*Friendship's Tapestry*

           So often when I think of you and all the times we shared
       My heart is filled with thankfulness to have a friend who cared
                   Enough to listen to all the joys and trials.
     You're being there has been enough to change my tears to smiles.
           The subtle love between two friends is so hard to define,
              especially when one is human and one is canine
               It is not a square or circle or even a straight line.
            It's somehow like a tapestry with colors soft and bold
         Yet deep within the weaving there are tiny threads of gold.
       Yes, rare and oh so lovely Are your friendships' threads of gold.
          For they will last a lifetime and then when my story's told.
         Someone will hold my tapestry and turn it towards the light,
    And tiny points, those threads of gold will gleam and shine so bright.
       And they may think - it's just a thread like green or red or blue-
        Perhaps they'll never ever know that golden thread was you.
        I've been thinking lately how you've touched my life just so -
    Of how you are so dear to me - with your warm heart and cold nose-
       That even when you're next to me or though we're miles apart
       Your golden thread of friendship still will weave within my heart.
                             --Author Unknown

THE JUDGE

                                 A judge's life
                               Is the life for me,
                               Picking the winners,
                                One, two, three.
                           Flying here and flying there,
                          I'll fly first class everywhere.
                        The best of food, the finest rooms,
                        Wealth and fame, overhead it looms.
                             I'll make new friends,
                                 By the score
                             They'll all come running
                             When I'm on the floor.
                           The compliments will come,
                                One, two, three.
                               I'll be so popular.
                                  Lucky Me!
                              May I get you a pop?
                              May I open the door?
                             Would you like my seat?
                          Would you like anything more?"
                                 A judge's life,
                                 Is it for me?
                               Withold the ribbons
                             On one, two and three.
                            The plane has a propeller.
                                The pilot is blind.
                             I don't see first class.
                               I'm losing my mind.
                           Thank goodness we landed!
                             Now, where is my room?
                            Over there in the closet,
                            Right next to the broom?
                                I'm very hungry.
                              I'm getting thinner.
                              Here comes supper.
                              Yuk! It's a TV dinner!
                               We're at the show.
                            Now for wealth and fame.
                              The show went broke.
                           Hey you, what's your name?
                                Get your own pop.
                               Get your own door.
                                You're the dummy.
                            Dumped my dog before!"
                          There's more to being a judge
                             Than at first I thought.
                            Perhaps I'll think it over,
                            Return the suit I bought.
                            I don't know how you do it.
                             I don't know how at all.
                           You must be damned crazy
                              To be a judge, at all!
                                ©  Carol Kufner
                                Winwood Kennels
                               German Shepherds

                                SHOW DAY

                          I'm a German Shepherd puppy,
                            Just starting my career.
                              I find it very funny,
                            The things I see and hear.
                           The rings are just gigantic,
                              As far as I can see.
                             I get to run my fastest,
                              At speeds over 103.
                             I often look behind me,
                            My handler is tiring fast.
                           Sometimes it looks doubtful,
                            If the poor soul will last.
                          It must be hard for handlers,
                              To run at such a pace.
                               I find it very funny,
                             To see their red face.
                           The judge has now said halt,
                             Darn good thing I think.
                          My handler is getting sweaty,
                             He's giving off a stink!
                         Oh no, here comes the awful part
                          What I go through to be a star.
                             Hey wait just a minute,
                          My legs don't stretch that far.
                           My handler grabs my mouth,
                            Yanks it open for all to see.
                           The judge is counting teeth,
                             Didn't nobody ask me!
                             Oh look, I see my Mom,
                           She's jumping up and down.
                            The judge looked at Mom,
                           With a very horrible frown.
                          Now we're running round again,
                            The judge has yelled slow.
                            My Mom called my name,
                            But now where did she go.
                            I run my little heart out,
                            Everytime I hear my name.
                            But every time I get there,
                           She's gone and moved again.
                          The judge has made his choices.
                            Hurray, he pointed to me.
                          Can I please have my rosette,
                            I have to go out and pee.
                             The show is now all over.
                              I really did my best.
                         My handler is going home, he said,
                             He really needs a rest.
                           The rosette is on the mantle.
                             My head's on Mom's lap
                         I know I made her happy to-day,
                           Now I'm going to take a nap.
                                ©  Carol Kufner
                                Winwood Kennels
                               German Shepherds

New Year's Resolutions made by your dog.

                  Have a torrid, one night stand with a street mutt.
              I will no longer be beholden to the sounds of the can opener.
              Take the time from my busy schedule and smell the behinds.
         I will not chase the damned stick unless I actually see it leave his hand.
                         Kill the sock! I must kill the sock!
                   Call PETA and tell them what that surgical mask
                   wearing freak does to us when no one is around.

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