Pet Peeve
I’ve never had a dog
Mother says that it would mess
On her oriental carpet
And it probably would I guess
She says Mrs. Sneedly has one
And after bridge when Mom leaves there
Her best wool slacks are covered
With their Taffy’s long blond hair,
So, I’ve never had a dog
Sometimes I think she’ll change her mind
‘Cause I’ve gotten real good grades in school
And I’m polite and kind
But Mother always has a reason
Why a dog would not be wise
“Goodness knows, they’d keep us up at night
With all their barks and cries.”
She mentions Miss McCurdy
Once her dog came down with fleas
And Miss McCurdy’s legs had bites and welts
Clear up to her knees
“So please,” my mother tells me
“Don’t come asking anymore
“Cause a dog would chew the windowsills
And diddle on the floor.”
There’s no use asking Dad for help
He’d just make matters worse
He’s allergic to dog dander
And I’ve even heard him curse
Mr. Floyd, our next door neighbor
Who allows his dog to roam
Having found his mess a few times
My dad’s mouth began to foam,
“There’s an ordinance in this city
Dogs cannot be running loose!”
Things got rather heated
But they finally called a truce
Still I have to say I’ve realized
Mom and Dad will never say
“We’ve a penchant for a poodle.”
Nor, “We long for a shar-pei.”
But in truth I’ve grown accustomed
To my life without a pet
Still I bet that when I’m grown up
It’s the first thing that I’ll get.
By: Julie N. Schuh
