Daisy: A Texas Heeler

Daisy is a heeler,

Who lives on our farm,

She patrols the boundaries,

So that nothing comes to harm.

She chases the little birdies,

That hop around the yard,

And all the wild rabbits,

Find she makes their lives so hard.

Now and then she goes in swimming,

In the creek down in the field,

And herds the water striders,

If they are smart they’ll yield. 

She swims circles round them and nips them,

Her own aquatic stock,

Keeps them bunched in the pools,

So they can’t hide in the rocks. 

When water work leaves her weary,

She runs up the bank,

Trailing water everywhere,

Her hair all wet and lank.

She hasn’t time to fret appearances,

She must go check the mules,

Without her to guide them,

Who would tend the long-eared fools?

She circles them and nips them,

Making sure they know she’s there,

Perhaps wondering if they know their luck,

That they are in her care.

She has to then go check the cattle,

Cows, calves, bull and steers,

To let them know she’s on patrol,

And to assuage their fears.

Then to the house in the evening,

And after the late meal,

She finds it’s time for a nap,

Some quiet time to steal.

Nestled in my lap,

Where she’s slept since she was a pup,

Never mind that she’s too large,

Now that she’s all grown up. 

She heaves a sigh and grumbles,

As she drifts of in a fog,

Such a busy life she leads,

Our little speckled dog.