He wore a leather collar br Seemed to have a pedigree br Yet no one claimed him br He remained a street dog br One who barked incessantly br To announce his state of hunger br Or that a stranger was on the prowl br On all such occasions there were br The usual dog lovers around br To repond to his every sound br He was the general mascot br And everyone adored him br br Children were greeted happily br With friendly licks and wags br He always shared their goodies br Biscuits, cakes and smoothies br He answered to many names br Which many considered strange br He was responding to the voices br He could have stayed in any home br Yet he preferred his usual spot br Near a lampost on the street br Except when it was very cold br He'd camp indoors for the night br br This went on for a few years br He was part of the community br Despite his gypsy life style br He was a very polite canine br Never attacking any food until br It was formally offered to him br Then one day calamity struck br The mascot chased a petty thief br Who reacted very violently br He picked up stone and aimed it at br The dogs head leaving him dead br And the street in a state of griefbr br Sandra Martyresbr br