Poem #19/30- A Dog-Eat-Dog World

I found these cute babies here when I googled Dog-Eat-Dog World.
I love Golden Retrievers and couldn't resist!

I'm feeling a little bummed today, because I missed posting yesterday. I didn't do it intentionally- I posted the link for my Thursday night poem as my link on Poetry Friday. It was a really long week and  when I got home last night, I was really tired. Somehow, I got confused and thought I had already written my Friday poem, when really all I had done was post the link to my Thursday poem on Friday.  This morning, when I was more clearheaded, I realized my mistake. Maybe I will end the month with 29 poems, or maybe I will write two poems one day, or maybe I will go until May 1st. Not sure yet....

"A Dog-Eat-Dog World"

It's a dog-eat-dog world.

If you want to be the alpha dog
you will have to demonstrate dogged determination,
work like a dog, and even if
you are dog tired or sick as a dog
you will still have to dog paddle 
and keep your head above water.
Expect to put on an occasional dog and pony show. 

There will be times 
when you will feel like the tail is wagging the dog
or everything is going to the dogs
avoid barking up the wrong tree
Understand that everyone spends some time in the dog house.

In spite of your best intentions,
expect to encounter a lot of dogfights.
Do not act like a hot dog

or rub people's fur the wrong way
understand that many people's bark is worse than their bite

sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie

but you can teach an old dog new tricks

if you throw them enough bones

if you do have to fight, know when to call off your dogs

occasionally you might even have to turn tail
and slink away with your tail between your legs.

Remember, it's a dog-eat-dog world. 

(C) Carol Wilcox, 2019