When I was one-and twenty,
I had a Labrador
who always ran beside me
on field and fell and moor.
My neighbors all pronounced him
as brainless as a log,
but I was one-and-twenty--
'twas “Love me, love my dog.”
But when I took him hunting
he scared away the grouse,
and he was sadly given
to peeing in the house.
He dug up my nasturtiums,
he ate my favorite hat.
Now I am two-and-twenty,
and I prefer a cat.