Dog Poems and Praise



A DOG:

"Tis pity not to have a dog, for at the long day's end,
The man or boy will know the joy,
Of welcome from a friend.

And whether he be rich or poor,
Or much of little bring,
The dog will mark his step and bark,
As if he were a King.

Though gossips whisper now and then,
Of faults they plainly see,
And some may sneer, from year to year,
My dog stays true to me.

He's glad to follow where I go,
And though I win or fail,
His love for me he'll let me see,
By wagging his tail.

Now if I were to list the friends
Of mine in smiles and tears,
ho through and through are staunch and and true,
And constant down the years,
In spite of all my many faults,
Which critics catalog,
Deserving blame,
I'd have to name
My ever-faithful dog.

"Tis pity not to have a dog,
Whatever be his breed,
for Dogs possess a faithfulness,
Which humans sadly need.
And whether skys be blue or gray,
Good luck or ill
Attend, Man's toil by day, a dog will stay,
His ever-constant friend.
Edgar A. Guest




NO CHARGE FOR LOVE

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.
He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups.
And set about nailing it to a post on the
edge of his yard. As he was driving the
last nail into the post,he felt a tug on
his overalls. He looked down into the
eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said,
"I want to buy one of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the
sweat of the back of ! his neck,
"These puppies come from fine parents and
cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment.
Then reaching deep into his pocket,
he pulled out a handful of change and held
it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine
cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer, and with that he
let out a whistle. Here, Dolly!" he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran
Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the
chain link fence. His eyes danced with
delight. As the dogs made their way to the
fence,the little boy noticed something else
stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another
little ball appeared, this one noticeably
smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a
somewhat awkward manner, the little pup
began hobbling toward the others,doing its
best to catch up.... "I want that one,"
the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and
said, "Son, you don't want that puppy.
He will never be able to run and play with
you like these other dogs would. " With that
the little boy stepped back from the fence,
reached down, and began rolling up one leg
f his trousers. In doing so he revealed a
steel brace running down both sides
of his leg attaching itself to a specially
made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer,
he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well
myself, and he will need someone who
understands. " With tears in his eyes,
the farmer reached down and picked
up the little pup. Holding it carefully
he handed it to the little boy.
"How much?" asked the little boy.
"No charge," answered the farmer,
"There's no charge for love."
Author Unknown





TRIBUTE TO A DOG
"Senator Vest, of Missouri, was attending a court in a country town, and while waiting for the trial of a case in which he was interested, he was urged by the attorneys in a dog case to help them. He was paid a fee of $250 by the plaintiff.

Voluminous evidence was introduced to show that the defendant had shot the dog in malice, while the other evidence went to show that the dog had attacked the defendant. Vest took no part in the trial and was not diposed to speak.

The attorneys, however, urged him to make a speech, else their client would not think he had earned his fee. Being thus urged, he arose, scanned the face of each juryman for a moment, and said:

'Gentleman of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith.

The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps, when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in the moment of ill-considered action.

The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles it's cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side.

He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master, as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When the riches
take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is constant in his love as the sun in it's journey through the heavens.

'If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that he accompany him, to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in it's embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold
ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.'

"Senator Vest sat down. He had spoken in a low voice, without any gesture. He made no reference to the evidence of the merits of the case. When he finished, judge and jury were wiping their eyes. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $500. He had sued for $200. This case was heard in 1870.




"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive
evidence that you are wonderful."
Ann Landers





A Dogs Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the 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 footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should 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 bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
Author Unknown


Thanks to Leslie for sending me these Dog Poems and stories.