In Houston town, on Rancho Bauer,
There lives a dog with magic power,
Whose winning canine charm and grace
Seduce all those who see her face,
For whom these verses lay a claim
To spread the fame of Darla's name.
As guard, she must invigilate
To keep her home inviolate.
Now doughty Darla's on patrol,
Tip-toeing smartly through the hall,
Not scavenging across the floor,
Head up and checking door by door.
If nothing's found, her duty's done,
And life reverts to having fun.
A nifty shifty through the glass
Before deciding she can pass
Untroubled to the couch and choose
To settle snugly for her snooze.
But snoozing's no priority
Upon the loud sonority
Of cutlery against a plate,
Which signals food, so scarce of late,
And calls her down to seek a treat
By lying low around the feet
Of sundry hungry humans, who
Will sometimes drop a crumb or two.
Now walking on her lengthy lead,
She paces where the peacocks feed,
Discoursing in the fragrant air
Of matters none but birds can share;
Then, backward turning on the road,
Retracing steps to her abode
Where calm presides until the hour
When Darla sleeps in Rancho Bauer.
