Sandra Martyres - A stray dog
He wore a leather collar <br />Seemed to have a pedigree <br />Yet no one claimed him <br />He remained a street dog <br />One who barked incessantly <br />To announce his state of hunger <br />Or that a stranger was on the prowl <br />On all such occasions there were <br />The usual dog lovers around <br />To repond to his every sound <br />He was the general mascot <br />And everyone adored him <br /> <br />Children were greeted happily <br />With friendly licks and wags <br />He always shared their goodies <br />Biscuits, cakes and smoothies <br />He answered to many names <br />Which many considered strange <br />He was responding to the voices <br />He could have stayed in any home <br />Yet he preferred his usual spot <br />Near a lampost on the street <br />Except when it was very cold <br />He'd camp indoors for the night <br /> <br />This went on for a few years <br />He was part of the community <br />Despite his gypsy life style <br />He was a very polite canine <br />Never attacking any food until <br />It was formally offered to him <br />Then one day calamity struck <br />The mascot chased a petty thief <br />Who reacted very violently <br />He picked up stone and aimed it at <br />The dogs head leaving him dead <br />And the street in a state of grief<br /><br />Sandra Martyres<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-stray-dog/