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These are the things i love
My parents and my children, dear
A foaming glass of well chilled beer
A lovely sparkling Christmas tree
And thee
A steak and kidney pie
A rosy sunset in the sky
The first night on a ship at sea
And thee
1955
A Prayer for Pat
[Pat was the Dobson family fox terrier] 1957
Dear God, if, in the realm of Paradise
Thou doth accept both virtue and vice
And in thy goodness, love what's good
And beautify the misunderstood,
Then, surely there's room for one small dog.
Bright brown eyes and stand up ears
A stub of a tail [He belied his years!]
Frisky and barking, and loving us all
Eating and sleeping and chasing a ball
Please make room for one small dog!
He saw us leave and become quite grown
And return with children of our own
For fifteen years he was always there
As natural to us as sunshine and air
Haven't you room for one small dog?
As the runt of the litter and not coveted
He was adopted by us to be loved and petted
And his good little heart paid back each day
With all the love he gave away
Oh! You must have room for one small dog!
But fifteen years is such a long time
And it finally made weary that dog of mine
And he was buried beside the garden wall
And is waiting, God, for you to call
Please find a place for one small dog!
Oh, God, someplace in Paradise
You must need a dog to chase the mice
You must need a dog who will bark at strangers
And chase imaginary dangers
A pal t0 snooze by your side through the years
And lick your hand when you scratch his ears
Please, God, make room for one small friend.
1955