The American Working Dog Poem by Patricia Kelley

He or she may seem like just an ordinary dog.
But this dog can smell a grenade in the smog.
This is a trained American Working Dog.
Trained to smell the enemy’s weaponry,
His sniffing skills are sharp.
Concise,
He’s very wise.
He can smell a buried detonation cord.
Whether it be above or down below,
He starts digging with the command of one word.
Or sign,
It’s in his bloodline.
His skills are sharp.
He knows the command verb.
He knows when to bark.
And when to be quiet,
He can move in complete silence.
He readily moves.
He’s taught guidance.
Smelling all,
Seeing all,
Ready to attack the enemy,
Whether it be, an explosive or the enemy,
The American Working Dog
In the military he or she is a soldier’s best friend.
That moves with one instant command.
By word or motion,
This American Working dog’s heart is pure devotion.