Show Day

I'm a German Shepherd puppy,
Just starting my career.
I find it very funny,
The things I see and hear.

The rings are just gigantic,
As far as I can see.
I get to run my fastest,
At speeds over 103.

I often look behind me,
My handler is tiring fast.
Sometimes it looks doubtful,
If the poor soul will last.

It must be hard for handlers,
To run at such a pace.
I find it very funny,
To see their red face.

The judge has now said halt,
Darn good thing I think.
My handler is getting sweaty,
He's giving off a stink!

Oh no, here comes the awful part
What I go through to be a star.
Hey wait just a minute,
My legs don't stretch that far.

My handler grabs my mouth,
Yanks it open for all to see.
The judge is counting teeth,
Didn't nobody ask me!

Oh look, I see my Mom,
She's jumping up and down.
The judge looked at Mom,
With a very horrible frown.

Now we're running round again,
The judge has yelled slow.
My Mom called my name,
But now where did she go.

I run my little heart out,
Everytime I hear my name.
But every time I get there,
She's gone and moved again.

The judge has made his choices.
Hurray, he pointed to me.
Can I please have my rosette,
I have to go out and pee.

The show is now all over.
I really did my best.
My handler is going home, he said,
He really needs a rest.

The rosette is on the mantle.
My head's on Mom's lap
I know I made her happy to-day,
Now I'm going to take a nap.

The Retired Show Dog

He sits to the side, out of the way while others beg head rubs, or force you to play.

His dark liquid eyes watch your every move hoping and waiting, his love to prove.

He was shown many times, a promising pup And he just got better as he grew up.

A picture of health, robust and strong, his gait and top line, never went wrong.

But his prime has passed, and he seems to know, that he'll never again be put in a show.

He eats, he sleeps, not much more than that, and maybe he's getting a little too fat.

He loves to be brushed, when you have the time, He waits for his turn at the end of the line.

You think of him, sure, but not nearly as much As those promising pups, that new special and such.

So he sits and he waits, til you have the time, To make the same fuss as you did in his prime.

A scrap of affection, or playful shove, to him it means everything, to him it means LOVE!

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The German Shepherd Dog

I am a canin of noble birth
A German Shepherd Dog - courageous, alert
I protect my master to earn my keep
In grassy fields I guard his sheep
I've heard it often said
"no finer dog has yet been bred"
The times have changed, a new day's dawned
Alas, I find myself in a foreign land

I am a canine of noble birth
I protect no man, I guard no herd;
Stripped of my birthright
I carry on A lonely virgil for times long gone
When I learned how to treat a lamb
Or how to control a powerful ram
When I had to chase the wolves from their pray
to keep the flock calm, and from going astray
When I was taught how to stand my ground
to defend my master, when troubles abound
There was no limit to what I could do
My courage and loyality saw my through
Now, I am told I was bred for "show"
DO I deserve to be dropped this low?
In the canine world I am the King
I do not care for the dog show ring
It bores me til the day I die
Why can I no longer do my part
And serve mankind with all my heart?
My heritage demands of me to be what I was born to be
Return my birthright that once was mine

A CHANCE TO LAY MY LIFE ON THE LINE

The Spirit of a German Shepherd Dog

I was standing on a hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And the spirit of a German Shepherd

Was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes

An ancient wisdom shining through

And in the essence of his being

I saw love there too.

His mind did lock upon my heart

As I stood there on that day

And he told me of this story

About a place so far away.

I stood upon that hillside

In a field of blowing wheat

And in a twinkling of a second

His spirit left my feet.

His tale did put my heart at ease

My fears did fade away

About what lay ahead of me

On another distant day.

"I live among God's creatures now

In the heavens of your mind

So do not grieve for me, my friend

As I am with my kind.

My collar is a rainbow's hue

My leash a shooting star

My boundaries are the Milky Way

Where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here

For I am not confined

But free to roam God's heavens

Among my Shepherd kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud

Gentle breezes rocking me

And dream the dreams of earthlings

And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats

And tennis balls abound

And Milkbones line the walkways

Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up

The grass all lush and green

And everyone who gaits around

Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we're all winners in this place

We have no faults, you see

And God passes out those ribbons

To each one, even me.

I drink from waters laced with gold

My world a beauty to behold

And wise old dogs do form my pride

To amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in an angel's arms

Her wings protecting me

And moonbeams dance about us

As stardust falls on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent

And you stand at Heaven's gate

Have no fear of loneliness

For here, you know I wait."

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The German Shepherd Dog

The stately German Shepherd-
Protective, bold and smart,
Looked into my eyes one day
And quickly stole my heart.
Courageous and endearing,
A favorite of its breed,
So proud and yet so loving,
A steadfast friend indeed.
Caring disposition,
Faithful to the core-
If you have a Shepherd’s love,
You cannot want for more.

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Just a Dog
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

by Richard A. Biby

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