My present was moving and my eyes opened wide,
I had a suspicion something alive was inside,
I pulled back the box as something banged the wall,
Out jumped a pup,
Wearing a smile that made me crack up,
I named him Ripken after someone I knew,
He was a blast to be around,
And then he started to chew,
He chewed a hole in the wall that caused much grief,
My Dad yelled "Chew Sticks" or "Left Over Roast Beef,"
When I took him for walks Ripken snorted and sputtered,
With this nose to the ground tracking anything that fluttered,
I hope Ripken sees me as a "Dog's Best Friend,"
Because I'll always be his, in the end.