The dog's book of verse — Themes and Context

And was it fast To a tin pail? Little pup, Git up.

Say! little pup, Talk up. Were those bad boys All after you, With sticks and stones, And tin cans, too? Little pup, Speak up!

Say! little pup, Stand up! Let's look at you; You'd be all right If you was scrubbed And shined up bright. Little pup, Jump up!

Say! little pup, Bark up! Let's hear your voice. Say, you're a brick! Now try to beg And do a trick. Little pup, Sit up!

Say! little pup, Chime up! Why, you can sing-- Now come with me; Let's wash and eat And then we'll see, Little pup, What's up!

She sat on the sliding cushion, The dear, wee woman of four; Her feet, in their shiny slippers, Hung dangling over the floor. She meant to be good; she had promised, And so with her big, brown eyes, She stared at the meetinghouse windows And counted the crawling flies.

She looked far up at the preacher, But she thought of the honeybees Droning away at the blossoms That whitened the cherry trees. She thought of a broken basket, Where curled in a dusky heap, Four sleek, round puppies, with fringy ears. Lay snuggled and fast asleep.

Such soft, warm bodies to cuddle, Such queer little hearts to beat, Such swift round tongues to kiss, Such sprawling, cushiony feet; She could feel in her clasping fingers The touch of the satiny skin, And a cold, wet nose exploring The dimples under her chin.

Then a sudden ripple of laughter Ran over the parted lips So quick that she could not catch it With her rosy finger-tips. The people whispered "Bless the child," As each one waked from a nap, But the dear, wee woman hid her face For shame in her mother's lap.

They got a bran' new baby At Bud Hicks' house, you see. You'd think Bud Hicks had somethin' The way he talks to me! He comes around a-braggin', An' when he wouldn't quit I said: "What good's a baby? You can't hunt fleas on it."

Then Bud turned to me an' told me How loud that kid could yell, An' lots I can't remember, He had so much to tell. But I got tired o' hearin' An' so I ast him, quick, "If you wuz in a-swimmin' Could it go get a stick?"

There is no use a-talkin', Bud thinks their baby's fine! Huh! I'd a whole lot rather Jest have a pup like mine. I'll bet it's not bald-headed! But if Bud doesn't fail To let me hear it yellin', I'll let him pull Spot's tail.

Funniest little feller You'd ever want to see! Browner 'an the brownest leaf In the autumn tree. Shortest little bow legs! Jes' barely touch the floor-- And long--b'gosh, the longest dog I ever seen afore!

But he's mighty amusin', For all 'at he's so queer, Eyes so mighty solemn, Askin' like an' clear, And when he puts his paws up, Head stuck on one side-- Jes' naturally love every hair In his durn Dutch hide.

True and trustful, never doubting, Is my young and handsome friend; Always jolly, Full of fun, Bright eyes gleaming Like the sun-- Never see him blue or pouting From the day's break to its end.

Whether I am "flush" or "busted" Makes no difference to him! "Let's be gay, sir"-- He would say, sir-- "Won't have any Other way, sir!" Oh, he's never cross and crusted-- Light of heart and full of vim!

Often we go out together For a ramble far and wide-- Catch the breezes Fresh and strong Down the mountain Swept along-- For we never mind the weather When we two are side by side.

But my friend is sometimes quiet, And I've caught his clear brown eye Gazing at me, Mute, appealing-- Telling something, Yet concealing, Yes, he'd like to talk! Well, try it-- "Bow, wow, wow," and that's his cry!

I have a little brindle dog, Seal-brown from tail to head. His name I guess is Theodore, But I just call him Ted.

He's only eight months old to-day I guess he's just a pup; Pa says he won't be larger When he is all grown up.

He plays around about the house, As good as he can be, He don't seem like a little dog, He's just like folks to me.

And when it is my bed-time, Ma opens up the bed; Then I nestle down real cozy And just make room for Ted

And oh, how nice we cuddle! He doesn't fuss or bite, Just nestles closely up to me And lays there still all night.

We love each other dearly, My little Ted and me. We're just good chums together, And always hope to be.