The food was as I like it... cold, wet & in that wonderful tin can shape
I had it marked in a paw print on the dog door the day that I finally planned my escape

the milkman, he tried
you can bet I wanted to survive but the truck it just came far too fast
So I write on these scraps, my remembrances past, so you don't blame yourself that I've died

they put horses out to pasture
and the birds come home to roost
ain't nothin' for a puppy but the backyard on the loose
now I know my job was to lie idly beside
the way the sun retreats for the moon

i had dreams of walking the world on my own
four on the floor, every night all alone
i was ready to work for the scruff on my neck
yearning to find something of my own to protect

my bark, then, was surely bigger than my bite
chewing the cud could've been my biggest dog fight
and you know how they say we only hear certain things that you say
well, it never mattered much to me but for the will of the way

they put horses out to pasture
and the birds come home to roost
ain't nothin' for a puppy but the backyard on the loose
now I know my job was to lie idly beside
the way the sun retreats for the moon

now I loosen this collar for a dog bone bow tie
to go up and meet the big dog in the sky
i'll tell him when I get there I was spoiled in your place with the hopes that my spirit is honored by your grace

so after you read this memoir one day
or after you hear my lonesome song play
don't you trouble your mind, this old hound's doin' fine
you know, goodbyes are just words like a clock is to time

so sorry I'm not with you
so sorry I can't be
please know I was the best friend this old mutt could be
if you remember that spot where my favorite tree grows i hung up my leash on a branch, now it's yours