THE JOY OF A DOG

Ma says no, it's too much care

An’ it will scatter germs an’ hair,

An’ it's a nuisance through and through.

An’ barks when you do n't want it to;

An’ carries dirt from off the street,

An’ tracks the carpets with its feet.

But it's a sign he's growin’ up

When he is longin’ for a pup.

Most every night he comes to me

An’ climbs a-straddle of my knee

An’ starts to fondle me an’ pet,

Then asks me if I've found one yet.

An’ ma says: “Now do n't tell him yes;

You know they make an awful mess.”

An’ starts their faults to catalogue.

But every boy should have a dog.

An’ some night when he comes to me,

Deep in my pocket there will be

The pup he's hungry to possess

Or else I sadly miss my guess.

For I remember all the joy

A dog meant to a little boy

Who loved it in the long ago,

The joy that's now his right to know.