for though I would lick your hand between blows,
your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things
you would have me do.
Speak to me often,
for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet please take me inside
for I am now a domestic animal no longer used to bitter elements.
I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Though you had no home,
I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow,
for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water for,
although I would not reproach you were it dry,
I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well to romp and play and do your biding,
walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life
should yours be in danger.
Good Bye Baby
No more lonely cold nights or hearing that I'm bad
No more growling belly from the meals I never had
No more scorching sunshine with a water bowl that's dry
No more complaining neighbors about the noise when I cry.
No more hearing "shut up", "get down" or "get out of here"!
No more feeling disliked, only peace is in the air.
Euthanasia is a blessing, though some still can't see
why I was ever born If I weren't meant to be.
My last day of living was the best I ever had.
Someone held me very close, I could see she was very sad.
I kissed the lady's face, and she hugged me as she cried.
I wagged my tail to thank her, then I closed my eyes and died.
Written by an Animal shelter volunteer in Massena, NY
You can't buy loyalty, they say, I made my bid, and on the spot I bought a single, trusting heart,
I bought it though, the other day;
You can't buy friendship, tried and true,
Well, just the same, I bought that too.
Bought love and faith and a whole job lot
Of happiness,so all in all
The purchase price was pretty small.
That gave devotion from the start.
If you think these things are not for sale,
Buy a brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.
THE LESSON.
I learnt a lesson not too long ago,
When I took my dog to an All Breeds show.
As I watched him standing in the ring,
I overheard a comment which hurt with a sting.
'Twas then I realised there in a trice,
Don't say anything if it isn't nice.
Each dog may have his faults in your eyes,
You may not like his colour, movement or size.
But to the person who loves him he's the most perfect thing,
That's why he's showing him there in the ring!
We'd all like to win, but there aren't many blues,
The judge may not give one to your dog and you.
So remember,each dog is a winner in his own master's heart,
So please don't stand there and pick him apart
THE OLD SHOW DOG
by Cindy L. Williams
He was a real nice show dog, but his glory days are through,
And he gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.
They're loading up the van now, 'cause they're going to a show,
But his showing days are over, and he doesn't get to go.
He watches, tail a waggin', his eyes as bright as they can get,
As his crate goes in he wonders why they haven't bathed him yet.
Then your eyes meet through the kennel fence, and you have to look away,
How are you going to tell him that he's staying home today?
Retirement, they call it, now he's in his 'golden years.'
He doesn't look as old, though, when your eyes are full of tears.
And you think of all the rosettes, and the Best in Show he won,
The more he showed, the better he got, and then he had a son...
And so now for the first time, you are leaving him behind,
And trying to convince yourself he doesn't really mind.
He sees the younger dog get in, and he's looking pretty low,
But there isn't time to cheer him up, you really have to go.
'Be a good boy, old dog, this time you have to stay!'
He doesn't bark or climb the fence, he simply looks away
Just like a nice old show dog, whose glory days are through,
He gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.
Yes, he used to be a show dog, but the glory doesn't last
And he's gazing out the kennel gate, remembering the past.
A PLACE IN OUR HEARTS
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
The Vagabond And His Dog
It was another Christmas day
And God looked out to see
What scripture promise came to pass,
What promise would not be.
Andturning aside, HE turned his eyes
To those who'd dwell inside,
To those who'd warm by Heaven's hearth And those who'd be denied.
And HE saw a man at St. Peter's gate,
A mongrel dog at his feet,
And a line that reached to the dark of night
As far as the eye could see.
And St. Peter looked at the disheveled two
And challenged the wretch to say,
What deeds he'd done, what praise he'd won
To walk in Heaven's way.
And the vagrant stood in his shabby robe
And not one word he spoke,
As though he heard not a single word
This man in the tattered cloak.
The grace of Heaven's line?
What honors earned? What evils spurned? Pray help me be inclined."
But the wretched soul and his shepherd hound
Stayed on without a sound
As though no deed could come to mind,
As though no reason found.
"Can you not find one deed so fine,
To merit entrance here?
Can none attest some honored quest,
A challenge still unclear?"
And still he stood and but held the leash
That stayed the mongrel hound.
Until he knelt to feel the ground
And kiss the furry crown.
As love was cast in skin and bone,
He held the dog around,
And Heaven watched and Heaven judged
This vagabond and his hound.
"What seeds were sowed that a flower'd grow
When you'd depart the scene?
A single tree? One slave made free?
One clean and shining sea?
Was not one life made free of strife
Along the path you strolled?
Was not one child encouraged to smile?
No good that can be told?"
And all looked on at the vagabond
Who held the unkempt hound.
But not one voice to sway the choice,
No plaintiff voice was found.
when at last, his patience past,
St. Peter bid unkind
And motioned on to the dark beyond,
"No reason you can find?"
"Not one but simple virtue be
That all of us may see?
Not one redeeming act of faith
Did bring you here to me?
In all your time can you not find
One voice for yours to plea?
In all your time can you not find
One voice to vouch for thee?"
And now at last his time though past,
The vagabond turned to speak;
And his eyes were filled with tears that spilled
And coursed the craggy cheeks.
And from his heart the speech did start
To argue not his sake,
But to plead the cause of the mongrel dog,
That lay in Heaven's wake.
"Perhaps it ain't for me to see
The paradise within.
I was a simple soul on earth
This hound's my only kin.
But if the children's smiles count,
His cup's filled to the brim.
Oh, I can vouch for this hound, your grace.
I can vouch for him.
You should' a seen them laugh and run
When he was all their game.
You should' a seen the love he gave
And never once complain.
And when the tide of time arose
And naught was there to eat,
He shared the taste of an empty plate
And stayed at these failing feet.
It ain't for me," he whispered soft,
"It ain't for me I ask.
But don't deprive this poor old hound
For what his master lacks.
If caring and sharing and loyalty
Are virtues of your size,
Consider one who lacks of none,
Let Heaven be his prize.
It matters not what comes of me,
Or what may come about.
But it just ain't fair. It wouldn't be fair
To keep my poor hound out.
No friend has ever been so true.
No man has walked a line,
Who never strayed, but not this dog,
This hound that I call mine."
His fingers stroked the shaggy coat
And the dog licked back the hand;
And as much was said in the silence there,
Than since God's quest began.
And then abrupt, the hound looked up
And labored with its head
To lick this face of human grace,
This man of tattered thread.
And suddenly a calm would be
That tethered every sound.
And a warm breeze blew that embraced the two,
This vagabond and his hound.
And St. Peter turned to the mist beyond
And paused with uplifted head.
To heed the voice of Almighty God
And to do as HE has said.
I've set the task and I have asked
For virtues held and shared.
To dwell in a world of every kind
And for every kind have cared.
And now I've seen dimensions dreamed
That seldom I've seen before,
A simple man and his faithful hound,
Denied at my own door?"
With pen in hand, St. Peter began
To enter on his list,
The names of those whom God had chosen
To dwell in Heaven's bliss.
And one belonged to a vagabond
And the other he called his kin;
The man who vouched for an old hound dog
And the hound dog who vouched for him.
Waiting
High up in the courts of heaven today
A little dog angel waits;
With the other angels he will not play,
But he sits alone at the gates.
For I know my master will come, says he,
And when he comes he will call for me.
The other angels pass him by
As they hurry towards the throne,
And he watches them with a wistful eye
As he sits at the gates alone.
But I know if I just wait patiently
That someday my master will call for me.
And his master, down on Earth below,
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets sometimes, and whispers low
To the dog, who is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears,
And dreams that his master's voice he hears.
And when at last his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold,
For the hand of death to open the door,
That leads to those courts of gold,
He will hear a sound through the gathering dark,
A little dog angel's bark.
It's a Dog's Life
Who was it once stated that I'm your best friend?
Well, if I had a choice,there's no way I'd spend
The rest of my miserable life with you lot.
It's such an indignity being called spot.
It should be illegal, the way that I'm treated,
I think it's unfair, I feel I've been cheated.
I'm faithful, I'm loyal, I work like a dog,
Pardon the pun, but mine's a hard slog.
I'm honest, devoted, intelligent too,
You'd no doubt dispute that, but I know it's true.
I'm all of these things, just to mention a few,
And what do you feed me? Minced Kangaroo !!
I round up your cattle, I guard you at night,
I don't mess your lawn, I don't pick a fight,
I don't chase the postman, I don't ever bite.
But I can't take a trick, can't do a thing right.
I come when you call me, I never complain,
Yet you expect me to sleep in the rain !
You tell me I'm lazy, I'm getting too fat,
Yet I get into trouble for chasing the cat!!
You drag me along to some inane show,
To win some cheap ribbon, to massage your ego.
You think that I'm happy, you don't know the half,
You tell me life's tough, but don't make me laugh !!
You live in a daze, an euphoric fog,
Think yourself lucky you weren't born a dog.
P.S. Sometimes while dreaming, the notion will strike me,
How would you treat me, if you didn't like me?