A dog

'Tis a 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 or 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 of his tail.

 

Now if I were to list the friends of mine in smiles and tears

Who through and through are staunch 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 skies 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)

 

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