Monday, December 8, 2014

The Gift

Dedicated to all my pupbrothers and pupsisters, wherever you are, and in memory of those who stay with us in spirit. From the loudest, most playful bark to the quietest nuzzle, what we do reaches many, and we really are joined as one. Peace and Joy to you all!

- Pup Tripp, IPC Intl Puppy 2014 -



THE GIFT

         by Pup Tripp


Gather ‘round, ye faithful pups
    Come sit beside the tree
    Now listen close, a tale I’ll spin
    So let your tails wag free

Once upon a time there was
    A pup without a name
    Who yearned for collar, bowl, and leash
    No handler ever came

No howl his ears perked beheld
    Nor other’s playful bark
    Alone he pined the whole year through
    And whimpered in the dark

On silent night, on Eve of Yule
    To sleep and then to dream
    The pup lay down with head on paws
    With naught but Moon’s bright beam

In his dream he looked above
    Upon the Moon’s pale face
    In loneliness he sought to ask
    The Moon to show his place

"Tell me, Moon, oh shining bright
    Why do I howl alone?
    Where’s a hand to hold my leash
    Or collar of my own?"

Silver tears the Moon did cry
    With light She held him near
    And subtle touch to raise his chin
    Her words She spoke so clear

“Listen close, my lovely pup
    With both your ears and heart
    For on the wind the sounds you seek
    Your shadows they will part"

"See and hear, you aren’t alone
    The pack’s already there
    It waits for you with open paws
    It waits for you to share”

Carefully he listened now
    To howls upon the wind
    To playful yips and barks of joy
    And to a voice within

“Go, be free, my precious pup
    Brothers wait, and sisters too
    The rest you seek will come in time
    Just when it’s right for you”

And in his joy, a name he found
    That was his very own
    It spoke to who he was inside
    Within his eyes it shone

Pup, he woke and barked with glee
    The pack, its howl did ring
    Pup, he knew, had come home at last
    His heart could finally sing

The Moon, She smiled with delight
    To see the pup’s tail wag
    With brilliant beams a gift She left
    A shining silver tag.

On the front, by dreams was etched
    His name, and on the back
    “You never have to be alone
    We’re here, One Love One Pack”

 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Twas a Pup Before Christmas


Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the pound
All the puppies were “sleeping,” except for one hound
Stockings were hung for each handler and pup
Hoping that Santy Paws soon might show up
The handlers were bundled in bed for the night
Having drunk all the red and half of the white
That mischievous mutt, though not very agile
Arose from his bed to wander awhile
On kneepads and mitts to not make a sound
He slipped out of the kennel to just poke around
To the top of the stairs he did quietly slip
Then all the way down (with nary a trip!)
Into the kitchen he quietly crept
Looking for treats while everyone slept
When in by the tree there came a quick noise
That sounded suspiciously like new squeaky toys
With tail all a-waggin’, he ran to the cause
In hopes of a glimpse of Santy Paws
And there by the fireplace, in chaps and high boots
With bulldog and chest hair all covered in soot
Was Santy Paws setting down new puppy dishes
And harness and leashes to fill puppy wishes
For the handlers were gloves and jocks made of leather
For both there were singlets, good for all weather
He kept to his work, ignoring the mutt
Whistling and shaking his nice furry butt
And when he was done, he chuckled with glee
Then glanced at the pup hiding there by the tree
“You naughty pup,” he laughed as he said
“You should be getting back to your bed!”
With a scratch to the ear, he turned with a whirl
Distracting the pup by calling out “Squirrel!”
The pup looked around and when he turned back
Santy Paws had just vanished, along with his sack
But still to be heard, a voice from the night
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!