King of the Track

I went with my mom to the pet store today.

We needed dog food and new Frisbees for play.

When mom pulled into her parking place,

a man and woman were in each other’s face.

Seems she had taken his parking spot.

These Christmas shoppers make a full parking lot.

Mom leashed me up and said, Let’s get in the store.

We headed in as she locked her doors.

On the way in I saw a strange sight,

six tall skinny dogs wearing harnesses so tight.

I heard a woman saying these dogs used to race.

This one right here was always in first place.

The woman explained they race on a track,

until they slow down, then they take them out back.

They're only needed when they're very fast.

As for these guys, their time has passed.

I looked in the eyes of the one called King.

Had that look like he'd lost everything.

I looked at mom like, “Can we help him out?”

She gave them a 20 and said, let’s get in here and get out!

Once in the store, I heard a loud yell.

An argument over a collar with a bell.

Half priced collar causing a fight.

Grownups acting like kids, a terrible sight.

Mom found the Frisbees and dog food too.

A much larger bag than we usually do.

Got to the register, what a long line.

Everyone complaining, we don’t have much time.

Then a guy in the line made a fuss,

threw a tantrum and started to cuss.

Made the poor cashier lady cry,

seems she had shorted him a dime!

I was tired of this and wanted to go home.

Into my own backyard, but I always roamed alone.

I had always wished for a special friend.

A lifelong buddy until the end.

Finally, we're about to get out of this place.

I hate going by the dogs with frowns on their face.

I'm going to trot by, not even stare.

“Mom! Why are you going over there?”

I heard her tell the lady, “People are selfish these days,”

Always about themselves and wanting their way.”

These poor dogs have done nothing wrong.

Just slightly slower now, than when they once were strong.

I want that beauty that you call King.

We will spoil him rotten. Give him everything!

I looked at him. I swear I saw a smile

that could light up a hillside for miles and miles.

Mom did the paperwork while he and I sniffed.

I call him, my Christmas gift.

Mom put us in the car. We sat in the back.

As she drove off, she tossed us a snack.

At the red light there was a homeless man.

Held a sign it said, help if you can.

Mom gave him money. We didn’t get very far.

 saw him walk over and get in a brand-new car.

Then I began thinking of the bad things I saw,

the tears that were cried and the names that were called.

When I first saw King, my heart was sad,

but ONE act of kindness wiped out everything bad!

So, keep your light shining people. Be the one that does right.

It’s good for your soul and helps you sleep at night!

Merry Christmas!

(Jerry Wayne Baldwin; from “This K-9 of Mine”)

*****

I would like to thank Jerry Wayne Baldwin for his kind permission to publish his poems on my blog.

The book “This K-9 of Mine: Poetic short stories from a dog's point of view, plus a few from the owner's vantage point, too.” is available as Kindle version here.