Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Poem: Workin' Dog


Feathers, intent on a squirrel, because the cows, cats and swallows were not available. 



Workin' Dog

Sticks she won't fetch, won't even blink.
Gives you that stare that only a 
workin' dog can.

Them balls better have a big ol
bull on the end of 'em or
she won't even twitch an ear.

A cattle dog can be, at times,
worth her weight in gold.
A true workin' dog.

They say a Border Collie can learn
over ten thousand words,
all I know for sure is she is picky.

"Walk em up" those play jus fine.
"Gettim to the gate" does well too.
Fetch, or play - a blank look. No way!

She knows the words alright, from
dirty dog to no poop to get'em
even when they are out of sight.

She's focussed, maybe a little too.
If it ain't cows she's chasing a few
barn swallows or cat's will do.

She's a lovely gal, all red and white,
with flavorful splashes of green manure
to 'scent' up your room at night.

My Feather gal is pretty bright,
but like a laser beam she's tight
to the point with no vary in sight.

There's dogs more loyal, true,
There's even some smarter 
(altho' I'm not saying who)

There's dogs who can do tricks
an some who can do math and such
but no one can run em down like her.

No other tail flying, tongue lolling,
narrowed down at the eyes intent
can match my gal a working.

Sleeping by the door she's rank,
that's horse and calf poop today
like a perfumer she blends the scent

An my poor nose suffers but my
feet are getting soft and my walks short
cause she's like a remote control dog.

You can stand on the deck, jus'
point and shout, she knows what to do
an you can sit back really easy.

She has a look she gives, an it ain't nice,
but it says, so loud and clear, in your face,
"what are you stupid? I don't play...

"I'm a workin' dog an I got no time for this
puppy frolickin and such. Give me a tailed end
and one with horns and we'll getti'm good!'

(Dedicated to my best cattle dog who came from rescue and my worst poop roller Feathers)

Copyright 2011 Shanyn Silinski 

14 comments:

Debbie Dillon said...

We are such a family of dog lovers, and this one is perfect! LOVE how you put Feathers to words. My horse, Wendy, was a herding horse, so I can appreciate a hard working dog! Thanks so much for this :)

Mystic_Mom said...

Debbie - thank you so much for the lovely comment and for stopping by! I have a cattle horse and he is pretty good too! :-) Great to know another animal lover!

Jingle Poetry At Olive Garden said...

dogs are best pets...

cute piece.

Mystic_Mom said...

Thanks Gooseberry! :-) Glad you stopped by...

Kerry O'Connor said...

What a lovely dedication to a dedicated dog.

Mel said...

Love it! i have a workin' dog too but he's never had to work other than to herd kids. But he's a good dog and he's smart! His first encounter with a bull was last week. They came nose to nose at the new property and neither really knew what to think of the other :) What a lovely tribute to your poop roller :)

Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

Jenne' R. Andrews said...

As I have said, what fun. Makes me really miss our blue heeler Gunsmoke aka Gus-- he was a total character-- ran away once and for two weeks lived on prairie dogs and lake water. xxxj

Mystic_Mom said...

Kerry - thanks so much. Great to have you stop by!

Mel - so good to see you here again. That's funny about your workin' dog! :-) Thanks for sharing that, made me laugh!

Jenne - Gus sounds like a real character. Thanks for sharing about him, and for stopping by and leaving some love.

Anonymous said...

I used to have a blue heeler. Awesome dog. Workin dogs do make great pets, too.

My entry:http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/blood-on-the-moon-2/

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

sweet tribe to a lovely dog.
wow.

Mystic_Mom said...

Charles - you are so right, workin' dogs are great pets. Just not always the playin' kind of pet! Thanks for stopping by, I'm on my way over to your link.

Cello Strings - thank you for coming by and sharing some love!

Ann LeFlore said...

I love your poem about dogs and I have 2 myself one with only 3 legs.
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/04/haggle-baggily/

Mystic_Mom said...

Ann - thanks for stopping by. I'd love to hear about your dogs! :-) I'm on my way to your blog.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I LOVE this so much! Have you read Jon Katz' books about his farm and sheep herding border collies? Your poem makes me think of them, you'd love them.

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me some of your words...bright blessings!