Labrador Lady

The Labrador Lady is growing old.

Her muzzle and paws are grey.

When out to wrangle I leave her at home.

She is quite content to stay.

She wag her tail as she muzzles my hand,

And her kind eyes seem to say,

"I know you will forgive me Him,

If I stay home today.

When my eyes were keen and my legs were strong

It was fun to go with you,

To hunt along the Salmon's shore

Where the tall green rushes grew.

There were scents to follow,

Strange things to find,

Good things to see and know,

Midst the lily pads where the bull frog sings

And the muskrat builds his home.

Chipmunks to harry squirrels to chase,

Where the pines grew straight and tall.

The wild ones won the race at times;

If not it was their downfall.

When the coyote got too bold,

We would chase him over the hill.

Where the creek runs clear and cold

We would tarry and drink our fill.

Marmots we stalked when they grazed away

Too far from the rocky den, 

A cunning stalk, a sudden sally,

When I got there on time,

Mr. Marmot was out of luck,

And a tasty dinner was mine.

Into the saddle bag went he.

At sundown when we got home,

I had for myself a dainty dish, 

And a juicy marrow bone.

Cotton tails were a special treat.

Seldom could they be found.

I picked up one or two on Nash

At the end of a fast go round.

Hurry back from you ride Dear Friend.

I miss you when you are away.

I would like to go along with you

As I once did, day by day.

Free to keep pace with Molly or Riff

Or hunt along the way,

Then we would sit and rest awhile

On the Knoll by the Salmon's shore,

Hear the grey loon call

Watch the beaver build,

See the osprey circling high,

While the curlew called to his absent mate, 

As a Whitetail wandered by."

"Little black hunter you stay home,

Curl up on the buffalo hide.

I shall bring you back your favourite fare

When I return from my ride.

Home once more, the sun gone down,

The little wolf sings on the hill.

We will site together faithful one

By the hearth where the pine logs glow, 

And must awhile on the things that are

And dream of the long ago."