ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

After spending 30 minutes yet again vacuming and another 30 minutes or so hand stripping - only to realize a few hours later that it all needed doing again I wrote this.

SHEEP-DOGS …. Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet
I have a dog called Molly a big sheepdog is she
and every year she sheds her coat for all the world to see.
Is she crossed with a Dorper or something of the like?
Because the microns none to flash and crimp’s taken a hike
but each year this dog sheds about 2 kilos I would guess
which isn’t bad given her size and I have to confess
that I’ve seen sheep shorn that cut less and with wool short and tender
whilst Molly’s fur is thick and soft and gleams bright white in splendour.

Is there a market that exists? Are perhaps spinners waiting
to spin fat skeins from fur like hers? It’s open to debating.
I’ve spun myself wool balls from sheep and spiked my hands on burrs
but never have I spun from such luxurious soft furs.
Sadly her bounty goes to waste – although bird nests are lined
with her soft ermine, some I’ve found with twigs and grass entwined.
The softest place for blue wren chicks to hatch and rest replete
with all the tucker Mother brings to their small nest discreet.

But most of her fur gets sucked up into the Dyson’s maw
and that’s most days, because it gathers thickly on the floor
and forms a layer on the rug, and gathers in the hall
an whilst a blind eye I can turn it doesn’t quite enthral
my visitors when they drop by, they think perhaps I’m slack
and do not realize Molly has a permanent attack
of fur moult, morning, noon and night caused by the summer heat
she surely is a sheep dog – but as yet she does not bleat.

But look at those eyes.....

Looks like she has been in the good paddock for a while Maureen


Robert

She has just been given the all clear from her cancer - 3 years after I was told to take her home and love her as she had maybe 2 months. She is a bit cuddly but who cares - now we can do more with her we might get back into regular walks She does have the most beautiful expressive eyes Heather and did you notice wherever you stand to look at that photo her eyes follow and look right at you. It is terrible when they have a look of fear in them. She's done the hard yards now she gets nothing but love and hopefully no more tests and surgery at the vet.

I enjoyed the poem Maureen and love the photo ... I wonder what she's thinking. We have our grand daughter's pug / jack russell cross living with us at present. She sheds hair constantly. I bought one of those robot vacs to pick it all up.

Wazza

Looks like she's joined the blue rinse set.

Molly looks beautiful.

It is a shame about the constant shedding. I recall my mother's constant struggle with dog hair all through the house.

I lovely poem Maureen

Allan

Thanks Wazza, Neville and Allan for reading.

Neville she has 'bright' wool - thats a good thing - plus the photo was taken just after her bath

Wazza one of those robot cleaners sound great but they would never cope with Mahalia's hair - be alright for Ellyssa's as she is short haired - A staffy/Jack Russell cross Allan the hair doesn't worry me particularly - you can't make omelettes without breaking eggs, but I go into panic mode when I am expecting visitors But my trusty Dyson sucks it up in double quick time and we are squeaky clean for a short while anyway.

You have dogs in the house ?

I would never have that .

anyway feather suck up much better


Bob

Bob - I've been known to have, dogs, cats, chooks, lambs, goats, mice, birds and a shetland pony in the house - but he was banned after his first attempt sometimes there was even room for people but mind you I was a bit selective about them. and of course I still have my geckos