{"id":49175,"date":"2025-10-11T12:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T16:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=49175"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:58:23","slug":"doggy-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/doggy-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"Doggy Pillow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dotting My Teas By: Marlene Oxender <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few months ago, I began writing a poem about children and their love for animals. I worked at a leisurely pace, adding to the poem when I thought of an animal that children are often intrigued by. After I finished it, I noticed I\u2019d written questions in the poem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So now I have plans to ask the children in my life for their answers, and I imagine the conversations will be fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When our daughter Teri was a baby, her favorite animal was a green doggy pillow that\u2019d been stitched together by my husband\u2019s Aunt Doris.  We still have the baby card that Aunt Doris and Uncle Ted had given to us at the time of her birth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Aunt Doris learned of Teri\u2019s attachment to her pillow, she made a second one, knowing it\u2019d be wise to have a back-up. We named him Red Doggy Pillow, and his presence came in handy a time or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aunt Doris was born in 1909, and like most ladies of her generation, she could sew. I remember the hand-stitched felt ornaments she\u2019d made for her family. The French knots, satin stitches, beads, and embellishments are testimony to her creative eye. Her ornaments are still adorning holiday trees \u2013 half a century later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doggy Pillow was a gift to Teri way back when we were simply living in the moment. When our aunt and uncle visited and held the newborn baby. When there were smiles and hugs and talk of fun times ahead.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doggy Pillow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d cut,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d sewn,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d stitched<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d signed her name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A baby gift complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His face made of embroidery floss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His ears so long and floppy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wrapped him in a box<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and placed a bow on top,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We thanked her a bunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for thinking of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She really is a great Aunt Doris!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Doggy Pillow <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were made for each other<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re my best friend forever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I go to sleep each night with<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doggy Pillow beneath my cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I need not book a ticket<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for places I\u2019d like to visit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My itinerary is a simple one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m told to go have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What animal do I love the most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s the monkey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

who swings from tree to tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which one runs the fastest<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and which one jumps the highest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which one makes me laugh the most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s the goat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever heard it bleat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a funny way to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really love the ostrich<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and baby kangaroos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, what\u2019s a kid to do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rainforest is a place<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I plan to visit soon;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll pick a blossom or two \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

one for me and one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterflies and dragonflies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

so pretty as they flutter by;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll count how many species<\/p>\n\n\n\n

were designed with wings to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jungle is a noisy place<\/p>\n\n\n\n

where birdies sing so sweet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toucans with their yellow beaks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wonder if they\u2019ve ever played<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a serious game of hide-and-seek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macaws so pretty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cockatoos and parakeets \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

intriguing beyond belief!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, birdies of the jungle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t thank you enough<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for speaking up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll visit as often as can be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you suppose there\u2019s any jealousy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

amongst the creatures that I see?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alligator is a ferocious guy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crocodile so scary;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love to see their great big teeth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as long as they\u2019re not close to me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the mother skunk,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

her babies tagging close behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a snapping turtle \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know what snapping means. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d like to interview a porcupine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does he know what hugs feel like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve visited construction zones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

where beavers work at night;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funny how they make their plans<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and always get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where\u2019s this place called Madagascar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For I think I need to visit there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what about Zimbabwe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did I spell it right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Doggy Pillow \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re teaching me so much<\/p>\n\n\n\n

as you help me grow up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll always stay in touch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

with things that crawl and jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll watch them run<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll watch them soar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll listen to them roar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Doggy Pillow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t thank you enough<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for stepping up;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world is so beautiful<\/p>\n\n\n\n

through your<\/p>\n\n\n\n

embroidered eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve many tales to tell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and stories we should write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Doggy Pillow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m thankful for the love<\/p>\n\n\n\n

you hold in every stitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll always and forever be<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the Doggy Pillow of my dreams!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marlene Oxender is a writer, speaker, and author. She writes about growing up in the small town of Edgerton, her ten siblings, the memorabilia in her parents\u2019 estate, and her late younger brother, Stevie Kimpel, who was born with Down syndrome. Her three published books, Picket Fences, Stevie and Grandma, You Already Am Old, are available on Amazon. Marlene can be reached at mpoxender@gmail.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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