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More Poetry

Why own a dog?
There's a danger you know,
You can't own just one,
For the craving will grow.

There's no doubt they're addictive,
Wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots
You'll grow poorer and stranger.
One dog is no trouble,
And two are so funny.
The third one is easy,
The fourth one's a honey.
The fifth one delightful,
The sixth one's a breeze.

You find you can live with a houseful with ease.
So how 'bout another?
Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy
But oh, Lord the hair!

With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen,
it's no bother you've said.
They're really no trouble,
Their manners are great.
What's just one more dog
And just one more crate?
The sofa is hairy,
The windows are crusty,

The floor is all footprints,
The furniture dusty.
The housekeeping suffers,
But what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints
And a little more hair?

So let's keep a puppy,
You can always find room,
And a little more time
For the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit
To the dogs you can add,
The thought of a cutback
Sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special,
So useful, so funny.

The vet, the food bill grows larger,
You owe money.
Our folks never visit,
Few friends come to stay,
Except other dog folks,
Who all live the same way.

Your lawn has now died,
And your shrubs are dead too,
But your weekends are busy,
You're off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins,
Training and shots.
And entries and travel
And motels which cost lots.

Is it worth it, you wonder?
Are you caught in a trap?
Then your favorite dog comes
And climbs in your lap.
His look says you're special
And you know that you will
Keep all of the critters
In spite of the bill.
Some just for showing
and some just to breed.
And some just for loving,
they all fill a need.

But winter's a hassle,
The dogs hate it too.
But they must have their walks
though they're numb and you're blue.
Late evening is awful,
you scream and you shout
At the dogs on the sofa
Who refuse to go out.

The dogs and the dog shows,
The travel, the thrills;
The work and the worry,
The pressure, the bills.
The whole thing seems worth it,
The dogs are your life.
They're charming and funny
And offset the strife.

Your lifestyle has changed.
Things won't be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive
And so is the dog game!

When I had one, I had so much fun...

Before long there were seven, and now I'm in heaven.

So now I have ten, I feel clever as clever,
Will I stop here... probably never.

© Ellen Rocco & John Leslie

He was not winning at their game as he did before,
So he now found himself wanted no more.
His rescue did come just in time before his last breath,
For any longer would have meant his death.

Adopted he was by a woman in need,
She surely felt she had done a good deed.
He has been given love, and tenderness when he was ready,
His progress has been slow but steady.

This woman decided he needed some fun,
He needed to feel accomplishment as he did run
So off to Agility this woman did go,
With her Greyhound in tow.

 fearful, shy but loving dog was he,
And an amazing Agility instructor was to be.
With gentle hands, understanding words, and goodies in her fist,
His fears soon replaced with trust and happiness.

For over the jumps he did go,
The tunnel took some time though.
The dog walk was major, but he did just fine,
What a joy to see him run the course in his own time.

Agility has changed this dog's sad life,
And made it full of reward, confidence - free of strife.
He now has confidence in all his life's structure,
This is due to Agility and an amazing instructor.

People remark at the change not only in his ability,
But he is outgoing, friendly and LOVES Agility.
This is a Greyhound who raced for his life - and Won!

Not Cody, but Sammy Stacy with his handler Mike.
Sammy has been invited to go to Crufts 2002 to demonstrate Greyhound agility.