Some may see her as a monstrous beast;
Some adults and children can go as white as a sheet;
Some people fear her because of the past;
And some have no reason, how long will this last?

Some have seen her kind, plastered all over the news;
How they can kill in a breath, but they hear what they choose!
Malicious... ignorant... volatile... deadly
Is this not exaggeration? To some they’re not even scary

When she jumps up to see me, it’s a burst of relief;
A sight for sore eyes, she hasn’t seen me all week!
But to others she hates them; she wants to knock you for six;
But you’re new and exciting; just a smell and a lick

I want her to chase me, to jump at my back;
It’s just rough and tumble, so cut her some slack!
I know she won’t hurt you, but she senses your fear
It’s not skin and bones she is after? Have you got it? Is that clear?

When she hurts, I hurt. When I cry she’s there.
Not everyone will understand this; how much she cares.
Some people grow up with dogs all of their lives,
And dread that moment, 10-12 years down the line