Here is a friend who proves his worth Without conceit or pride of birth. Let want or plenty play the host, He gets the least and gives the most-- He's just a dog.
He's ever faithful, kind and true; He never questions what I do, And whether I may go or stay, He's always ready to obey 'Cause he's a dog.
Such meager fare his want supplies! A hand caress, and from his eyes There beams more love than mortals know; Meanwhile he wags his tail to show That he's my dog.
He watches me all through the day, And nothing coaxes him away; And through the night-long slumber deep He guards the home wherein I sleep-- And he's a dog.
I wonder if I'd be content To follow where my master went, And where he rode--as needs he must-- Would I run after in his dust Like other dogs.
How strange if things were quite reversed-- The man debased, the dog put first. I often wonder how 'twould be Were he the master 'stead of me-- And I the dog.
A world of deep devotion lies Behind the windows of his eyes; Yet love is only half his charm-- He'd die to shield my life from harm. Yet he's a dog.
If dogs were fashioned out of men What breed of dog would I have been? And would I e'er deserve caress, Or be extolled for faithfulness Like my dog here?
As mortals go, how few possess Of courage, trust, and faithfulness Enough from which to undertake, Without some borrowed traits, to make A decent dog!
One evening Jesus lingered in the marketplace, Teaching the people parables of truth and grace, When in the square remote a crowd was seen to rise, And stop with loathing gestures and abhorring cries. The Master and his meek disciples went to see What cause for this commotion and disgust could be, And found a poor dead dog beside the gutter laid-- Revolting sight! at which each face its hate betrayed.
One held his nose, one shut his eyes, one turned away, And all among themselves began to say: "Detested creature! he pollutes the earth and air!" "His eyes are blear!" "His ears are foul!" "His ribs are bare!" "In his torn hide there's not a decent shoestring left, No doubt the execrable cur was hung for theft." Then Jesus spake, and dropped on him the saving wreath: "Even pearls are dark before the whiteness of his teeth."