Cooper, My Best Mate

• Maddison Black, Grade 8
• Poetry
• 2009

Multicoloured, spotted friend
Big and upright ears
Tail is wagging, tongue is sagging
My voice is all he hears

He trots long with ears erect
Pads tapping on the ground
He walks straight under the trampoline
And leaves a little mound

He’s only small and miniature
But his heart is big
He barks at all the dogs next door
And snorts just like a pig

I made a scrapbook just for him
With samples of his fur
Photos of us at puppy preschool
And the days that were

He follows me wherever I go
He thinks I’ll disappear
If I go out of his sight
He crinkles up in fear

He gives me slobbery doggy smooches
I feed him everyday
Cooper, you’re my very best mate
Let’s go out and play!