Have You Ever Wondered?

Have you ever wondered why you do what you do?
Your new pup for instance you bought just for you.
Sounds so easy, just feed him and take him for walks,
Isn’t he cute, he tips his head when you talk.
Didn’t anyone tell you a pups full of energy?
The trials you’ll go through believe me are plenty!
You must puppy-proof your home for nothing is sacred.
And if you think he can’t get it, believe me, he’ll make it!
You can plan on new holes in your yard bigger than he is,
And he’ll arrange your landscaping the way that HE pleases!
When company is here and you get this strange aroma….
Then you see him sneaking from behind the sofa!
Alright, now that I have your attention,
There are a few other things I need to mention.
Are you ready to fight fleas, worms, hair and the like?
Trips to the vet in the middle of the night?
Now are you wondering why you did what you did?
You sigh and you think, “He’s worse than a kid!!”
He tips his head at you, wags his tail, licks your hand,
Your heart he holds captive, this precious little man.
Even when naughty his antics are cute.
It’s memories he’s making and all just for you.
He’ll grow up one day then you can relax,
The rules of the house by then will be facts.
You’ll think back and wonder, is this the same dog?
This one has manners, no trouble at all!
He’s faithful and loving tho sometimes still bold,
But to him you are Mom, it’s your heart he holds.
Now you know why you did what you did.
Miss one day of it?  Heaven forbid!!
Kathy Henderson
2 - 1999

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He Sits Alone

He sits all alone looking for you,
Scared and confused, don’t know what to do.
If he strays from this spot you might never find him
So he’s not going to move, you can’t even lure him.
People they pass and they look at him there,
Some smile as they go, but most just don’t care.
He sits all alone; he looks so lonely….
His whines no one hears, he waits for you only.
A pretty little guy, how can this be?
To be left alone for the whole world to see.
He didn’t understand when you had to go,
Bills have to be paid no choice you know!
So there he sits, framed in the window
Watching for you and seeing the wind blow.
Perched on top of your favorite chair,
He thinks you won’t know you won’t see the hair.
He’ll disappear when he sees you coming,
At the doors where he’ll be dancing and spinning!
He’ll whine and bark, maybe even howl,
So happy is he that you’re home now!!
Kathy Henderson
10 - 1998

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Her Trembling Hand

We walk in the door, he struts by my side,
We’ve entered a place where the elderly abide.
The old folks they smile as he speaks to each one,
Not one step further until they’re attention he’s won.
He knows his job, he’s as serious as can be,
Doesn’t miss not one person as he walks before me.
Then he stops in his tracks, stands ever so still
As a bird dog on point for a covey of quail.
Then bolts down the hall toward a room out of view,
Yanked the lead from my hand, quite shocked I was to!
Never has he shown this manner before
But I didn’t catch him before he nosed in the door.
In there lay a woman, just as fragile as could be
Drawn up in a knot as a new baby so sweet.
So timid he was as he walked to her bedside
And before I could speak leaped to lay by her side.
So softly he whined and she opened her eyes,
She tried hard to smile when my dog she recognized.
She tried to reach him but her hand trembled so,
Tears welled in her eyes for she had no control.
He pushed his head under her old trembling hand,
My eyes filled with tears for her pain I couldn’t stand!
Their eyes met as he softly whined a message,
One she understood for she then made her passage.
Her trembling hand stilled, still around my dog’s neck,
His head raised to the heavens a low howl to detect.
So pitiful the howl, he had such deep pain
For her trembling hand now stilled on his mane.
I swear he had tears tho my eyes were so blurred
As I cried shamelessly for what had just occurred.
I didn’t make him leave but let him have his time,
Finally he licked her stilled hand then turned to lick mine.
As we left the room he glanced back once more,
Tail wagging so slowly as I quietly closed the door.
I can’t explain that days happening nor will I even try
But for her trembling hand…I saw my dog cry.
Kathy Henderson
9 - 1999

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