My Phantom Furry Friend (Quiet! I'm on the Phone!)

I must confess I could be mean

When speaking to a friend,

About his dog that barks and screams

Yelping from start to end.

And then one day his dog just died,

A sad thing for my friend.

While I was grateful it was gone…

It went on to offend!

For late at night, I woke with fright,

To barks and yips and yaps,

The beast had come to haunt me, right

And keep me from my naps.

There it was! The same noise for sure! 

Hiding under the rug.

“I've got you now!” I cried aloud,

“You noisy little bug!”

I yanked the carpet quick away,

But there to my surprise,

Was naught but dust and some old coins,

Assorted shapes and size.

Above barks came! So loud and clear.

“I’ll find you!” I did shout.

And clambered up the attic stairs,

Where lights soon flickered out.

I stubbed my toe, and quickly turned,

To see a ghostly shape,

A green and glowing candle burned—

'Twas but my mirrored face!

From far below, the howls did chime,

To basements it had run!

Just as quick I downward climbed

And grinned, “the game’s now done!”

But nothing stirred there in the dark,

Save a hiss from old pipes.

I returned to where first I parked,

With only lonely gripes.

Maybe there was no real trace,

Of canine specter here.

Which turned my mind into a race--

I grinned from ear to ear.

Maybe it could come back to haunt,

Liking my company;

And barked out loud only to flaunt,

“We'll get along, you'll see!”

Perhaps I’d been too quick to judge,

A noisy pooch as pest.

Yes, it barked, but without a grudge,

Near me hoping to rest

And lick my hand, and wag a tail,

Such things that made it glad.

Complaints of mine would then have failed,

Thinking I’d made it sad.

So to the store I drove to buy,

Some treats for ghostly dogs.

And set them out, both far and nigh,

And built a fire with logs.

I guess that everyone can change,

With reason and good will.

So now a ghostly dog quite strange

Can sit near me...if still!

And if a friend calls day or night,

I’ll tell it, “shush.  The phone!”

Hopefully we will get it right;

If mute…it gets a bone!