A Great Dog Haiku by Dan Anderson:

Today I sniffed
Many dog behinds -- I celebrate
By kissing your face.

thank you, Dan

© 1998-2001 Dan Anderson. All rights reserved. http://dan.drydog.com/patsyann/doghaiku.html

Momma, Can We Keep Him?

words and music by A. Triebenbach and J. Zents, ©2007

Cm

In the heart of every kid,

F F7

The same pulse is beatin’,

Dm

When they find a stray dog they say,

G Gaug Cm

“Momma, can we keep him?”

As kids we felt the same when we saw that little mutt

That we found in the alley but our Momma was so tough

The dream we shared of owning this canine

Was killed in a moment of Momma time.

Our joyful sighs at the site of the puppy

were crushed in an instant though he

Was cute and fluffy.

Momma was firm as we hung our heads

The message was clear, we’d lost our bets

Her forehead was creased with a wrinkly frown,

Saying “Listen to me now,

No Dogs In Town.”

“Big or small, all dogs are dirty. He won’t watch what he’s doin’,

He’ll try to hump aunt Gerty.

He won’t mind his nose, he’ll stick it anywhere.

He’s not cheap to raise ya know -

He needs lots of care.”

“He’s got to be walked and there’s veternary bills

Who’ll trim his nails?

Who’ll buy him heartworm pills.

I don’t need more kids to hear whine and complain;

He’ll shed on our stuff and our carpets he’ll stain.

His habits are gross on that subject let me dwell;

He’ll throw up then he’ll eat it

Then he’ll lick himself

Momma, oh momma

Momma, can we keep him?

We rolled our eyes at her dogmatic decree.

We wanted to keep him, how come she couldn’t see?

We’d love him and brush him, we’ll take him to the park

We’ll make him so happy he’ll never want to bark.

We continued to beg and peading on our hands and knees.

Momma asked us,

“Did I mention the fleas?”

Momma pointed at the door, while the dog was scratchin’ his ear.

“Go find him a home cause he ain’t livin’ here.”

So we kids marched down to the library

The Librarian was nice, she said

There’s someone you should see.”

We went to an apartment and knocked on the hollow door.

An old man was waiting with a dish on the floor -

The dog ran straight to it

His body was starvin.’

The old man said I’ll take him

I’ll name him Marvin.

Momma, oh momma

Momma, Momma,

Can we keep him?

I felt really sad but my brother said don’t worry.

He looks kinda happy and, there’s no reason to be sorry.

Now Marvin’s got a home.

We didn’t take him to the cooler (heh heh)

Marvin’s found a friend.

Now he can be neutered!

Momma, Oh Momma,

Momma, Momma, Can we keep him?

We all took turns at givin’ Marvin a pat.

He wagged his little tail as he climbed on my lap.

I said “I’ll see you around” and I gave him a hug.

I kissed his furry head;

I wished him luck.

Momma, Oh Momma,

Momma, can we keep him?