One day Irwin wanted a friend.

So he biked to a pet store with money to spend.

The number of choices made choosing a fuss.

But the "I" became "we" when Irwin found Gus.

"We'll get the essentials as long as were here...

Though finding the exit will take us a year."

Just then there appeared a curious sort...

A boy with a dog on a leash way too short!

"My leash will keep her out of harm's way.

And there's never a chance of her going astray.

Quite a popular leash with all kinds of folks!

There's just one problem...

This leash often CHOKES!"

"What's the commotion?" asked the manager.

Gus and Irwin at that point winced.

"My leash is fashion," said a model in passing.

Gus and Irwin remained unconvinced. 

Then the sound of some forgotten song

From a girl with a dog on a leash way too long!

"The leash gives me freedom," said the girl in a boast.

There's just one problem...

Her dog's always LOST!

A clerk held up a remote-control zapper:

"The voltage adjusts, the results spectacular.

Say what you will, but with a flip of my finger...

Dogs go anywhere with the help of this ZINGER!"

"Let's go home," sighed Irwin. "We'll ask Mom's advice.

She knows what to do and she's so very nice."

So the pair arrived home in barely a wink.

"What leash should I get?" was all he could think.

In his haste to get answers, Irwin burst through the door.

"Mom, I'm confused about leashes and want to learn more.

I saw leashes of silk and leashes of leather,

And waterproof leashes to use in bad weather.

Should I get Gus a short leash or a long one instead?"

But before Irwin could finish, his mom smiled and said:

"This world is full of a number of voices;

You can never be sure you made the right choices.

Yet, whatever you do, a good place to start...

Is to think with your head, but follow your heart."

"Thanks, Mom," said Irwin, "for helping me decide."

But Irwin forgot that Gus was outside.

When he went to the porch, Gus was nowhere in sight.

Putting Irwin the boy in a terrible fright.

With tears in his eyes, he searched high and low...

And he checked all the places his puppy might go.

"I was worried about leashes and forgot about you

And now it's late, I don't know what to do!"

Irwin arrived at his home after hours in the park.

Imagine his surprise when he heard Gus'  bark!

Gus and Irwin embraced and were never seen apart.

You see the leash that really matters is written in your heart.

When in control,

Show some restraint.

But letting go is tempting fate.

Too short a leash,

No room to grow.

Too long a leash,

No time to sow.

Our story ends 

On a playful tug.

The perfect leash, of course, is

LOVE!

 

By John Barrett

 

http://www.filmannex.com/webtv/historymavens/