Robert William Service

Abandoned Dog

They dumped it on the lonely road,
      Then like a streak they sped;
And as along the way I strode
      I thought that it was dead:
And then I saw that yelping pup
      Rise, race to catch them up.
     
You know how silly wee dogs are.
      It thought they were in fun.
Trying to overtake their car
      I saw it run and run:
But as they faster, faster went,
      It stumbled, sore and spent.

I found it prone upon the way;
      Of life was little token.
As limply in the dust it lay
      I thought its heart was broken:
Then one dim eye it opened and
      It sought to lick my hand.

Of course I took it gently up
      And brought it to my wife
Who loves all dogs, and now that pup
      Shares in our happy life:
Yet how I curse the bastards who
      Its good luck never knew!