The Nanny Dog

1. We've got an old dog
2.  that we've had from a pup,
3. We've cared for and loved her,
4.  and watched her grow up.
5. A nice friendly dog
6.  you can trust off the lead
7. Who'll listen for whistles
8.  and come back with speed.
   
   
9. She's ever so patient
10.  with curious kids
11. They'll poke in her earholes
12.  and stroke her eyelids -
13. She's never annoyed
14.  by these bothersome acts,
15. She loves the attention
16.  and never reacts.
    
    
17. She's charming and gracious
18.  with people she'll meet
19. And ever so gentle
20.  when handed a treat.
21. And after the birth
22.  of our own baby T
23. Helped us with parenting,
24.  Mary and me.
    
    
25. A big floppy dog
26.  who will loll on my lap
27. And gaze at me lovingly
28.  watching me nap,
29. Or lie in my study
30.  to snooze while I write
31. And check on my welfare
32.  when working at night.
    
    
33. Although she's my faithful
34.  unwavering friend
35. She isn't quite perfect,
36.  I will not pretend:
37. The things that she eats
38.  give her terrible breath;
39. And sometimes the farts she does
40.  smell just like death;
    
    
41. She was rather jumpy
42.  and barked as a pup;
43. And sometimes the garden
44.  she'd choose to dig up.
45. But we wouldn't swap her,
46.  she's part of the clan,
47. For she is our Nanny dog.
48.  We love you, Nan!
    
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by Albert Semple
48 lines over 6 stanzas.