Sonny and the Pooch

Can I keep him, please, dear mother?
     I found him down the road.
I've been to all the neighbors,
     And this is what I'm told.
"That's not my dog there, Sonny."
     "Haven't seen him 'roud before."
Can I keep him, please, dear mother?
     He needs a home for sure.

She looked at him with tearful eyes,
     And said, "I'm sorry, son.
We can't afford to keep him,
     He must belong to someone."
I'll get a job and feed him,
     Put an ad in lost an found.
Can I keep him, please, dear mother?
     He's such a pretty hound.

She said, "alright, it's up to you 
     To feed him every day.
You'll pick up every mess he makes,
     And teach him to obey.
If two weeks pass and no one shows,
     Then give the dog a name;
For he'll be yours then Sonny;
     And that you can proclaim."

Two weeks can seem like years, you know,
     When you have to sit and wait;
And your thinking that a stranger 
     Might pass through your front gate.
But, Sonny had to find a way
     To feed his new found friend.
Two weeks passed, he named him Pooch,
     And had some money left to spend.

Now, Sonny was responsible; 
     He took his task to heart.
Mowing lawns and trimming trees,
     Was how he got his start.
And Pooch was always there with him,
     Like any friend would be.
Together they were quite a team;
     I'm sure you would agree.

That was just the start, my friends,
     Of great things yet to come.
He soon was known throughout the town,
     As the boy that got things done.
There never was a job to hard,
     For Sonny and the hound.
And both I'm sure were thankful,
     For the friend that they had found.

The time has slipped by quickly,
     It's been fifteen years or more.
Sonny's now the owner 
     Of, "The Friendly Hardware Store."
And Pooch will lay for hours,
     On the porch where there is shade.
But, now he only wags his tail,
     To greet the friends that he has made.

Sonny knows it won't be long;
    His Pooch is getting old and gray.
He chisels nightly on a stone,
     Words that he hopes will convey;
The gratitude he long has felt;
     A loving tribute must be paid.
The stone now finished, here it stands,
     Above the ground where Pooch is laid.

"Here lays Pooch, a fine companion.
     He surely was a caring friend.
He furnished love and happiness.
     The memories will never end.
His gifts will long be cherished.
     But the best he brought to me,
Was the need to feed a hungry dog,
     And to learn responsibility."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Bangalee Avatar
May 12, 2019 at 4:26 AM
it's great expressive
Nehls Avatar
May 12, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Thanks a lot. Glad you liked it.....Robert
Curtis Avatar
July 13, 2014 at 5:59 PM
A Great Piece, worthy of publication.
Nehls Avatar
August 4, 2014 at 1:56 PM
Took a while to get to this one, Jerry. Thanks for reading and for your wonderful comment..... Robert.
Clark Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 3:27 AM
Warm ... from the heart ... and elegantly stated. Wonderful write, Robert. Jack C
Nehls Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 3:38 AM
Thanks, Jack. I thought you might like it. Thanks for reading it, My friend.... Robert.
Gibson Avatar
July 9, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Very good, Robert. Hope you enter it in the Children's Fable contest.
Nehls Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 3:36 AM
Hi, Faye. Glad you liked this one. I'm not really much of a contest guy so I probably won't be entering many contest. But, I do appreciate the suggestion, my friend... Robert....
Lamoureux Avatar
July 8, 2014 at 8:43 AM
You had me at the title. Simply wonderful, touching, entertaining, heart warming and heartbreaking. One of the best I have read today. Bravo!
Nehls Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 3:23 AM
Thanks so much, Richard, for the wonderful comments. I'm happy you liked this one. There is much a boy can learn from a fine companion. Your comments are always welcome, my friend.... Robert.
Davis Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 2:10 PM
Robert Such a wonderfully written tale that warms the heart and tells a story of friendship and love. Thank you for the sweet comment on my What Your Face Can Do poem.
Nehls Avatar
July 7, 2014 at 12:24 PM
Glad you liked this one, Robin. I love it when these type of poems come to me, it makes me feel good. I appreciate your comments, my friend..... Robert.
Dietrich Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 9:03 AM
wow, is this for the fable contest I heard about? What a very nicely written tale in rhyme!! a Wonderful lesson to be learned in it and a heartfelt write.
Nehls Avatar
July 7, 2014 at 12:22 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea. Your comments are always welcome, my friend. I hadn't heard about the contest. Thanks for mentioning it.... Robert.
Andresen Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 5:16 AM
- A heartbreaking story - friendship - love and responsibility - Truly a story that is a pleasure to read. - Proficient dear friend, Robert !!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Nehls Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 7:21 AM
I'm so happy you enjoyed this one, Anne-Lise. Dogs are such fine companions and many times the best friend a child will have. I enjoy and look forward to your comments.... Robert.
Kendrick Avatar
July 5, 2014 at 5:57 PM
A pet should do just that teach friendship and responsibility but sometimes it doesn't but it is good that you learned and lived to tell us the story in poetic form..Thanks for the visit to my page.Sara
Nehls Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 7:16 AM
I really enjoy writing these story poems, I guess because I love reading them also. There is some truth to this one, but I never owned a hardware store. Thank so much for visiting and as always, your comments are cherished.... Robert.
Smith Avatar
July 4, 2014 at 7:08 AM
This great Robert...You should make this into a children's book....maybe level 4
Nehls Avatar
July 4, 2014 at 5:39 PM
A children's book might be a good idea, Tim. I'll think about it. Thanks, my friend.... Robert.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace