Sometimes the simplest
things are the best.
The magic of play
among kids and their pets
comes from the time
they spend with each other,
rather than whether
a toy lasts forever.
As children grow up,
they go through phases.
Peek-a-boo games
don’t last for ages.
But sticks and balls
always win the day
whenever it’s
doggy-time for play!
Artwork: FRIENDS by Karen Erasmus
Margot the Wise and Piddling Pete
Were off on an adventure, a real treat.
They met up with Toby, Rusty and Muldoon
Down at the park near the lagoon.
They sniffed each other and marked their patch
Excited to be together, a mixed breed batch.
Off they ran at an alarming pace
Helter skelter, look out everyone it was a race!
They zig zagged past pedestrians out on the street
Barking with joy, life was sweet.
They arrived at the stadium with not a moment to spare
The dignitaries had arrived and were seated on a big chair.
The dog squad breathed a collective sigh of relief
They sat down and relaxed, there was no beef!
Speaker number one got to his paws
A handsome, beagle hound named Jonathon Laws.
Jonathon Laws spoke quickly with clarity
Pointing out hazards and where things should be.
He introduced the guest speaker, speaker number two
A giant, black poodle named Rebecca Riley Sue.
Rebecca Riley Sue – a renowned show dog
Shared anecdotes and insights that she recorded on her blog.
Rebecca Riley Sue had a lot to say
Nevertheless, she paused –
And invited the dogs in the stadium to celebrate
International Dog Day!
Image from Pixabay
International Dog Day is celebrated on 26th August 2026
My little Archer
Can be so much fun
He loves to play games
And he loves to run.
He’ll jump on the couch
Put a paw on my leg
Try to snuggle right in
And often will beg.
But there are many times
When he’s such a pest
He won’t listen
And he just won’t rest
Barks continuously
Runs around the room
Knocking stuff over
It makes me fume.
He’s so energetic
A walk’s not enough
Needs constant attention
Which can be quite tough.
But I do love him dearly
Despite being a pest
He’s mostly loving
And to that I can attest.
image from Pixabay
Adeline Rose just loved to pose,
Her mum would say, “eyes this way, chin up, that’s my girl.”
Every chance she got
Whether it was inconvenient or not.
Adeline Rose would rise to the occasion
Never once flinching, posing without persuasion.
This went on for quite some time,
Until one day, Adeline Rose refused to obey.
She had had simply enough.
No cajoling, pleading or bribing would make her sway.
Adeline Rose turned her back,
This Instagram lark was merely a hack.
Her mum was devastated but what could she do?
If Adeline Rose refused her birthday party too?
Food and drink were already bought,
“It cannot just grind to nothing – to nought?”
But Adeline Rose stuck to her guns,
No party or posing – she was done.
Adeline Rose was keen to restore
Her life as a dog and nothing more!
Image from Pexels
The farmer’s made a start;
he’s loading bales of hay.
His dog is watching on
as sunrise greets the day.
It’s been a busy week,
with little time for sleep
and Geordie’s bred to work,
rounding up the sheep.
Together they set out,
across a paddock green;
a flock of sheep to shear,
way off and still unseen.
Geordie‘s sent to search;
he’ll bring them through the gate
and down toward the shed
where sharpened shears await!
The farmer knows his dog
and thinks he’s pretty good.
He trained him from a pup
to work just like he should.
A distant view reveals,
a swirling swarm of wool;
a fleece on every back
will keep the cutters full.
Geordie’s calm and quiet;
he sweeps from side to side.
Such a willing worker,
delights the farmer’s pride.
The mob’s in and job’s done,
he gives a little praise
with voice and gentle smile;
there’s kindness in his ways.
They go from dawn to dusk,
both farmer and his dog.
Geordie’s by his side
through heat or winter’s fog.
Shearing, lambing, drenching;
the seasons have no end.
He couldn’t be without
his faithful canine friend.
Dream on Geordie Junior;
you’re only eight weeks old!
Best to stay and play for now,
before you join the fold.
There’s time for you to grow,
so have a little sleep.
Your turn will surely come
rounding up the sheep.
Image from Pixabay
On the first day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
Last year’s Christmas stocking
In the bottom was a pea
On the second day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A chewed up Christmas decoration
For our brand new tree
On the third day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A dug up bone from last year
And dumped it by my knee
On the fourth day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
An old Santa hat
Found under the old settee
On the fifth day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A bit of Christmas cake
To go with my cup of tea
On the sixth day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A striped candy cane
Stolen from the tree
On the seventh day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A string of Christmas lights
He thought needed to be freed
On the eighth day of Christmas
My doggy brought to me
A potato from the vegie patch
One less for Christmas tea
On the ninth day of Christmas
My doggy brought to me
A freshly baked mince pie
And eyes that pleaded “feed me”
On the tenth day of Christmas
My doggy brought to me
An old nativity book
Pages ripped out for me to see
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My doggy brought to me
Santa’s special cookies
Left out for Santa’s feed
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My doggie brought to me
A heart of Christmas cheer
Which was really all I need
My mate Wally had a collie that he gave the name of Molly
And he thought it would be jolly to pull Molly on a trolley,
But poor Molly, when she tried it, was determined not to ride it,
So that once it hit a bump, she decided she would jump.
Now when Molly left the trolley she soon showed me Wally’s folly,
For without the weight of Molly even faster went the trolley
And while Wally tried to race it, he was failing to outpace it,
So it quickly knocked him over, but with luck he fell on clover.
Soon he had a lick from Molly who felt sorry for poor Wally,
But both Wally and his collie just ignored the upturned trolley,
Then with Wally’s heels near bleeding and the collie always leading,
They went back to where they started and much wiser I departed.
Monty says: The prompt had me thinking about the different breeds of dogs and their various temperaments. I then saw the possibilities for some humorous rhyme, featuring a gentle intelligent collie.
I am a friendly yellow dog. Shakira is my name.
I’m always ready for a jog, go fetch or other game.
When I was only six weeks old, I came to live with Ben.
He wasn’t big enough to hold me but we’ve grown since then.
Now I’m his close assistant; he’s not ever on his own.
Where Ben goes, I’m consistently his loyal chaperone.
He’s never in the pool except I swim along beside,
And not a single night he’s slept without me by his side.
When we play football in the park, Ben’s always safe with me.
The bullies scatter at my bark; I guard him faithfully.
If we play cricket in the yard, the ball is mine to catch.
In all the world it would be hard to find a better match.
But recently there’s been a change. I’m not allowed upstairs
And Ben’s been acting kind of strange as if he hardly cares.
He doesn’t even want to play or run or swim right now.
I wish that I could find a way to turn time back somehow.
If I should whimper like a child each time he walks away
And maybe go a little wild, he might decide to stay.
I’ll throw my front paws on his chest and slobber on his face.
Then he’ll remember I’m the best friend that he can’t replace.
Oh no, my plan does not work well! Ben isn’t so impressed.
From his expression I can tell he must be slightly stressed.
My paw prints stamped his brand new shirt which shouldn’t make him shout.
Ben doesn’t mind a little dirt so what’s the fuss about?
‘Get down, Shakira,’ Ben commands. ‘Go over there and wait.’
He doesn’t seem to understand I’m telling him he’s great.
At this point, I see something new. Ben’s mum comes to the door.
She holds a bundle wrapped in blue I haven’t seen before.
‘He’s ready for the photo, Ben. His eyes are open wide.’
A grin undoes Ben’s frown and then he follows her inside.
I creep towards the open door. I peek into the room.
I tiptoe on the polished floor and sniff a sweet perfume.
Ben’s baby brother stares at me. I recognise his face
And as we’re gazing, suddenly, it all falls into place.
‘Shakira, girl,’ Ben calls, ‘Come here. You’re in the photo too.’
Instead of ONE dear boy, it’s clear, now I belong to TWO.
Sharon Hammad
There once was a postie called Progge
Who had a most wonderful dog
It could carry more letters
Than fifteen red setters
And he never got lost in the fog!
Sioban says: I wrote this in primary school after we learnt about limericks – and for some reason I have always remembered it!
My Border Collie’s Folly
We have a Border Collie,
he’s a lovely little chap,
his fur is black and fluffy
and he loves to get a pat,
but he never sees the folly
of annoying the neighbour’s cat.
He wags his tail with pleasure
when he sees her on the fence,
then leaps beyond all measure,
making Pussy go quite tense,
but he never sees his folly
he hasn’t got much sense!
Puss’s fur extends like arrows,
she hisses and she spits,
but Collie’s eyes just narrow
he imagines her in bits,
but never sees the folly,
of getting her off the fence!
The fence is now vibrating
Pussy hangs on like grim death,
Collie’s loudly barking,
I wish he’d take a rest,
but suddenly there’s silence
Pussy’s leapt away,
so Collie’s little folly
must wait for another day.
Alix Phelan
Australian Children’s Poetry 