A Boy's Best Friend Poem by Robert Edgar Burns

Even as a youngster
My best friend was a girl.
But it’s not what you are thinking
So let me share these few words.

Nobody knows the love that I shared
With my loyal and faithful companion.
Running together, wild and free,
And she always was first
To look out for me.

Once by a serpent I tripped and fell.
I was so frightened that I could not yell.
My faithful companion sensed danger was near.
She destroyed that old snake, so I’m living this year.

So loyal, so faithful, so brave, and so true.
You know I’d be dead now, If it were not for you.
The joy that we shared in adventures together,
Is gone from me now, our joy has been severed.

You saved my life, but I could not save thee.
For that rattlesnake killed my dog, Penny!
Some day a journey will bid me depart.
I will listen in Heaven for dear Penny’s bark!