Home

A faithful house guard,
Bernard,
Devoted watchdog serving in the yard,
Looks up the house window and sees
His friend Gigi, a curly Bolognese --
Enchanting little thing, on pillows at the sill.
Bernard is touched to tears -- what a thrill
To see old friend again!
He jumps
and wags his tail,
and yelps,
and pulls his chain:

"How is your life, Gigi, since they moved you indoors?
Remember how we endured the cold and hunger,
When we were younger
And worked in rain and frost performing sentry chore?
And what's today?" -- "I shouldn't carp --
My life is satisfied and sharp:
To start,
My Master loves me from the bottom of his heart!" --
Gigi responds, --
"I am his playing mate,

And eat the best of foods from silver plate.
But what about you?" --
"The same, no reason for pretense," --

Bernard grew sad and hung his nose. --
"Just like before, I sleep under the fence,
Enduring rain and heat.
My food -- a hardly ever bone devoid of meat,
Yet I am often kicked and beat
For barking loud without cause.
Yet how you advanced, Gigi?
You're so small and frail,

While I lay out myself and toil in rain and hail
And have all kind of troubles to abide
With no reward!
What service you provide?" --

"What service?" sneers Gigi,
"I am my Master's treasure:
I dance attendance up -- for his delight and pleasure!"

_____________

How often luck befalls to one who slaves and begs,
And fawns,
dancing on hind legs!

You can find "Two Watchdogs" and other poems by Anatoly Tsaliovich in the book "FablePolitik: Politically Incorrect Wisdom of the Wild," At International Publishers, 2009.