A boy and a dog

I want my boy to have a dog,

Or maybe two or three ...

He'll learn from them much easier

Than he would learn from me.

 

A dog will show him how to love

And bear no grudge or hate;

I'm not so good at that myself

But dogs will do it straight.

 

I want my boy to have a dog

To be his pal and friend,

So he may learn that friendship

Is faithful to the end.

 

There never yet has been a dog

Who learned to double-cross,

Nor catered to you when you won

Then dropped you when you lost.

 

(Marty Hale)