Dogs have been man’s constant companion for thousands of years, having been domesticated some40,000 years ago. They’ve been helpful to humans in countless ways, from herding and hunting, to assisting police and aiding the disabled or elderly.
But most of us know the dog as a pet—a lovable companion that we can bond and grow with. Playful, adorable, and extremely adaptive and empathic, they’ve truly earned their sobriquet as man’s best friend.
The Best Poems About Dogs
Are you a dog lover? Read on to find the best poems about dogs that are sure to touch you and your furry friend. This selection of poems demonstrates the ways we interact with our dogs, from the joy of owning one to the grief of losing them.
1.The Power of the Dogby Rudyard Kipling
Framed as a dishonest warning, Kipling tells of how dogs inevitably die and leave us in grief. But rather than discourage, the poem emphasizes the importance of these creatures in our lives and why the inevitable pain is worth it.
There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; And when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more?Brothers and Sisters, I bid you bewareOf giving your heart to a dog to tear.Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie— Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.Nevertheless it is hardly fairTo risk your heart for a dog to tear.When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns,Then you will find—it’s your own affair—But… you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.When the body that lived at your single will, With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!). When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,You will discover how much you care,And will give your heart to a dog to tear.We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long—So why in—Heaven (before we are there)Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
2.Dogby Lawrence Ferlinghetti
The poem will let you enjoy a new perspective of the world through the eyes of a dog. Simple observations take on deeper meanings as the dog observes human life. You can find the full poemhere.
The dog trots freely in the street and has his own dog’s life to live and to think about and to reflect upon touching and tasting and testing everything investigating everything without benefit of perjury a real realist with a real tale to tell and a real tail to tell it with
3.A little Dog that wags his tailby Emily Dickinson
Seeing a dog wag his tail is one of the simplest and most satisfying pleasures. Emily Dickinson compares this action to the youthful happiness of childhood.
A little Dog that wags his tail And knows no other joy Of such a little Dog am I Reminded by a Boy Who gambols all the living Day Without an earthly cause Because he is a little Boy I honestly suppose — The Cat that in the Corner dwells Her martial Day forgot The Mouse but a Tradition now Of her desireless Lot Another class remind me Who neither please nor play But not to make a "bit of noise" Beseech each little Boy —
4.Dharmaby Billy Collins
Dharma is a simple observation of how freedom is different for humans and animals. Dogs, in particular, are much better at living without burden than humans. Check out the full poemhere.
If only she did not shove the cat aside every morning and eat all his food what a model of self-containment she would be, what a paragon of earthly detachment. If only she were not so eager for a rub behind the ears, so acrobatic in her welcomes, if only I were not her god.
5.My Dog Practices Geometryby Cathryn Essinger
This poem starts off with the author’s love of personification, something other poets hate. She then uses it to describe her dog’s actions as it chases down a squirrel. Read the full poemhere.
Nor do I like the mathematicians who tell me I cannot say, "The zinnias are counting on their fingers," or "The dog is practicing her geometry," even though every day I watch her using the yard's big maple as the apex of a triangle from which she bisects the circumference of the lawn until she finds the place where the rabbit has escaped, or the squirrel upped the ante by climbing into a new Euclidian plane.
6.Lost Dogby Ellen Bass
All dog owners have feared losing their dogs somewhere, and Ellen Bass clearly lays down that feeling of anxiety and fear into her poem. Don’t worry—it has a happy ending. Read the full poemhere.
It's just getting dark, fog drifting in, damp grasses fragrant with anise and mint, and though I call his name until my voice cracks, there's no faint tinkling of tag against collar, no sleek black silhouette with tall ears rushing toward me through the wild radish.
7.A Dog Has Diedby Pablo Neruda
Written as a response to his dog’s death, Pablo Neruda explores the meaning behind human/animal relationships, our sense of companionship, and death. Read the full poemhere.
Some day I'll join him right there, but now he's gone with his shaggy coat, his bad manners and his cold nose, and I, the materialist, who never believed in any promised heaven in the sky for any human being, I believe in a heaven I'll never enter. Yes, I believe in a heaven for all dogdom where my dog waits for my arrival waving his fan-like tail in friendship.
8.An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dogby Oliver Goldsmith
The poem is presented as a satire of how a person’s outward appearance is often different from their inner thoughts and behaviors. A man might look like a good Christian, but may only be concerned for himself.
Good people all, of every sort, Give ear unto my song; And if you find it wondrous short, It cannot hold you long. In Islington there was a man, Of whom the world might say That still a godly race he ran, Whene’er he went to pray. A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad, When he put on his clothes. And in that town a dog was found, As many dogs there be, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound, And curs of low degree. This dog and man at first were friends; But when a pique began, The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad and bit the man. Around from all the neighbouring streets The wondering neighbours ran, And swore the dog had lost his wits, To bite so good a man. The wound it seemed both sore and sad To every Christian eye; And while they swore the dog was mad, They swore the man would die. But soon a wonder came to light, That showed the rogues they lied: The man recovered of the bite, The dog it was that died.
9.The Dogby Ogden Nash
Four short lines that celebrate a dog’s love and devotion, particularly when they’re wet.
The truth I do not stretch or shove When I state that the dog is full of love. I've also found, by actual test, A wet dog is the lovingest.
10.To Flush, My Dogby Elizabeth Barrett Browning
One of the longer poems in this list, Flush is probably one of the most famous real dogs in literature. In the entirety of the poem’s 21 stanzas, Browning expresses her devotion and gratitude to her pet cocker spaniel. Read the complete poemhere.
LOVING friend, the gift of one, Who, her own true faith, hath run, Through thy lower nature ; Be my benediction said With my hand upon thy head, Gentle fellow-creature ! Like a lady's ringlets brown, Flow thy silken ears adown Either side demurely, Of thy silver-suited breast Shining out from all the rest Of thy body purely. Darkly brown thy body is, Till the sunshine, striking this, Alchemize its dulness, — When the sleek curls manifold Flash all over into gold, With a burnished fulness. Underneath my stroking hand, Startled eyes of hazel bland Kindling, growing larger, — Up thou leapest with a spring, Full of prank and curvetting, Leaping like a charger.
11.妈妈不想让一只狗by Judith Viorst
Simple and humorous, Viorst’s poem depicts a child bent on keeping a pet. Her mother’s refusal to keep a dog might just backfire. Check out the full poemhere.
Mother doesn’t want a dog. Mother says they smell, And never sit when you say sit, Or even when you yell When you come home late at night And there is ice and snow, You have to go back out because The dumb dog has to go.
Reading Poems About Dogs
Dogs are among the rare creatures that can instantly win our hearts and change our lives with their unconditional love and loyalty.
Reading poems about dogs lets you relive cherished moments, from a chance encounter with a random dog to the intimate moments you may have shared with your own.
From a dog’s undying love and devotion, to the unmatched grief of losing one, these poems capture the full experience of knowing and loving a dog.
Have you written a poem about a dog? Share it in the comment section below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
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Coleis a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
