Poems for Puppies

By Joe Smalling

These poems were meant to bring to view
Your special charms - each one of you.
So other folks might understand
How each of you became my friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798369420676

Book preview

Copyright © 2024 by Joe Smalling.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/26/2024

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

859931

Throughout my life, my dogs have been my constant companions - each one unique in his own special way. They've taught me to love and be compassionate, listen and be trusting, learn and be responsible.

They brought endless happiness to fill my days and unbearable sorrow when I lost them. But in the end, as with all beautiful souls, I believe God has a greater plan for them.

Joe Smalling

Contents

Rocky

My Boy Snuffy

The Snuffer Shimmey

Lucy Ballie

My Lost Friend

The Singer

In Praise of Puppies

Lucky

Each of You

Puppies

Every Child Should Have a Puppy

Walk With Me

There’s So Much Time

Puppies

Moments

Remembering

Miss You

I Wish I Had a Dog Like That

At the Top of the Stairs

A Boy Likes Dogs

Your Soft, Sweet Face

Thank You for the Happy Times

I Cannot Stop

Friendship

I Miss You (for Lucky)

Snuffy

Rocky

Emotions

Together

The Cloud

There Must Be Room

Friendship

Something’s Missing

Big Dawg

Regrets

I Must Go On Without You

Where is He?

Birthdays

Friends

Lucky Prayers

The Little Coat

Gentle Friend

Sleeping There

Just Like You

What’s a Guy To Do?

I Should Have Stayed

When I’m Alone

Rocky

Take Time

Little Friends

Regrets

Forebodings

Letting Go

How Could You Think

More Like Dogs

What’s In a Look

I Believe

Little Puppies

Just a Dog

Forever Lost To Me

My Buddy

Christmas Memories

You are Gone

Brothers

Pals

Good Memories

I Hated To See You Grow Old

Missing You

Rocky

I Wish I Could Remember

Gone To The Days

Good Advice

I Never Really Got To Say Goodbye

If I Could Send My Thoughts To You

The Best Life in Town

You’re a Hero To Us All

Jesus will Watch Over You

You Each Were The Best

Poems for Puppies

Mine’s Better

If This Place is Heaven

If

Messengers

Happy Birthday

Little Buddies

You Taught me Love

How I Miss You

Each of You

Dreams

Sounds

Senses

The Stray

St. Pat’s Day

Puppy Love

You Said It With Your Eyes

You’re a Hard One To Replace

Acceptance

Rest in Peace

I’ve Been Blest

Love Your Puppy

Oh, What Peace

The Hairy Beast

Remembering

Come On!

When No One Sees

How I Miss You

Little Coat

I Will Not Forget

There’s a River Between Us

In Your Eyes

So Many Thoughts About You

I Wonder How You’ll Get Along Without Me

My Little Lost Pup

Hush-Hush

Lucky

I’ll Whisper All my Fears Into His Ears

Don’t Be Afraid

Banjo

Tyson

7/24/93

My little friend is gone from me - before he reached the age of 3.

His days were spent in games and joy - he’d play for hours with one toy.

With brother close - they’d race the breeze - then chew my lilacs or my trees!

From bags or boxes he’d run amuck - but brave them all for ball or puck!

And Mommy even saved his skin when a pine chip tried to do him in.

We kept him safe thru storm and play, but God has called him home to stay.

No more I hear his bell-shaped tones, while brother Snuffy roars and moans.

A song or two would start their day, and Mommy led them in the fray.

At evening time he’d come to me and lean so gently on my knee.

I’d shake his paw - calm his fears - and rub his belly, head and ears.

A spot is empty near his tree - my little friend is gone from me.

2/2/91-6/14/93

RASCAL

1/22/03

Rocky

While searching for a long lost pup

A cocker mix I chanced to see

His head was bent with age and woe

His eyes screamed out take me - take me!

I stopped to see him soon again

Again he wagged and howled in glee

And so with better half in tow,

I added Rocky to my family.

Before I knew, he fit right in

Three dogs again with us abode

With Dusty fast, Snuffy slow,

And Rocky middle of the road!

He had his little happy side

Tho’ long in tooth and partly grey

He’d toss a bone - then watch it fall,

As if to say come on - let’s play

He never showed the pain he felt

While cancer crept throughout his form

He slept with paws around his nose

And we all kept him safe and warm.

Today I put my friend to sleep

He stands in love with God I pray

And only God will ever know

How much he’s missed since he’s away.

My Boy Snuffy

We found him in a music store 12 years ago in a box of puppies

He waddled over and wet on my shoe

My wife said, He’s yours now - we’ll call him Snuffy.

Snuf and his brother grew up in our yard

They