I want my children to have a dog
Or may be two or three
They'll learn from them more easily
Than they will learn from me.

A dog will teach them how to love,
And have no grudge or hate
I'm not so good at that myself
But a dog will do it straight

I want my children to have a dog,
To be their pal and friend
So they may learn that friendship
Is faithful to the end.

There never yet has been a dog
That learned to double cross
Nor catered to you when you won
Then dropped you when you lost.

- Martin Hale (I am not 100% sure about the poet.)