When I Was Young

When I was young
Til I grew old
I got my joy
From dogs afield

Dogs seeking birds
To point with style
As behind them I walked or rode
Walked to shoot or rode field trials

Yes I got much joy
From these pursuits
From age sixteen to eighty-four
My joy now is just as strong 

From remembering
Those days afield
Behind bird dogs
With friends who felt the same as I

With those of us
Who caught the bug
And loved bird dogs
From childhood on 

Loved them for their loyalty
Their spirit their dedication
For doing joyfully what they
Were bred and born to do