THE LEGEND OF THE DESERT DOG

IT WAS BORN OF THE LAND OF THE DESERT REALM
A MIX OF MANY THINGS
OF HOGS AND DOGS AND CACTUS HAIR
INTO THIS WORLD IT BRINGS

A CREATURE KNOWN SO FAR AND WIDE
IT'S LEGEND GOES THIS WAY
OF THOSE WHO CROSSED ALONG IT'S PATH
RECALL IT'S FLEECE OF GREY

UPON FIRST GLANCE YOU SEEM TO THINK
A SOFT AND SUPPLE COAT
BUT WHEN YOU PET THIS MIGHTY BEAST
IT REMINDS YOU OF A GOAT

BUT HOW IS THIS YOU COME TO SAY
A PET THAT'S ROUGH TO TOUCH
WHEN UNDERNEATH THAT PRICKLY FUR
YOU'LL FIND YOU LOVE IT MUCH

THE SWEETNESS OF THE DESERT ROSE
IT'S DISPOSITION CLEAR
BUT WHEN YOU BRING YOUR NOSE TO IT
IT'S SMELL YOU'LL GROW TO FEAR

THEY SAY IT HAS SO MANY NAMES
IT MUDDLES UP THE FACTS
SO ONE FINE GIRL SO BOLD IT SEEMS
DECIDES TO CALL IT MAX

SHE SCOOPS IT OFF THE DESERT FLOOR
SHE HOPES TO TAME THIS HOUND
SO THE DESERT DOG LETS HER BEGIN
TO TURN THIS DOG AROUND

FOR MANY YEARS SHE LOVES ON MAX
THE SON SHE NEVER HAD
AND FINALLY THAT DESERT DOG
GREW INTO BEING GLAD

HIS HAPPINESS SOON FILLED THE SKIES
AND ALL WHO GAZED ON HIM
THEY SAY HE WENT FROM A SKINNY BEAST
TO SWEET BUT NOT SO THIN

THAT DESERT DOG NEVER LOST HIS ROOTS
AS HE MOVED FROM HOME TO HOME
IT IS SAID THAT GIVEN HALF THE CHANCE
THAT DOG WOULD SURELY ROAM

NOW THAT MAX HAS PASSED THIS EARTH
THE DESERT'S OUTSTREACHED ARMS
WILL TAKE BACK THAT FROM WHICH IT CAME
IT'S ASHES FILLED WITH CHARMS

ONE TAKES A RISK OF LOVING FREAKS
OF NATURE'S POTPOURIE
BUT IN THIS CASE THE GIRL DID RIGHT
I KNOW THAT YOU'LL AGREE

WITH LOVE

JOE OZIER