What Is That??
What is that? Well, it’s a dog, for sure not a cat!
As for the breed, who can figure that?!
One ear flops, one ear sticks up,
One has no hair, the other has tufts!
His tail is smooth but just to the end,
Straggly hair there and the end of it bends.
His coat so uneven, parts straight and part curls,
Long scraggly whiskers cover teeth white as pearls.
Long skinny legs with feet big as snowshoes,
Eyes not the same either, one brown and one blue!
His color all mucky, neither this nor that,
Who can figure the breed, can’t tell where it’s at!
A “show dog” he’s not just so ugly he’s cute
And his little “kissy” tongue I just can’t rebuke.
A dump in my yard and so thankful is he
To find someone friendly, a softy, like me.
I see past the “ugly” of this little dog
For inside there’s a heart bigger than us all.
Asleep at my feet as I sit and write,
Secure is he now as those big feet run in flight.
His size I don’t worry nor even his looks
For in my heart he’s won his special nook.
Whoever dumped him cheated themselves,
If I knew who they were, I’d thank them myself.
What is that? Who knows and who cares
For the rest of his life my home he will share.
For my life he’s already brightened, you see,
This little dumped dog someone gave to me.
Kathy Henderson
11 - 1998
When I Was a Pup
When I was a pup it was to my delight
To roll in the mud wherever I might.
My Mom yelled and yelled tho I couldn’t see
Why she’d grab the hose and squirt cold water on me!
The mud was so cool and squished through my toes
And I loved all the smells it held for my nose.
If she’d just let it dry it would shake from my coat
Then I wouldn’t need squirted by that old cold hose!
But chase me she does tho she’s funny to see
As she slips and she slides in the mud after me.
I don’t think I want to understand her words
For some words I know that humans call “curse”.
I think it’s a game, a delightful one to
As she gets covered in mud the same as I do.
But when the games over and I have been caught
She grabs that cold hose, escape I cannot!
Herself she cleans with water so warm
While I shiver and shake my look so forlorn.
But she has no sympathy for poor pitiful me
Cause she knows tomorrow my game we’ll repeat!
I know she loves me, she knows I love mud
And snicker I will when she falls with a thud!
I’ll hear her bad words and feel that cold hose
But as long as there’s mud I’ll be in it she knows.
I guess human senses just aren’t as refined
For the treasures in mud are many I find.
Now that I’m grown and no longer a pup,
Trained and obedient I’ll even sit up,
But let the rain come and see the glow in my eyes
For there is new mud and that hose I despise!
Kathy Henderson
11 - 1999
When Memories Surface
When memories surface how many do you see?
It's overwhelming the one's for me!
Many, many dogs have shared my life,
Like people each one different as day and night.
Each personality different, each one truly special.
Not one in so many possessed any evil.
Were it but possible I'd still have each one
Gathered all 'round me when my day is done.
So many precious souls I've had in my trust,
I loved each one dearly, it's so hard to adjust
To being without a dog but it has to be.
Tho pity me not for I have many memories to see
I remember each one with love just for me.
There are those people who've never known
Or cared to have a dog in their home.
I have trouble understanding their hardness of heart,
Maybe because I've had dogs since my start.
When memories surface they bring a smile to my face,
And yes sometimes tears for their empty space.
For the years I have left on Gods sweet earth
I'll remember each one and value their worth.
Should prayers be answered and Heavens gate I see,
Oh, what a pack will be waiting for me!
I'll count each head, make sure no one's missing
Then get down to business of hugging and kissing.
It should take forever but then times not a problem
To renew the love I remember so often.
When your memories surface enjoy each one
Kept close in your heart when your day is done.
For each one is different, they won't be repeated,
The love each one shares never depleted.
So when its quiet and memories return
Take peace in knowing their love you did earn.
Kathy Henderson
4 - 1999
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