MY BLACK LABRADORS
 

A tiny, black puppy, with injured paws,
The owner ignoring any humane "laws",
To step on him, was their children's game,
Would they enjoy receiving the same?
"Do you want a puppy?" they enquired of me,
I really didn't, but......I could plainly see,
That somebody must give him, a home and a name,
Cruel, senseless treatment, could make him quite lame!
He could hardly walk.....so, I carried him out,
And as I drove home, I wanted to shout!!
"Why don't parents teach children to be kind?"
Learning compassion is something you'll find,
Needs to be taught, every single day!
In all that we do.....and all that we say!
He was lucky, to find such a caring, safe home,
We fed him....and loved him....so, he would not roam,
When we all went to work and to school each day,
He wasn't very pleased! There was no one to play!
So, we found a black Lab! One just like him!
They had great times together, playing with Tim!
They enjoyed having fun and being with us,
Before this, Panther even got on the school bus!!
They had to put him off and he looked so sad,
As if he'd been punished for doing something bad!
He just didn't understand, that dogs cannot go,
To school, with the children....it just can't be so!
Slowly.....he'd climb up my very, steep hill.....
Like an old dog.......who was so, very ill!
His ears were down and his tail was dragging.....
With heavy feet.....and everything sagging.....
He didn't want his favourite treat!
Just moped, on the mat....beside my feet!
Such a young dog, acting so old!!
All because he had been too bold!
Also, because there would be no fun,
Until the children's school day was done!
So, he waited.....on the deck....and did not fuss,
Until he heard the old, school bus!!
Even before it came into sight......
He knew it was time....he was always right!
A great change in him, now took place,
Dashing down the hill, he'd quickly race!
Ears up! Tail wagging! No longer sad!!
He had forgotten, all that seemed so bad!
He greeted the children, down by the gate,
He was excited and glad, that they weren't late,
And Penny, also had strange, little habits,
Like bringing me presents (groundhogs and rabbits),
I didn't appreciate these gifts, at my door,
I was very pleased, when she didn't bring more!
They caused problems, when they wanted to play,
With all of the children, on a snowy, bright day,
As they slid down the hill, they'd steal their hats and mittens,
And Penny would give "rides" on her back, for the kittens!
I think it is sad, when all our pets grow old,
But, happy memories, we can always "hold"!
No one can take these, away from me,
I remember them all.....as I look at the tree,
Where they lie buried and it reminds me still,
Of my precious pets, that once shared this hill!
 

Pauline Banning   A2-76-Dec-96-D2
 
 

We had two black Labs, for many years, in this country place. The first
puppy came by accident, for we were in the process of building a new house
and it was in a state of "incomplete", with many headaches and much work to
be done. I was teaching, at a summer course for Teachers and travelling
back and forth, quite a distance to Toronto. This was not planned, for we
had not intended to move out, of our house on the outskirts of the city,
until the house was ready, but the purchasers of the city home, had to move
in "right away"....or at least they said they did....and we felt sorry for
them and moved to an unfinished house, that just had the bare-bones
appearance, with no facilities....no kitchen, etc. .....just stacks of
boxes....a frame with a roof....and two weeks prior to this, there was just
a foundation. It was fortunate, that it was summer, for we truly were
camping.Oh, well! I decided that I am a good pioneer and could manage to
survive under these conditions. There is always a way, if you persist!

In the middle of this situation, we adopted a puppy....a Black
Labrador....because I could not bear to see the way it was being treated,
by the very small children, in the family of a friend. The adults did not
seem to care, that the new game was "Step on the Puppy's Toes" while this
tiny creature, squealed in pain and had trouble walking, because his feet
were so sore. I watched this, one day, while stopping by, on the way home
from my job and when I heard, that they were looking for a home for this
puppy, without really thinking, I said, "I'll take it!". I am always too
impetuous!!

So, the puppy and I arrived home and of course my three children were
delighted. We had never had a dog before, since we lived in a congested
area and I did not think it fair to the animal... to be tied up all day,
while we went off to work and school. We gave this little dog tender,
loving care and in no time at all, the feet were fine. There were so many
wonderful happenings, due to his arrival. He grew and blossomed into a
handsome male and was so very fond of all of us...because we spoiled him,
of course.

After my summer teaching job, I took a year off work, as I had drawn the
plans for the house and wanted to be here to supervise the workmen....an
excellent idea, for there are many these days, who are not very
reliable...."an honest dollar for an honest day's labour", is no longer the
usual rule, although there are still good, honest people, if you by chance
can find them.

The children settled in, at the nearby school and the workmen,
dog (Panther) and I were left to our own resources. Panther was not too
happy, about the children leaving the house each day and leaving him with
me. He would prance down the hill, enjoying the trip to the bus stop, just
at the bottom and I could observe this daily ritual, from my den window. It
was such a happy sight....a moment in my busy day, to enjoy and cherish
forever. Panther's tail would be wagging and ears flopping. He looked so
spry and so full of energy.

In late fall, when cold weather arrived, he and another Lab, that we also
inherited, would have fun, pulling at the children's mittens, or stealing
their  hats and they would chase him, to get them back. BUT, before this,
once the bus came and the children left, Panther would sit there, until the
bus was out of sight, looking so lost and lonely. I felt so sorry for him
and would go out on the deck and call to him. Then, he would drag
himself, s-l-o-w-l-y up the hill....tail down....ears hanging ....no
energy...just like an old dog....feeling so sad, because the children were
gone....
and he would not see them all day, until the bus brought them home again.

 I would bring him in and give him attention and treats, to ease his
disappointment, but all day long, he would just flop there, by the window,
waiting for his keen ears, to hear the engine sound, from that school bus.
I truly thought, that he could tell the time....for about five minutes
beforethey arrived, he would suddenly jump up and race down the hill and
there was no sign of a bus yet. Are a dog's ears so sensitive, that they
can hear
a noise, while it is still miles and miles away? Penny, our other Lab,
would do the same thing.

Panther grew bolder, as time went by and one day, much to everyone's
horror, he GOT ON THE BUS and the bus driver and the children had to put
him off. Apparently, it made everyone roar with laughter...."The Dog Who
Wanted To Go To School"! It was "News" that day, in some of the classrooms.
So, the trips down the hill to the bus had to be discontinued and Panther
stayed in the house with me.....giving his farewell kisses at the
door.....and looking so sad, from the window. We had this faithful dog for
many years and I will always cherish the memories.....the good old days!!

This page hosted by

Get your own Free Home Page