STILL LEARNING

"How long have you been with dogs?" I asked this old chap at the show
"Forty-odd years and more" he repied
"Then there's not much that you wouldn't know"

"I'm still learning" he said, "I'm still learning"
and it made me ponder a while
on those who know it all in three months
and I gave him a ghost of a smile

You could tell he's had none of the new-fangled
he was old-fashioned right down to the core
But I'll bet when judges gather together
His name would rank up n the fore

He would have hunted and shot over dogs
Before most of us had been born
He'd sat with his dogs in the woods
And with them had scented the dawn

He's bred, Shown, paraded and judged
He knew it all outside from in
"Bur I'm still learning, " he said, "I'm still learning"
With his quiet, unobtrusive grin.

So all we ringside Johnny-come-latelys
All we experts who own just one pup
Remember that old guy's forty years of "still learning"
AND FOR GOODNESS'S SAKE LEARN TO SHUT UP!

Author unknown

DO I GO HOME TODAY?

by Sandi Thompson.
My family brought me home cradled in their arms,
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats,
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say,
These are things I'll never forget - a cherished memory,
Because now I live in a shelter - without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe,
But I didn't know the difference between the old one's and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug,
So I thought it was the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said I was out of control, and would have to live outside,
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one: they said they hadn't time,
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain,
I barked and barked, all day long, just to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If only I'd had some classes, when I was just a pup,
Then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left" I heard the worker say,
Does that mean I have a second chance??
DO I GO HOME TODAY??

by Sandi Thompson.
THE CREATION.

He made the regal Collie so beautiful, proud and bold.
The dazzling noble sable, with coat of shimmering Gold.
His arms extended upwards, and touched the blazing sun,
There stood the Sable Collie, the lovely Golden one.

He turned his head so slightly, towards the clear Blue sky,
and made the Blue Merle Collie, so pleasing to the eye.
Tan and white were added, to his colouring of Blue,
And there he had created a dog of lovely hue.

When night at last began to fall,
He made the darkest of them all,
Combining Black, with Tan and White,
The Tri-colour, of sheer delight.

There stood those three great Collies, beneath the setting sun.
The Blue Merle, Tri-colour, and the Golden Sable one,
Gifted with movement so graceful, and so smooth,
Three truly noble Collies,
To them, our hearts we lose.
This was received from a viewer to collienet
who thought you may like to read the following poem
which was sent to her from her dog loving friend in California.

There was a time, there really was, When I was sweet and Tender
When SHOW DOG meant a Disney Star, and BITCH was not a gender.
I went to bed at half past ten, I went to Church on Sunday.
On Saturday I baked the beans, and did the wash on Monday.
But then I got a certain pup, And an erstwhile friend said, "SHOW"
And so I did, and so I do
OH !! What I didn't know.

I used to dress with flair and style, That was the life, don't knock it,
But now each dress from bed to ball, must have a good bait pocket.
I used to have a certain air, I wallowed in perfume, I used to smell of Nuit D'Amour
Now I smell like Mr. Groom.

My furniture was haut decor, My pets a tank of Guppies,
Now I've furniture unstuffed, and well- adjusted puppies.
Once I spoke in pristine prose, in dulcet tones and frail
But now I'm using language, that would turn a sailor pale.

I was taught to be well-groomed, no matter where I went.
Now all the grooming that I do, is in the handler's tent.
I used to long for clothes and jewels, and a figure classed as super,
Now the thing I yearn for most, Is a nice new Pooper-Scooper.

I adored a man who murmured verse, through intimate little dinners,
But now the words I thrill to hear are just three - "Best of Winners"

I rise at dawn and pack the car, the road ahead's a long one,
The one I routed on the maps, Invariably's the wrong one.
I really love this doggy life, I wouldn't care to change it,
But when I get that BEST IN SHOW
I plan to rearrange it.

And when my time on earth is done, I'll go without much nudging
Just give me three weeks closing date
And let me know who's judging.......
GOD CREATED

GOD CREATED the cow
God said, ”You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer.
I will give you a life span of 60 years.”
The cow said, “ That’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for 60 years.
Let me have 20 years and I’ll give you back the other 40.”
God agreed.

God created the dog.
God said, “ Sit all day at your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past.
I will give you a life span of 20 years.”
The dog said,” That’s too long to be barking.
Give me 10 years and I’ll give you back the other 10.”
God agreed again (sigh)

God created the monkey.
God said,” Entertain people, do monkey tricks for 20 years, make them laugh.
I’ll give you a life span of 20 years.”
Monkey said,” How boring, doing monkey tricks for 20 years? I don’t think so.
The dog gave you back 10 years so that’s what I’ll do! Okay?”
God agreed again.

God created man.
God said,” Eat, sleep, play, have sex, enjoy. Do nothing, just enjoy, enjoy.
I’ll give you a 20 year life span.”
Man said,” What, only 20 years? No way, man. I’ll tell you what, I’ll take my 20 years, the 40 the cow gave back, the 10 the dog gave back and the 10 the monkey gave back. That makes 80, okay?”
God said, “ You’ve got a deal!”
So, that is why…
For the first 20 years humans eat, sleep, play, have sex, enjoy and do nothing.
For the next 40 years we slave in the sun to support our family
For the next 10 years we do monkey tricks to entertain our grandchildren.
And for the last 10 years we sit in front of the house and bark at everybody.
Life has now been explained!

[Submitted to the Lynda Ward column in “Our Dogs” by C. Loughrey, Kidsgrove]