Will You Be Mine?
by Joan Steik

"Bum"
by W. Dayton Wedgefarth

He's a little dog, with a stubby tail, and a moth-eaten coat of tan,
And his legs are short, of the wabbly sort; I doubt if they ever ran;
And howls at night, while in broad daylight he sleeps like a bloomin' log,
And he likes the food of the gutter breed; he's a most irregular dog.

I call him Bum, and in total sum, he's all that his name implies,
For he's just a tramp with a highway stamp that culture cannot disguise;
And his friends, I've found, in the streets abound, be they urchins or dogs or men;
Yet he sticks to me with a fiendish glee. It is truly beyond my ken.

I talk to him when I'm lonesome-like, and I'm sure that he understands
When he looks at me so attentively and gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say nought thereat,
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that!

I cannot see you Mommy, when you cuddle me so near.
And yet I know you love me, it's in the words I hear.
I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side
But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride.

I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright
For here inside my tiny head it's always dark as night.
I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good
But I can wag my tail in Thanks just like a good dog should.

"She cannot see. The dogs no good" is what some folks might say
"She can't be trained, she'll never learn She must be put away."
But not you, Mom and Daddy You know that it's all right
Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight.

You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part
Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart.

Dog Aging
Author Unknown

My body may age but my mind will stay young.
I've much left to do, many songs to be sung.
many roads are to be travelled, much love to express,
many souls that need aid, who are now in distress.
I will do what I can to help brighten your day,
I will spread cheer and love as I pass by your way.
The world is my oyster, to have and to hold,
why, I'm really too busy to ever grow old.