Monday, July 21, 2014

Ogden Nash on Aging Dogs and Men

On a Good Dog

O, my little pup ten years ago
was arrogant and spry,
Her backbone was a bended bow
for arrows in her eye.
Her step was proud, her bark was loud,
her nose was in the sky,
But she was ten years younger then,
And so, by God, was I.

Small birds on stilts along the beach
rose up with piping cry.
And as they rose beyond her reach
I thought to see her fly.
If natural law refused her wings,
that law she would defy,
for she could do unheard-of things,
and so, at times, could I.

Ten years ago she split the air
to seize what she could spy;
Tonight she bumps against a chair,
betrayed by milky eye!
She seems to pant, Time up, time up!
My little dog must die,
And lie in dust with Hector's pup;
So, presently, must I.

1 comment:

Simba said...

Terrierman- several years ago I was reading your posts on dog obesity, on how bad it is for the dog's health, and the idea that it's acceptable to throw a huge fuss if someone in the household feeds your dog when you don't want them to.

It finally hit me that yes, nagging and giving out is annoying and rude- but to avoid that they just have to stop feeding the dog! That and the dog's always going to be 'starving' after the appropriate amount is fed because this is a dog who can eat until her stomach distends.

30lbs of weight loss later I have a happy bouncy dog and I'm having to increase the food. So thank you.