My name is Chester

Hello, my name is Chester,

My family calls me Chet,

I am about to tell you,

The most amazing story yet,

Let me tell you about

My wonderful family

It consists of my mom and dad,

And a precious girl named Emily,

Some people call Emily special,

Others use a really bad name,

I just do what comes natural to a dog,

We love everyone the same

Emily is five years old now,

Her life started out a bit rough,

The family she was born into

Were going through times that were tough,

They said they didn't have what it takes,

To raise such a special girl,

So they put her up for something called adoption,

Thats when mom and dad entered her world,

My parents are really caring people,

Until we see each other again

I sure haven't felt well lately,

This body of mine is simply worn out,

I try not to let my owner know,

At nights while he sleeps I pout,

15 years is a longtime

For a dog to live or so they say,

I have had the best life,

I love my owner in every way,

We always have the best of times

But lately I have really slowed down,

I heard the vet say something about Cancer,

And for it no cure has been found,

My owner doesn't 8 himself today,

There are many tears streaming down his face

Dedication

We come in every shape and size. All with one thing alike.

We love our furry four legged friends, no matter what breed or type.

Hearts of gold are what we have for giving free homes to these pups.

While we take on more overtime, as the cost of feeding them goes up.

What is it that drives us to take them in, and let them rule our homes?

It must be those eyes, or the tilt of the head, while they feast on that new marrow bone.

Tribute to a War Dog (Chapter III)

It's been over a month now, since I lost my very best friend.

The one I failed to protect up until the end.

I miss him so much it kills me. It really crushed my heart.

He was always beside me, right from the very start.

A lot of things have happened that I just don’t understand.

I will try to explain it the best way that I can.

There was this box; in it was Mike’s smell.

And a framed picture of him, that I knew all too well.

Tribute to a War Dog (Chapter II)

Well, it's been 6 weeks now since I took one for the team.

That's what everyone is saying, I don't even know what that means.

All I know is I was doing my job, but I must have made someone mad.

Then that bullet went into my arm and made it hurt real bad.

I learned a lot about Mike that day. He was there shielding me,

from taking any more bullets, he is my handler you see.

After initial observations, the Doc said I’d never work again.

That made me so depressed, I need to protect my friend!

Tribute to a War Dog (Chapter I)

They took me from my Mom at eight weeks or so,

and brought me to this real secure place, but I really didn't want to go.

While other pups back home got to romp and play,

I was busy learning things like, Sit! Down! and Stay!

There was one guy they called my handler, I think his name is Mike.

He wore the same thing every day, on his arm was sewn five stripes.

He came and got me every morn before the sun was up.

Out of this place called the kennel, it was me and five other pups.

Reminiscing

I remember the day you brought me home. What a lucky day for me.

I had no idea how special the rest of my life would be!

You are my best friend ever. We make a perfect fit.

You taught me all I needed to know like how to stay and sit.

You put up with a lot from me, back when I was a pup,

Like accidents on the carpet and those important papers I tore up.

Life is all about lessons, as I got older I learned;

you only corrected me because you loved me and used your voice that was firm.

School Daze

It's the strangest morning ever; not really sure what's up.

Trying to figure this whole thing out. I sure am one confused pup.

Everyone went to bed early last night; the kids were all in a bad mood.

Mom is up super early fixing everyone breakfast food.

Not really sure what is happening or what might even lay in store.

I am going to stay under the table and wait for bacon to hit the floor.

The kids are all wearing new clothes and brand named shoes on their feet.

Mom just tossed me some scrambled egg for an early morning treat!

The V E T!!!

Something must be up today. Everyone is acting strange.

Mom is talking to everyone in codes. Spelling out three letter names.

Does she really not know I can spell? Maybe I should remind her again.

Every dog in the world knows V-E-T, means place that sticks you with pins!

I gotta find some place to hide. Mom’s going crazy, she's got it bad.

Following me all around the backyard, putting my poop in a clear bag!!!!

She has a folder full of papers; on it is my name.

She has the leash hooked tightly, I guess I’ll go along with her game.

‘Til We Meet Again

Please don't cry because I left you. I simply had a job to do.

I had to cross over to heaven, to get things ready for you.

If anyone in the world knows you, it would certainly be me.

Look at all those hours I spent laying at your feet.

God only puts us together for a little while and, of me, you were always so proud.

Down there is where I stole your heart away. Up here we will dance on the clouds.

I am already staying at your mansion; there are other animals here too.

All of us have one thing in common; we had the best owner ever ... YOU!

My Prom Date

Hours and hours of training I've had to do a special job.

I am what they call a service dog, excuse me while I pull this knob.

Maggie is my special friend; she is in a metal chair.

Excuse me I will be right back, she needs a brush for her hair.

See Maggie's legs don't work real well. She had an accident when she was nine.

Was hurt real bad in a swimming pool, they said she broke her spine.

That's when I came to live here, so glad they needed me.

Sounds like she's having a problem, hang on, let me go see.

Dog’s Best Friend

So sorry I need to go outside so much. The years seem to have caught up with me.

You are the most understanding owner, taking me out at 3:00 a.m. to pee.

My best years are now behind me. I don’t get around well these days.

I used to always want to stay outside, but lately inside is where I stay.

Sorry for the extra vet visits. My body is wearing out fast.

Thank you for staying by my side. How did ten years just pass?

Remember the day you brought me home? I was the apple of your eye!

You gave me the best life I could imagine. Life really does seem to fly by!

My mind is full of many great memories, like those weekends down at the lake.

I hate the thought of moving on without you, not sure how much more my body can take.

If there is one thing I want you to know as my earthly life comes to an end.

I love you more than words can say. You're not just my owner; you're my lifelong best friend!

(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.

Two Heroes

I was looking to get a new pup. So, I asked my very best friend.

He said get a German Shepherd; they are loyal til the end.

He sent me to this breeder he knew. I went over to his home.

He had a litter of brown and black pups in a large pen is where they roamed.

I didn’t know a lot about the breed, but I did see one in the park.

He always guarded the water bowl and had a real loud bark!

I asked him lots of questions, this breeder knew his stuff.

He picked up one in particular and said this guy is really tough.

50 Questions

Mr. German Shepherd there are some things I need to know and only you can tell me.

Here's question #1. Let’s go.

Why do you insist on being in my way? No matter what I do.

You lay there in the doorway, never letting me through.

Then right when I step over you, you start to stand up, of course.

Then I'm straddling you between my legs, like a jockey on a horse.

As I dismount and head to the kitchen, you must be in the lead.

You must be a NASCAR fan or have watched ‘Need for Speed’.

I finally make it to the kitchen; it must be time to eat.

Why do you never get filled up with all that food and those treats?

Always in My Way

This German Shepherd is driving me nuts.

Always in the way, and up my butt!

Even when I only move two feet away, he has to be beside me, he just won't stay!

Then he stands sideways in the hallway, I can't get by!

Probably easier to go under, his back is so high.

Then the funniest thing I've ever seen him do, happens when he's nodding off, trying to take a snooze.

The Bath

I hear a sound that's familiar. No, I don't like it at all.

Droplets of water splashing like a deep woods waterfall.

It's coming from that room down the hallway. The one dad calls his retreat.

Where that fun roll of paper hangs on the wall and there is a handle on the back of the seat.

Here comes mom with that look in her eyes. This is not going to be fun.

I have only one option left. Excuse me while I take off and ruuuuuunnn!!

The kids are trying to catch me. Mom has her track shoes on too.

This event happens every time I roll around in deer poo!

The Gift

‘Twas the night before Christmas at the SPCA,
no one was stirring or wanting to play.

We were all just sitting there biding our time;
the Bassett Hound in with me was just about blind.

I tried to help the old guy as much as I could,
hoping that Santa knew that I had been good.

The only thing I wanted for Christmas this year was a nice,
warm home with plenty of cheer.

See the owner I had somehow lost his job,
and our new landlord was kind of a snob.

He told my owner, I don't allow pets,
so I ended up here, where it's cold, dark and wet.

My first night in here was the worst you see,
all the other dogs were snarling at me.

Then they put me in here with Jake; he's my friend.
He is very old, he said he was ten!

He told me all about the man that wears black.
He takes pets outside, but they never come back.

The Best Things in Life

It’s a different kind of morning here, something must be up.

Everyone is acting very strange, can't get one over on this pup!

Dad just came up from the basement with these plastic long-handled tools,

And the kids are happy and excited, when they should be getting ready for school!

No, this is not a normal day. The TV keeps playing the same old thing,

Talking about a frontal system and the weather it will bring.

Whatever it is, they can have it. I don’t care what the weatherman said.

Can someone take me potty, so I can get back in my bed?

They're all busy watching TV. I'll try scratching at the door.

Somebody better come open this or I'm going to go here on the floor!

Finally, Mom to the rescue; she opens the door and lets me fly.

Brrrr, it’s awful cold today and somewhat cloudy outside.

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 Tree

My dad should be home from work here soon. I always meet him at the door.

He likes it when I give him high fives, puppy kisses, and more!

I just heard a car door slam. I think it could be him!

I hope he brought me a pig ear, or a pack of puppy Slim Jims.

The door is opening slowly, he yells, “Everybody outside!”

What? No pig ear or puppy treats? But a much bigger surprise.

There’s a tree tied on the roof of my daddy’s SUV.

That thing is huge, I hope it doesn’t come tumbling down on me!