Dogs | wordsfromanneli

October 14, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 40 Comments

A Lady of Leisure

My sister-in-law’s dog, a Coton de Tulear, would like to introduce herself to you.

Hi! My mom calls me Eleanor Rigby when she wants me to pay attention to her, but usually I’m just plain – well, not so plain, really – Ellie.

It’s been a trying day today,

No postman going by,

No other dogs came by to play,

And I will tell you why.

Today has been a holiday,

The businesses closed,

Most folks won’t go to work today,

And so for you I’ve posed.

I’m lying here on my day off,

Don’t need to do my job,

Of barking at each passing toff,

Or anyone who’d rob.

I take it easy on my couch,

That has my doggie throw,

My mistress surely is no slouch,

“A pillow? There you go!”

Oh, what a life this is for me,

There’s nothing that I lack,

I close my eyes and nap ’til three,

And then I’ll have a snack.

August 9, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 31 Comments

The Apple Thief

The MacIntosh is “Oh my gosh,”

The loveliest of fruit,

If Adam ponders at its wonders,

Who can blame the brute?

I don’t see trouble in the rubble,

Just a pail of yum,

The sneaky nibbles taste like kibbles,

Hope no one will come.

You shouldn’t cheat, you shouldn’t eat,

Those apples that are picked.

But never fear, I’ll stay right here,

And then I won’t get nicked.

I just don’t care, I’m on a dare,

These apples are so good,

And anyhow, it’s too late now,

To stop me if you could.

So juicy sweet is apple meat,

It runs right down my throat,

Why don’t you grab a little dab?

And don’t just stand remote.

Come on and join, and let’s purloin,

Another tasty treat,

We’ll get right down onto the ground,

The flavour can’t be beat.

I’m in the mood to not be rude,

And spoil the missus’ work,

You go ahead, but filled with dread,

You’ll see you’ve been a twerk.

You make me feel like such a heel,

I thought you’d have some too.

I feel so bad, now don’t be mad,

My actions I do rue.

I hope you’ve learned, a page you’ve turned,

Those Macs were not for you,

Your ear is floppy, tongue is soppy,

Learn from what you do.

July 28, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 42 Comments

Lightning, Thunder, and Rain … at Last!

I know it’s been dry and you want it to rain,

But I saw a flash in the sky,

You tell me it’s safe and it won’t cause me pain,

But take me inside where it’s dry.

I heard a loud boom and a rumbling growl,

It sounds pretty scary to me,

I’m trying my best not to let loose and howl,

To be what you want me to be.

What flashes of light and that fierce rumbling boom,

My courage is fading so fast,

Let’s sit on the couch, just move over, make room,

We’ll snuggle until it is past.

April 8, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 34 Comments

Emma’s Sea Monster

By the side of the beautiful Similkameen River,

A cooling off place needed to be explored.

The water was perfect.

Well … almost perfect …

Except for that sea monster sticking its head up,

Checking me out.

I decided to put on a brave face,

And challenge it.

Maybe it would go away and leave my swimming area.

And yet … it wasn’t to be easily intimidated.

I kept my back legs ready for a quick retreat,

Just in case.

I called big sister, Ruby, over to check it out.

I felt a bit foolish when she had a quick look,

Turned, and said, “Nah! It’s just a stick.”

“Huh!” I said. “I knew that.”

But now I have egg on my face.

Or maybe a piece of a pine needle.

Oh, well. It’s better than being eaten,

By a sea monster!

February 22, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 50 Comments

Fierce Competition

Same old kiblets from the bag,

No enhancements added,

But the squirrel is such a nag,

Trying hard to grab it.

If I’m picky I’ll lose out,

“Get your own, you sneak,

Lucky I don’t bite your snout,

Then we’d hear you squeak.”

January 22, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 35 Comments

No Crowds for Me

Just when we got settled, away from the gun,

Along comes this dog, for an innocent run.

“He can’t catch us all,” says an old duck so wise,

“But what if it’s me and it means my demise?”

“Most likely it won’t be, so fear not,” I say,

“Fly up in the air if you’re chicken, and pray.

I plan to stay calm and not show him my fear.”

“In that case I’ll be brave beside you, my dear.”

But flying en masse is not what I prefer,

Wherever I turn, someone tries to deter

My flight path to safety, to freedom, and air.

I’m blocked by the crowds madly flapping up there.

Ah, this is more like it, with just a few friends,

We pick and we scrounge for a few odds and ends,

We don’t crash together in each other’s space,

A wonderful, so much more leisurely pace.

***** If you have spare time on your hands, why not visit my other blog, annelisplace.wordpress.com/

December 1, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 57 Comments

First of December, First Snow

Evening darkens, snow clouds loom,

Heavy grayness hovers,

Every creature, filled with gloom,

Looks for extra covers.

Snowflakes drifting in the breeze,

Flutter to the ground,

Blanketing the dens with ease,

Whiteness all around.

Morning sunlight filters through,

Birds emerge from shrubs,

Now they wonder what to do,

Where are all the grubs?

“Where’s my breakfast?” they all cry,

“How will I stay warm?”

Shivering with cold, they sigh,

This is not the norm.

Robins tweet their invitations,

Gathering for flight,

Needing lower elevations,

Snow-free woods in sight.

Holly berries, mountain ash,

Worms and bugs to eat,

Having fled the winter’s lash,

Birds escape defeat.

Though it’s pretty, snow reminds,

How cold it will be,

Warm vacation, I must find,

Lovely sun and sea.

Meanwhile Emma snuggles in,

Fuzzy blanket warm,

Softly curled up to her chin,

“Now bring on the storm.”

September 26, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 54 Comments

An Omen of Change

It helicoptered from the tree,

This golden flaky leaf,

It’s happening, and I can see,

The maple is in grief.

The summer days are sadly gone,

Those romping times were fun,

But autumn’s here, we must move on

From lazing in the sun.

Without the maple’s leafy dress,

Her long arms will be bare,

No hiding places for the squirrels

Who used to scamper there.

It’s sad to see the warm days go,

And we’ll be soused with rain,

The leaves will swirl, the wind will blow,

As autumn comes again.

But as the summer weather sours,

Rambunctious days retire,

I’ll find a way to pass the hours,

Chew slippers by the fire.

August 29, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 44 Comments

Whoever Said Life Was Fair?

Look closely and what do you see hanging out of Emma’s mouth?

She had just been over to a stack of landscaping ties that she had been visiting constantly over the last few weeks, and I saw her lunge at something.

She got what she lunged for, but then stood there not knowing if she should swallow or spit.

Whoever said that life was fair?

Didn’t I catch that mouse?

Good clean catch was fair and square.

Snatched her by her house.

Meanwhile Maisie Mouse was cast into darkness. I couldn’t see what she was doing in there, but I feared the worst.

Oh my goodness! It’s so dark,

Wet and warm with slime,

That black dog is like a shark,

Got me good this time.

But Emma is so obedient. She knows that when I say, “Thank you,” she should give up what’s in her mouth.

After many, pleading “thank yous” Maisie was dropped onto the grass. I had to then protect her from another onslaught of Emma-attacks. Maisie ran up onto my shoes and then onto the cuff of my sweat pants. Luckily they are elasticized and she had no access to my bare leg (or anywhere else). I took a tissue from my jacket pocket and picked her up – not an easy task with her skittering here and there. But as soon as I got hold of her, the ungrateful girl sank her chompers into my finger.

Did I let go? You’d better believe it. I had to quickly distract Emma while Maisie made her way through the grass to the edge of the trees and disappeared.