I hung my front paws over the gate.
 

I paddled my back feet up and down.
 

I gave a big woof and waggled my rear,
 

But Mum still went off to town.
 

Dad had promised to look after me.
 

“No trouble at all,” he had said,
 

But he’d fallen asleep in his armchair
 

With the paper on his knee half-read.
 

I wandered the garden, just mooching.
 

Just searching for something to do.
 

No children to jump up and play with,
 

They’d all gone with Gran to the zoo.
 

I sat on the lawn idly scratching,
 

Then I rested my chin on my paw.
 

I lay on my back and wriggled a bit,
 

When Dad popped his head round the door.
 

“Just checking to see you’re alright lad,”
 

He grinned and stifled a yawn.
 

“Don’t mind if I go back inside now,
 

I can see you’re alright on the lawn.”
 

Alone again, and bored now,
 

To chase my tail is a must.
 

So I go round and round in circles,
 

’Till my whole coat is covered in dust.
 

I suddenly remember a great game.
 

It’s called rearranging all of Mum’s plants,
 

So I start right away, no delaying,
 

Ignoring the worms and the ants.
 

A good job here is what’s needed.
 

A job that is thoroughly done.
 

A job that Mum will be pleased with,
 

And a pat on the head for her ‘son’.
 

My legs are starting to ache now,
 

My eyelids are starting to fall.
 

I doze in the soil for a minute or two
 

When I hear Mum’s cheery call.
 

I spring to my feet, all excited.
 

Just wait ’till she sees what I’ve done.
 

I eagerly await her arrival
 

To see the results of my fun.
 

I’m sent to bed in disgrace now.
 

Mum was not pleased with my toil.
 

She’s not pleased with dad either.
 

Now he’s having to put back the soil!