Watchdogs

Roscoe the Nose is a legendary searcher
known for exposing bullies and bad guys,
Rotten Nellie is on guard and looks so wicked
she could stop fire. Roscoe and Nellie

breed with high hopes, with visions
of gifted offspring, and I get the pick
of the litter, an alert, bright eyed,
high stepping, black and brown pup

that catches flies and her name is Kate.
She outgrows puppy stumble and builds
tracking skills until she finds
the last cookie at a picnic, as Kate grows

it’s clear she can’t outsmart a fence post,
she’s lazy as mud, the witless watchdog
sleeps under the porch, a parasite, alert
for any vagrant who might scratch her belly.