Poetry

In Praise of the Canine

by David Butler
02/01/20
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Consider now, the noble hound –
He is the nicest beast around.
Discrimination he would ban.
He’s quite egalitarian.
Tall or short or old or young
He slobbers on you with his tongue.
No matter if you’re dumb or wise
ALL lawns he’ll freely fertilize.

His energy none can exhaust
His animation is not forced.
He never lacks enthusiasm
(Where a cat might have a spasm.)
A truly social extrovert,
Though some may think him rather pert.
How many lively, famous names
Would chase your ball, play silly games?

A simple task is feeding time.
His table manners are sublime!
The cat turns up his nose in scorn
The dog just gulps and then he’s gorn.
But if he’s given silver service,
Doggie gets a little nervous.
I do not recommend high tea
He’d grab the scones, smash plates and flee.

The wolf is quite environmental
(Methods, though, are none too gentle.)
Crowded herds he’ll caref’lly thin
Just so the fittest can fit in.
And what is more, he has the knack
Of good “group-think” within his pack.
(But pity those who disagree –
They’re margin’lized or forced to flee.)
But vegan wolves I’ve yet to find
Who’ll keep th’environment in mind.

Not so does the sly Renard,
For issues green he won’t regard.
So independent is the fox
He quite neglects to match his socks.
Where wolves will strive to meet their quota
He won’t care – not one iota!
He invades the chicken coop
And won’t discuss it with the group.
Totalitarian is his reign,
The poor chooks they complain in vain.
Despite all this, I’ll bet a fiver
He’ll be hailed a “good survivor.”

The working dog and Border Collie
Work so hard, some call it folly.
From the dawn ‘til setting sun
They herd their flocks – they think it’s fun!
And how are they remunerated?
Canned meat! Dog bikkies desiccated!
Sick leave? Superannuation?
Maybe annual leave vacation?
None! Dog lovers, can you handle
This slave trade? This social scandal?
Farmers rake in all the cheques.
The Canine Union rep objects!
Can this enlightened western nation
Tolerate this exploitation?
What if dogs all went on strike?
Our GDP would take a hike!

That gentle, giant, Saint Bern-ard
Is rightly held in high regard.
He carries something rather handy
‘Neath his chin: a flask of brandy.
If snow-bound, though, I would be,
I’d ask him for a cup of tea,
A home-made sausage roll, perhaps?
Those monks, they are such decent chaps!
But now we see these fast-food chains
In mountain passes, hills and plains,
With pubs now everywhere enjoyed,
Alas! Saint B’s are unemployed.

Not so genteel is the dingo.
One won’t find him playing bingo.
Pokies at the pub, he’ll do
With his bohemian point of view.
And in the bush, he’ll do his bit
(Though graziers’ herds may take a hit)
But like the wolf, he’ll save the day
By keeping feral pests at bay.
The bunny and the kangaroo
They will the dingo dog eschew,
But not, I’m told, from social snobbery,
Many claim it’s highway robbery:
They’ve contrived to, by street wisdom,
Get the dole, and rort the system.

Should we the humble pooch adore?
Or, as cats do, the beast ignore?
Disdainfully some call him “Mutt”,
Tell doggie jokes and he’s the butt,
While some bestow excessive care
And dress them in the finest wear.
(Thus “dapper dog” became the phrase
That best described the latest craze.)
But love or hate them, dogs abound
Though many end up in the pound.
A fate so tragic for such creatures.
Properly trained, they’d bear good features.

Our faithful “Man’s Best Friend” he’s named
And by his faithfulness he’s famed.
When people fail, he comfort brings,
Devotion tot’lly without strings.
In fallen nature none can find
A creature like him so designed,
And yet a shadow dim is he
Of his Creator I can see.
The “Hound of Heaven” have you met?
Our lost souls He pursues them yet.
So swift with unrelenting love
Sent by the Master, from above.

Copyright © David Butler 2020