  Once there was a little pup who lived in far-off Kent, Where he was born some years ago in kennels of Lord Dent; His mother was of purest blood and likewise was his pa, So he arrived upon this earth without a single flaw. His tail was just the proper size and so was each small ear, His shapely legs and nose and paws, they pleased his mother dear; And with her soft and scarlet tongue she kissed her baby pup, And loved him, oh, so dearly that she almost ate him up. The keeper of the kennels when he saw this terrier pup, Declared, "It's just a beauty and will surely win 'THE CUP,' For being a fox terrier of very purest breed, "And tell him of this puppy who will bring our kennels fame, And ask him what he thinks will be a truly proper name For the most perfect terrier that ever came to Kent; It seems to me he should be called for my great master 'Dent.'" The master when he heard the news that a new pup had come, Left off his game of playing cards and drinking pints of rum, And hastened to the kennels to behold the wondrous pup, Who at the coming dog show was to win the great prize cup. The mother dog she wagged her tail, with pride she was puffed up, As her great master stood right near and smiled upon her pup, While saying, "Higgens, listen well to what I have to say, "I'll name him for my ancestor, the great and famous Kent, And in that name to the dog show next year he shall be sent, Where I am sure he'll win the prize above all others there, For he is perfect in his shape and has fine silky hair." So little Kent was tended well and petted every day, He never had to seek for bones and only had to play, And having nothing else to do on mischief he was bent, Was this aristocratic pup, owned by the great Lord Dent. And when a year had passed around, one day the master came To take him to the London show, where he would win great fame; But Kent was very naughty, as he did not wish to go Away from his good kennel home to any prize dog show. At last his master whipped Pup Kent and, oh, but he did swear, And putting on a collar with a chain of golden beads; Such ornaments Kent could not see that any puppy needs. At last the royal pup was dressed in pupdom regal style, And drove in a fine carriage, oh, for many a weary mile, Until he came to London town, where nothing he could see, Because all things were hidden with a fog as thick as could be. Before he'd even time to think, this 'ristocratic pup, He found himself in a small cage with all the doors shut up, And many men were standing round and gazing long at him, While passing comments on his shape of head, and tail, and limb. Kent glared at them in silence and he would not wag his tail, In fact, just like a good young boy who might be put in jail When he had never done a thing to break the country's law, And when the judges thought that he should have the ribbon blue Because of his most perfect blood shown by the records true, He snapped and barked and even bit at those who came quite near To tie the lovely ribbon on the neck of "PUPPY DEAR." So they decided that despite his wondrous pedigree There yet was something in his blood that ought not there to be, And gave the prize, a silver cup, to a more common dog, Who lay so still and quiet that he might have been a log. But when that evening our Lord Dent beheld with great surprise That a less blooded terrier had won the noble prize, He felt so very angry that he wished to beat Pup Kent, But while poor Kent was going home so sad and in disgrace, He got away from Higgens and he found another place Far, far away from kennels of the great and wealthy Dent, Near to a peaceful village, the runaway he went. Here he lay down so tired and thought of many a bone, Which now was being gnawed each day by his good ma alone, Since Kent, her darling puppy boy, was, oh, so far away, Oh, how he wished to gnaw a bone with his good ma this day! But as he lay a-dreaming of lovely things to eat, Quite suddenly a large gray rat ran right across his feet, And after it there followed an Irishman named Pat, Who sought to make a timely end of bad old Mister Rat. Big Pat was armed with a huge club and called to his old dog, Then Kent he jumped and in one bound he seized poor Mister Rat, Shook him about till he was dead and then brought him to Pat. Big Pat he gazed in wonder at the clever little dog, And sitting down upon a large and green, moss covered log, Said, "Shure, ye bate this lazy hound that kennot catch a rat, And if ye'll stay right here, me boy, I'll trate ye well," says Pat. Then proudly Kent he wagged his tail and tried so hard to smile Upon the good old Irishman, who patted him a while, Then coaxed the stranger after him right through a broad green lane, Which led to the fine country home of good Sir Michael Kane. And here Pat introduced the pup to all the family, They patted his soft silky hair and praised him to the sky, And gave him a big gravy dish all filled with nice meat pie, And likewise a huge saucer, which was full of real sweet cream, Which made the hungry doggie think that he was in a dream. So here Dog Kent decided was the best place for to dwell, And here he still is living and is feeling' very well. He goes each morning to the barn and helps his good friend Pat To catch the naughty rodents, who are called the name of RAT. The cook she feeds him daily, and he captures all the mice, Which love to haunt the kitchen of the cleanly Bridget Bryce. While little Mikey loves dear Kent far more than all his toys, Because he never minds a bit to jump right in the pond And bring to land a stick or stone or weeping willow wand. |
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