Insightful ands Captivating Poetry For Our Best Friends
Poems on Pets
What better way to express your fondness for your four-legged friends than through poetry? Poems on pets have been around for centuries, and they continue to captivate the hearts of animal lovers worldwide.
Some poems celebrate the joy and companionship that pets bring to our lives, while others explore the depths of grief and loss that come with their inevitable departure.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at poems on pets and the powerful emotions they evoke.
Capturing Our Pets’ Unique Selves
The beauty of pet poems lies in their ability to capture the unique personalities and quirks of our beloved animals. Like fingerprints, our pets’ traits are distinct and irreplaceable.
“The Cat That Walked By Himself“
Take, for example, Rudyard Kipling’s Classic Poem
“The Cat That Walked by Himself.” In this charming fable, the cat is portrayed as a proud and independent creature, who chooses to live with humans out of her own accord.
Kipling masterfully exalts the cat’s aloofness and cunning, making readers fall in love with her clever ways.
“Cat’s Dream”
Pablo Neruda’s “Cat’s Dream” is a beautiful poem that celebrates the mysterious and independent nature of cats.
The poem reads, “How neatly a cat sleeps/sleeps with its paws and its posture/sleeps with its wicked claws/and with its unfeeling blood/sleeps with all the rings…”
“The Dog”
“The Dog” by Ogden Nash
is a playful and humorous poem that highlights the lovable and friendly nature of dogs:
“The truth I do not stretch or shove
When I state that the dog is full of love.
I’ve also found, by actual test,
A wet dog is the lovingest.”
Poems That Are Eulogies for Our Pets 
Often, pet poems are written as tributes to animals who have passed away. Such elegies are heart-wrenching but cathartic pieces that provide solace to pet owners who have grappled with grief.
“Her Grave”
One such poem is Mary Oliver’s Her Grave
which pays homage to the poet’s dog, Percy. In it, Oliver laments the loss of her loyal companion and reminisces about the blissful moments they shared.
Funny Pet Poems
Pet poems can also be humorous and light-hearted, capturing the exhilaration and amusement one feels around their pets.
“Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep a Gun in the House”
One such poem is Billy Collins’s “Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep a Gun in the House.” In this witty piece, Collins satirizes the hyperbole and absurdity surrounding the notion of “protection” by demonstrating how a neighbor’s household pet can suffice instead (and pokes fun at his own irritation).
The poem is amusing and relatable to pet owners who know too well the joys and headaches of having animals around.
“My Cat Jeoffry”
This poem by Christopher Smart describes the mischievous and playful antics of his cat.
The poem reads, “For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry. / For he rolls upon prank to work it in. / For this he performs in ten degrees. / For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.”
We love our furry friends!
Poems can evoke a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and leave an indelible mark on the reader’s heart.
Whether it’s through clever wordplay, heartfelt elegies, or poignant calls to action, poems on pets will continue to be a beloved genre for animal lovers everywhere.
