THE DOG CONFESSES

I am a lucky dog, I know, and all my friends agree

The people that I live with now are good as gold to me

Because three times I saved a life — and that is why they give

Me everything a dog could want — and will, while I shall live.

But I've a conscience, and I must

Confess the truth — or else I'll bust!

One day the cart that Bobbie drives ran up on pony's heels,

And off he bolted! I went, too, and mixed up with the wheels,

Until the cart came to a stop, and Bobbie-boy was saved —

Then folks wept o'er the noble way that I, a dog, behaved.

( The truth is, I got in that mix

Avoiding pony's vicious kicks! )

Another time, when Bobbie went to play out on the dock

He fell into the water there, ( he'd stumbled on a block );

I sprang in after him, of course, and dragged him back to land —

Then everybody said the way I acted was “just grand.”

( The rat that I was chasing when

I plunged, I never saw again! )

You see this stubby tail of mine? I got that when a car

Came near to crushing Bobbie-boy — it gave us all a jar;

I knocked him off the track in time, but one wheel caught my tail

And cut it short; it hurt, of course, and I let out a wail —

( The cur that I had hoped to fight

Across the street, was out of sight! )

So, though I have n't meant to be a noble brute at all,

I have to take the praise they give, and hear them patiently;

But there is comfort in this thought — although it may seem small —

There are some human heroes who are “posing” — just like me!