(This poem is dedicated to Felix, Our four-legged son who passed away at four, and took away such happiness as we had never experienced before)

Somebody recently said that Felix is my pet

That’s because she hadn’t met the beagle yet.

Or else, she surely would have clearly seen

How badly mistaken she had actually been.

A little study of the domestic order of the peck.

Would’ve revealed the collar around my neck.

Have you ever been held to ransom by your own?

Or chewed with frustration contention’s bone?

Losing entirely to floppy ears, the plaintive wail,

Mournful eyes, and a twitching reproachful tail?

There are battles you cannot fight, let alone win.

When you are seen committing a cardinal sin.

Tilting at windmills may be a quixotic folly so droll

But narrow-eyed duelling over a full feeding bowl?

Looking daggers at the obstinate turned-away nose

Hilarious the more, for all it does to move sulky paws.

Capitulate, Sir- in caress, smother and kisses galore

And feed by hand, a mouthful at a time, till no more.

If there is a price to be paid for pleasure and gladness

That follow the patter of four feet and a tail in harness.

Then let me full settle it, regardless of what it may cost

Lest all the soft warmth of love, that innocence be lost.

Let him ever carry the leash that binds me, be my thrall

Till my eyes close, and he too lies still as we finally fall.