A little blue notebook and a little blue pen
Belonged to a girl
Who was blue because she didn’t have what she wanted most in the world
a soft thing, a furry thing, a thing to pet
a thing whose eyes were wide and nose was wet
all of her friends had one, maybe two
she saw the color the thing brought and that’s why she was blue
so she begged and pleaded for the thing that she needed
until her parents finally came through
In the summer, they said, if you can prove to us
that you’d walk it, feed it, do enough,
that it’s not a phase and you’ll forever love
Then maybe a dog can join us.
A little blue notebook and a little blue pen
Belonged to a girl
who had to wait for what she wanted most in the world
She was in fourth grade and it was the year of lemonade stands and so she made plans
With each cup bought, she rattled a tip jar
Loose dimes and pennies wouldn’t go far
But she wanted to prove she could lend a hand.
While she waited for summer, she took her book and pen
She did some research and interviewed friends
What’s your dog like? And what’s its name?
Does it sit, does it speak, does it play games?
Time did not pass fast and waiting was rough
But soon a dog would join us.
A little blue notebook and a little blue pen
Belonged to a girl
Who was on her way to get what she wanted most in the world
She got to the place, a rescue close by
And was sold the minute she looked in his eyes
Six months old, black and white, was calm and friendly and put up no fights
We bought him that day, packed him away, and brought him home to start his new life
Bandit was young and fast, a lean-mean-running machine built to chase and built to last
He fit right in, both in our house and in our hearts
He got excited seeing us again after just minutes spent apart
If we had doubts before they’d all been flushed
Because the perfect dog had joined us.
A little blue notebook and a little blue pen
Belonged to a girl
Who grew up alongside what she wanted most in the world
He was there for each big moment, most happy some sad
Put his head on her knee each time she felt bad
He was there when friends came to sleep over
When she had homework to slave over
When she would feel like her life was over
He was always there and his tail would wag.
As her face become covered with makeup, his became more and more white
As she left the house more often, his getting around took more and more might
Soon she was a teenager and dealing with much, sometimes forgetting the dog had joined us.
A little blue notebook and a little blue pen
Belonged to a girl
Who was preoccupied with things other than the best thing in the world
She had her friends and her phone, which her eyes were glued to when she was home
Instead of the dog who never let her be alone
She still gave it love; he was still her best friend
But her life had changed and she hadn’t noticed it yet
She left for college, left him behind
She missed him, loved him, but didn’t cry
I’ll see him soon, and though the wait will be tough, soon again my dog will join us.
A little blue notebook and a little blue pen belonged to a girl
Who sat in the yard with what she wanted most in the world.
When did his legs get so weak?
And when did his face get so grey?
And what did I miss when I was away?
He sits there so peaceful, smelling the breeze
I kneel close by on my knees and we watch the trees sway
How much longer will he be able to do this?
Oh, how quickly did he age.
And has it really been that long since the fourth grade?
It’s moments like this I realize I should save snapshots for my mind that don’t have to change.
We grew together, got older side by side
And never will those memories be left behind.
We’ve been through it all, the downs and ups.
So happy my dog could join us.
