Good Boy for the Ages

Back in the veiled darkness of time

The dog, beaten by the ways of the world

And the savage fight for place

In the evolutionary tree

Crept up to man’s fire

Looking for shelter, warmth, and food

The dog gave up his wild crown

Descended from his apex position

To wait at the feet of men

Curled up, good boy

Bravely trying to earn his keep

Guarding the home with vicious bark

By hunting, by tracking, by herding

Anything to keep his home

And stay out of the dog-eat -dogness of it all.

But unknown to the good boy

All his efforts mean very little to man

For man’s real reason for keeping the dog around

And not sending him the way of the horse or the cow

For the dog serves best

When man is beaten, tired, worn down by his fellow man

As a place to project loyalty, unconditional love,

Faithfulness, obedience, and unlimited joy

All the qualities man

Cannot find in other men.