SUGARPLUM DREAMS

Visions of Sugarplum danced in our heads
as we both snuggled down to sleep in our beds.
But what to our wondering ears should resound
but the yipping and yapping of one little hound.

Outside at 4:30, the night was still darkened,
but Daddy, unnerved, had got up from her barking,
and lo, in the grass that was cold now with dew,
she squatted and whiffled and let out some poo.

Then back in her dog-bed, she settled once more
as Daddy closed quite firmly the bedroom door.
Awakened at seven, we rose to her clatter
wondering what on earth now was the matter.

It seemed that she only desired to play
and barking was merely her start for the day.
Imagine the words that were said by poor Dad
when he found she had pooed in her bed! -- bad! bad! bad!

So do not forget before you go to sleep,
If you want Mommy her puppy to keep,
You'd better be praying for her night and day,
lest Daddy give Sugar and Mommy away!

Yes, the prayers were answered; Sugarplum slowly but surely outgrew these bad habits, replacing them with less irritating ones.
She steadfastly endeared herself to Mommy and Daddy, but is
still on conditional probation after 9 months.

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare,
and love we can spare. 
And in return, dogs give us their all. 
It's the best deal man has ever made.   M. Acklam