Floppy Ears

(Written several years ago, but posted today in honor of Bessie Mae, 17 years old; 1998-2015)

A floppy-eared basset hound

Turned my life upside down.

Her mournful glance and howling bay

Thrills my heart every day.

Big fat paws and stubbly legs,

A cold wet nose and eyes that beg,

Ears that drag across the floor –

I never loved a creature more!

At night she snuggles in my bed

And makes a pillow for my head,

But when the night turns into dawn

She’s up and stretching with a yawn.

Her wagging tail says, “Let’s go!

Got squirrels to chase . . .you’re moving slow!”

Then off she waddles, nose to ground,

Every bit the hunter hound.

Now you might wonder why on earth

I’d let a dog have so much worth.

But love for my dear basset hound

Seems to have no earthly bound.

I can’t have children of my own,

The doctors say, “Cause: unknown.”

But that floppy-eared, cold-nosed pup

Fills that heart void right on up.

One day she’ll cross that Rainbow Bridge

Where bassets go beyond the ridge,

But as for now my love abounds

For this floppy-eared basset hound.

Happy Birthday (48)!

With birthday number forty-eight

I’m here to set the record straight:

The greatest gift that can be found

Is family and friends all round.

I’ll take the gifts; I’ll take the cake;

I’ll take a trip down to the lake,

But what I will remember best

Is time to love and time to rest.

I slept in late and ate my fill,

I had some time to just sit still.

I heard the happy birthday song

And stayed with Mom all day long.

I’ll walk the dog and talk to Rick,

The dinner menu is my pick,

And when I go to sleep tonight
I will have spent my day just right.