As I journey through life
Walk with me
Through joy and strife
Walk with me
On warm summer days
Walk with me
In cool Autumn haze
Walk with me
in deep winter snows
Walk with me
Where the youth of spring grows
You are my companion
My partner my pride
Who walks here beside me
My friend ...
My dog ...
My guide.
William Madera
My, my, what a lovely dog, does he bite?
I'm already petting him, I hope it's alright.
Well, no, it's not, you see he's at work
Oh, then excuse me for asking, you cranky old jerk.
Is that a blind dog, Mommy, and is that man blind?
Hush, hush, my darling, don't be unkind
Just slink past quietly, with him have no dealings
We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings.
We go to a cafe for something to eat
Just through the doorway and what do we meet?
Somebody shouting, "You can't bring that dog here
Some patrons have allergies and others have fear!"
But this is a guide dog, you can't turn us away
Have you never heard of the A.D.A?
No I have not, and I couldn't care less
Just leave here immediately and don't leave a mess!
We turn to the door and leave on the double
I can't afford to start any trouble
For an important appointment I need to attend
No time to build bridges or fences to mend.
To get there on time I needed a ride
But an unwilling cabbie I couldn't abide
So I aimed for a bus stop I thought was nearby
And my dog went straight to it...What a guy!
In the fullness of time along came a bus
By then a small crowd had gathered with us
I ask the driver just as we board
To call my stop, but my plea was ignored.
"Excuse me, I'm lost, need help, do you mind?"
You don't need to shout, I can hear, I'm just blind
Your help is appreciated but what's "here" and where's "there"?
Well, thanks anyway, I guess we all have crosses to bear.
Are you training that dog, or is he training you?
You keep talking to him, shouldn't he know what to do?
How does he know when the traffic light's red?
How much did he cost and what is he fed?
On and on and so it goes
Trouble and strife and toil and woes
But just a darn minute, it could be worse
What if there was nothing worth putting to verse?
At the end of the day it's not a bad life
I have a nice home and a wonderful wife
And on top of all that, last but not least
It's even made richer by this wonderful beast.
Bob Fallis with the assistance of Leader Dog Sonny September 1997
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