Our Dog Tippy Poem by Gayle Sweeney

Through the green yards our brother Billy carried
Little Tippy home in his arms one sunny day.
Tippy was only a puppy then and we were so happy
He was brought to our house to stay.
He grew up to be a small black dog with four bright white paws
And a white spot above his wet nose.
When he saw us coming home he wiggled and wiggled
His short tail and shook down to his glad toes.
On the sidewalks by the streets Tippy always tried
To walk carefully right around the puddles.
He simply did not like to get his dry, sparkling white paws
Even a little bit wet at all.
Tippy followed Rick, the youngest, to church on some Sunday mornings
And sat with him in a pew.
When he got old one day dear Tippy must have gone straight up
To heaven since his heart was true blue.
One time Tippy was lost but later on he was found about
A mile away in the church yard.
If little Tippy had disappeared forever we would have surely
Taken it very hard.
Summers we lived by the beach and we'd get calls to say Tippy
Was at the pizza store again.
I don't think he got pizza or pasta but he was looking for family
Who worked there often.
Our funny Dad liked to give Tippy a small cookie then pour him
Some cold, refreshing milk next.
Our Dad explained Tippy had to have milk with his cookie because
They go together the best.
Some nights our father drove the car down our side street with
Baloney to get Tippy to come home.
Tippy hopped into the stopped car once out the open window
His piece of baloney was shown!
Little darling Tippy came home sadly smelling awful
Whenever he was sprayed by a skunk.
He got tied to the lamp post then cleaned with a whole can
Of tomato juice as his spirits sunk.
We had a small german shepard stay with us at times, too,
Named Marta who became Tippy's friend.
They'd both hurry out the front door to play and just before
They'd run, often they were seen kissing!
If we did not feel well Tippy came over to us sometimes to sit snuggly
Right by our feet.
Tippy was such a very joyful comfort and one of the best dogs
You'd ever want to meet.