YOU'LL BE A DOG, MY PUP!

Adapted from the poem “IF” by Rudyard Kipling, 1865 - 1936

YOU’LL BE A DOG, MY PUP!

If you can find a household that is a happy home
And adopt its styles and ways,
And honour all its human hands
So that you will be there for many days,

If you can find the Master of that home
And sniff out exactly what He needs,
And learn His cues and all His tasks
To purposefully carry out His deeds,

If you can “Fetch!” on His command,
And “Down!”...and “Stay!”...and “Wait!”
Or jump through hoops on His demand
Or bark at strangers at the gate,

If you can tune your ears to sounds
Which maybe have no place,
And puckle your nose to stay alert,
Or wag your tail to start the race,

If you can sniff the air for a change of scene
Or read the news on a trunk of a tree,
And guard your bones, but share your treats
And celebrate when you are free,

If you can growl or huff and call His bluff
And ask to soon be fed,
Or lie at His feet when the day is done
And know that it’s time for bed,

If you can bare a bath – to clean your fur –
To make you spruce and bright,
To accompany Him with a heart assured
To show off His delight,

If you can do all this without a slouch
And know your Master’s thumb is up,
Yours is the Earth and everything in it
And – what’s more – YOU’LL BE A DOG, MY PUP!

Caryl Moll (July 2009)