The Dog was bred and trained for fighting;
        given to me . . . .in a time of war;
        loyal to me . . . .to any degree -
       we fought. . . . and traveled. . . .afar:

Through jungles and swamps, over mountains we tromped
        till the fighting was over and done.
        I trusted my life. . .in peril and strife;
      my love  . . .in the end. . . he had won!

When they told me the news. . . that he could be mine,
        to keep him - my heart jumped for joy!
        My wife was now pregnant - a joy all it's own;
      our first . . . . .I hoped. . . . . .was a boy.

My wife had our baby, but it was so sad-
        through labor in childbirth she died.
        The baby was saved, and all through the night-
       Dog . . . . and I . . . . .both cried.

I moved to the mountains - a cabin for three:
        just the baby, Dog, and me.
        Dog like a guardian quickly  became,
       The best . . . .I ever. . . . did see-

No matter what happened, in trouble or strain,
        Dog . . . . always acted. . .  The same.
        He guarded the baby - as it were his own;
      like a Mother. . . Dog. . . . became.

But one day while hunting, far out in the woods-
        I realized. . . . . .the time I'd forgot;
        neglected to remember, the baby and Dog-
      for hours . . . .food . . . .they had not.

I came home astonished. . . . .the stillness was strange,
        the place. . . . was a terrible. . . . .wreck!
        Dog on the porch , raised his leg, and I saw!-
       blood . . . . .on his paws . . . .and neck.

Searching and Screaming!. . . . . I ran all about
        as I looked for the baby, in vain-
        Blinded by fear, I could only see Dog
       the blood . . .  . hot rage. . . and pain!

Then rushing inside quickly - over the mantle
        the shotgun. . . .loaded. . . I found;
        dashed back to the porch in wild frenzy of thought;
      I needed. . . . just one . . . . single round!!!!

Dog with sad doleful eyes, sat so still,
        He patiently awaited the un-wavering Kill!
        Then as I squeezed. . . . and fired the shot-
      his love . . . and loyalty . . .I forgot.

The trigger was pulled and I couldn't have stopped-
        far too late was my desperate. . . try;
        while hearing the shot, in echo I caught:
      A tiny . . . . Baby's . . . .cry---???

I rushed to the bedroom, flung open the door-
        most certain the sound came from there!
        And found my young son. . . in the dresser drawer;
      un-harmed. . . . was every. . . . .hair.

I grabbed up my Son! . . . and bolted back where -
        in a pool. . .on the porch. . . . there Dog lay.
        Obedient he'd been, to the very end-
      in death . . . . to my  . . . . .  dismay.

The blood left a trail from his neck and paw
        t'ward the end of the porch. . . . .then I saw !
        The blood had come from wolves, he'd fought!
       They wounded . . . his neck . . . and paw.

My heart nearly BURST!. . . . .My tears flowed like rain;
        in pain. . . . .I analyzed. . . . . each track;
        Dog hid my son, before the battle he fought,
       then KILLED . . . the whole . . . .wolf pack!!!!!

My Son's now grown. . . and he does own:
         a dog whose breed's the same,
         but none Loved more. . . . than saved my son;
      Dog'  . . . . .was his only. . . . name!


Original Poem by Ron Baron