Ode to Jack
This is a story of Black Jack the brave
A handsome young whippet
Some 10 weeks of age
Who waved
A white tipped tail from
On his arrival at Island Close, number 24
He was eagerly welcomed by one and all
Jack sniffed every corner
And good he found
Wagging as he padded around
Following the footfall of another great whippet
Charlie aka Sir Selinko Bluechip
The two were instantly best of friends
Curled together
Matching book ends
Jack loved to be with his newest mate
Longingly leaning over the gate
When quarantine ended
Jack was free to explore
To the Lammas and Laleham
Running as fast as his little paws
Would go
Fearless Jack, Barking loudly
At other dogs in manner rowdy
Got him chased by a Dulux giant
Gave wobbly legged Jack
A bit of a fright
But his love of the chase
And for having a lark
Won’t stop Jack from teasing the biggest dogs in the park
Jack otherwise occupies his time
By chewing, chomping and choking
On rawhide
Or sometimes shoes, cushions and suchlike
Despite his diminutive size
He usually has Charlie’s prize as well
Jumping Jack, as he is fondly known
Leaps like a cricket
To shrieks of ‘Jack get down!’
He tried puppy classes
But wasn’t that keen
Bob and Elaine didn’t seem
To understand that whippets rarely do commands
They prefer to be asked politely
As is only rightly
And will certainly ‘Sit!’
But only on carpet or fuzzy blanket
/(Jack although an adventuress sort
Does enjoy his creature comfort)
A typical whippet, a fussy breed
Jack is especially fussy when it comes to feed
He wishes he could live on treats
Roasted lamb and juicy meats
Reluctantly he potters out of bed
For breakfast – if it comes from
A can
He flops back down again
And waits for something else instead
Maybe a crunchy Gravy bone or two
He sighs staring at the fridge top
A puppy Markie, Denture Stick
All of these will do the trick
A piece of ham, a lump of cheese
I’ll even sit, if you please!
The trouble is
He’s hard to resist
Especially after giving
One of his loving little licks
Tickly whiskers bristling your cheek
Don’t think him soppy
This fierce little puppy
He is Jack the destroyer
Cuddly toys beware!
There’s just one thing that makes brave heart Jack waver
The noisy scary Henry hoover
At the end of this ode, I’d say
Jack and Charlie have had a long day
Filled with love, fun and play
I’ll sign off now
For sleeping soundly are little whippets
Paws aloft
Dreaming of...rabbits?
2005
