STRAY

One time on a trip
my dad stopped at a convenience store
(we called them ice houses back then)
to get some drinks and gas
and there was a dog running around loose
looking for scraps and attention
I was just a kid
along for the ride but
I got to playing with that dog
and petting it and talking to it
It was such a friendly dog
When it came time to go
I begged my dad to let me keep that dog
Believe it or not, he said Yes
(I think mom may have influenced the decision)
And so...I opened the car door
and in hopped the dog
I was so happy to have that old stray dog
I named him Sandy because of his color
he was wild and untrained
and slobbered all over everything
but there was such joy in that dog
he had found a home
and he became a true friend to me
the best friend a boy could ever have.