Neil Meili

Zen Cowboy Poet & Freelance Philosopher

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Tag Archives: Dogs

Farm Dog

Audio Recordings, Farm, Ranch Life / tagged Death, Dogs, Farewell, Goodbye, Love, pets, Rules / June 23, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

My dad doesn't allow pets in the house
they weren't allowed in on the farm
where he grew up either

Once, when he was eight
the dog came up the stairs

down the hall to the room on the right
where his young mother lay dying

Laid his head for a moment on her lap
and went out again

For Victor

Audio Recordings, Relationships / tagged Aging, Dogs, Learning, Love, pets, Wisdom / May 27, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

The only trick an old dog can learn
is how to be an old dog

The minimum of turns one has to take
before lying down for that nap

That a bark is as good as a chace
for keeping squirrels off the deck

And that after all these years
of standing up for your standing friends
you've likely earned their kneeling by you now

Dog Whistlers

Audio Recordings, Haiku / tagged Country Music, Dogs, Humor / May 26, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Of course dogs whistle
mostly old country tunes
sad we can't hear them

1 Reply

Dogs and Boys

Audio Recordings, Relationships / tagged Companionship, Connection, Dogs, Love, pets / May 25, 2026 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Twenty thousand years
they walked the plains together

The boy did not know that
The dog did not know that

Or did they

Photo of author’s Uncle Bruce with Pepper circa 1928

Blue-Eyed Boy

Audio Recordings, Environment, Nature, Nostalgia, Ranch Life, Remembering / tagged Childhood, Companionship, Dogs, Freedom, Play, Prairie / May 9, 2025 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Blue-eyed boy
blasts off from breakfast
like a quail on a rail

Collie dog leaps on board
and they’re off across the prairie
barely touching the tops of hills

Sun gives warmth or cloud gives shade
all depending on his whim
birds and rocks and swaying grass
everything living embraces him

Burrs don’t stick and thorns don’t prick
even fences, joining in the play
happily turn their barbs away

Floating along on the wings of four
not long now till they slam that door

Author, about age 4, on the Saskatchewan ranch

Buddy Training

Audio Recordings / tagged Dogs, Experience, Learning, Pain / February 19, 2025 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Experience is a hard teacher.
She gives the test first, the lesson after - Anonymous

Training terriers would require a world without squirrels

Or if they would not teach by taunting
but give sharp lessons to cold noses
like porcupines are kind enough to do

1 Reply

Tabula Rasa on the Ranch

Audio Recordings, Farm, Nature, Nostalgia, Ranch Life, Remembering / tagged Childhood, Dogs, Solitude / February 6, 2025 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Bee thinking about
what I might have been thinking about
on those long walks, just me and the dog
and coming to the conclusion - nothing much

The dog had her nose to follow
and she older and wiser than my four or five
more likely I just followed where it took her

A covey of partridge might explode in our face
a killdeer fake hurt to mislead us from her nest
or gophers barely beat us in a race to their hole

Even though I don't remember what there was
the secret of the joy might have been what wasn't
and what there wasn't in all those acres was people

With people you had to use your wits and words
and about a hundred million ways to get it wrong

Just me and the dog it was nothing but song

Galumphing Through the Snow

Audio Recordings / tagged Dogs, Freedom, pets, Play, Winter / December 27, 2024 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

Dogs without sleds leap loosely
a hound abound brings smiles to all

A House Without A Dog

Audio Recordings / tagged Comfort, Dogs, Home, pets, Unconditional Love / December 8, 2024 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

A house without a dog is never truly warm
no matter what the thermostat says

A house however with a dog
is like a court with no judge or jury
Everyone gets the benefit of the doubt
and an ear scrath
by the bailiff gets you out

My Uncle Shot My Dog

Audio Recordings, Cowboy Poetry, Family, Farm, Ranch Life, Relationships / tagged Death, Dogs, Forgiveness, Loyalty / December 1, 2023 / by neil_2015_wordpress@neilmeili.com

My uncle shot my dog

My ever loving ever loyal saved me from the coyotes
Went back to the ranch to lead my parents to me
stuck in the mud - just like in the movies - Lassie dog

My uncle shot my dog

Maybe she had took to bitin’ people
if she did I’m sure they had it coming

Maybe she’d got to eatin’ the chickens
if she did she’d earned every one

Maybe she was old and sick and hurtin’
maybe she was better off dead than alive

I don’t remember anyone saying that
but I doubt it would’ve helped
Not when it’s your best friend - and you’re five

My uncle shot my dog

My uncle shot my dog
and went to his grave unforgiven
Maybe I can get it done before I go to mine

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Sandi Hebley on The Merry Go Roller Coaster RoundJuly 2, 2026
*Sigh!*
Anonymous on The Merry Go Roller Coaster RoundJuly 2, 2026
Yes, those rides did end too soon!
Sandi Hebley on Learning from GrandparentsJune 30, 2026
🤗
Sandi Hebley on Grandpa and Hilda and the SnakeJune 29, 2026
Ahhh. The arc of true love!
Sandi Hebley on Grandfather’s PipeJune 27, 2026
Sweet!!

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