by Marcia Mattingly Reller

Tillie was bored and she wanted some fun.
“Let’s get something started. Come on Mo, let’s run!
We’ll stir things up with the neighborhood dogs.
We can race through the park where the humans all jog.

“We’ll run through the town, past the school, down the street.
And to the Cafe’ where the nice people meet.
They eat good things there and they all sit outside.
We can grab up their food and then we can hide.

“We’ll run under the bridge, near the big pile of logs.
We’ll share Cafe’ food, have a picnic for dogs!
Cookies, cupcakes and muffins and sandwiches, too.
I can’t wait for our picnic, dear Mo, can you?”

“Oh, no,” said big Mo, “they don’t let dogs run free.
They want us to stay home or go out on a leash.
We need to be good so our people will love us.
Take a nap, Tillie. Don’t raise a ruckus.”

But it was too late. Tillie ran. She was fast.
Next door to find Doc, then Beasley and Lass.
Lana, the Scotties and Gus joined right in.
Tillie led the parade. Let the chaos begin!

They picked up more friends as they ran down the lane.
Arnie the Airedale, a Bulldog named Zane.
Rooney and Oscar soon joined in the chase.
Even old Rascal came out for the race.

“What’s this?” asked the joggers, forced off their path,
By a Yorkie named Jinx and the Mastiff McGrath.
They were followed by Sandy and Beaner and Bo.
And then came Yip, Zip, Nelly, Razzle and Mo.

Mo wasn’t happy, that’s why he was last.
His dream of a nice peaceful nap was now past.
Tillie’s headed for trouble, he thought with some fear.
I will save her again. That’s why I am here.

Pizza Place Al, flipping dough for a pie,
Was startled by twenty-three dogs racing by.
Gas Station Pete saw the dogs on the run.
“Well, they’re happy,” he laughed. “They’re having some fun!”

Down Main Street they ran. Tillie yipped and she yapped.
“Come join us, you dogs!” And they answered right back.
They barked, “Wait, we’re coming! We’ll join in the fun!”
A Collie named Coco, a Basset named Bum.

Poodle Pris was cooped up that day, being groomed.
She looked out the window, then ran from the room.
Groomer Gert saw her and quickly gave chase,
But Pris was too fast, she’d caught up with the race.

A Carpool Mom with a carload of kids
Was surprised by the dogs and went into a skid.
As they watched the pack run right past their school,
The kids started cheering, “You go, dogs! You’re cool!”

A boy on his skateboard sailed down the hill.
The dogs got in his way and he took a spill.
St. Bernard Buck stopped to lick the boy’s face,
Then turned back around and joined in the chase.

A Sheepdog, a Chow and a Maltese named Mark
Were relaxing a bit at the brand new Dog Park.
When Tillie, with thirty good dogs, passed them by
She barked, “Come to our picnic. Perhaps we’ll have pie!”

Babies in strollers were out for a walk.
Moms pushed them along, enjoying their talk.
When the dogs sped around, they went into a spin.
Wheels tangled. They cried, “What a fix we are in!”

From the alley ran Boris and Bentley and Kip
Who joined the parade with a yip, yap, yip!
When Jerry the Plumber saw how fast they ran,
He got out of their way and jumped into his van.

Crossing Guard Jen tried to stop them, she did.
But the dogs overran her, she slipped and she slid.
Flower Shop Sal called Police Captain Zeus.
“The dogs in our town are all on the loose!”

Schoolteacher Lou said to Principal Phil,
“If anyone stops them the football team will!”
But running back Marcus and quarterback Jed
Tried hard as they could. The dogs wouldn’t be led.

Tillie sent out the call to dogs far and near.
“We’re having a picnic!” she said, with a cheer.
Sid, Sammy and Mongo soon joined them with glee.
Rex, Rocky and Rambo, all dogs on a spree!

Fido, Fifi and Jack were in line at the vet’s.
Said Tillie, “Come on, to the best picnic, yet!
A Husky said, “I was just getting my shots,
But a picnic for dogs sounds like fun, quite a lot!”

A banker, a lawyer and Dr. Larue
Were walking to lunch when they saw something new.
Forty-three dogs marching right down the street,
And smiling at all of the people they meet.

Some bikers were out for a midday ride.
They saw the dogs coming and pulled to the side.
They were stunned. How confusing, bewildering, too!
If you saw such a sight, why, what would you do?

Then from the suburbs, some new friends joined in.
Riggs, Tito and Otis and Terrier Finn.
Spike, Toby and Bandit caught up with the race.
Plus Pal, Max and Lola, mutts Artie and Ace.

Cap, Charlie and Bongo joined up with the gang.
Next came Ajax and Butch, then Joey and Fang.
The Firemen all thought, “Is this an attack?
Sixty-two dogs running free in a pack?”

Through the streets of this town, the dogs blazed a trail,
Wiggling their ears and, yes, wagging their tails.
They were all on a mission and sniffing their way
In search of food for a picnic, this very fine day.

“They’re wild!” said a businessman crossing the street.
But they weren’t, the dogs just wanted something to eat.
Their noses were twitching. They slobbered and drooled.
They ran to the Cafe’, down the road, past the pool.

The dogs swarmed the tables, a big hungry crew.
Waiters, diners and bloggers, what could they do?
They watched as their lunches were carried away
By sixty-two dogs on a picnic. Hooray!

On their way to the bridge, they ran through City Mart,
And grabbed hot dogs right off of Vendor Joe’s cart.
Then picked up a Pug and a couple of strays:
Polly and good old boys, Alphonse and Ray.

The food smelled so good, bacon, turkey and cheese.
The dogs had their picnic, nice as you please,
Down under the bridge, by the stream, with a breeze.
Oh, what a picnic with friends such as these!

They shared blueberry muffins and lemon-y scones,
Salami, pastrami, roast beef without bones.
Egg salad, nut bread and biscuits with jam.
Sandwiches with cheese, pickles, mayo and ham!

Plus a bag full of light, fluffy doughnut holes,
And barbecue chicken on buttery rolls.
The hot dogs had sauce that was loaded with meat,
And the gingerbread cookies were oh, so sweet!

Just as they finished and started to roam,
Folks with leashes arrived to take them back home.
What a day! What excitement! They really had fun.
All sixty-five dogs. Oh, yes, every one.

The Dogcatcher, Henry, was there with his truck.
Were there strays to be captured? Was anyone stuck?
Policemen and firemen also pulled up.
They soon found the leader, Miss Tillie the pup.

“Come on, girl,” they said. “It’s time to wind down.
Walk back to your house, down Main Street, through town.
You’ve had your fun now, but you really must go.
Start walking, pup, with your big buddy, Mo.”

As they trotted on home Tillie glanced to her side.
“That Diner smells good, Mo. Let’s see what’s inside.”
But Mo wouldn’t let her. “No, Tillie, no way.
You’ve caused enough trouble for one dog, today.”

Still, Tillie was happy. “Mo, wasn’t it fun?
Racing through town, we were dogs on the run!
We had a great picnic. We made some new friends.
What a day to remember! How nicely it ends.”

At home on the rug, too full to eat dinner,
Lay Mo next to Tillie, who thinks she’s a winner.
Tired and content, was it just a good dream?
No, Camera Dan caught it. Watch channel thirteen.

©2012, Marcia Mattingly Reller