Mother Doesnt Want a Dog

　　 by Judith Viorst

　　 Mother doesn't want a dog.

　　 Mother says they smell，

　　 And never sit when you say sit，

　　 Or even when you yell.

　　 And when you come home late at night

　　 And there is ice and snow，

　　 You have to go back out because

　　 The dumb dog has to go.

　　 Mother doesn't want a dog.

　　 Mother says they shed，

　　 And always let the strangers in

　　 And bark at friends instead，

　　 And do disgraceful things on rugs，

　　 And track mud on the floor，

　　 And flop upon your bed at night

　　 And snore their doggy snore.

　　 Mother doesn't want a dog.

　　 She's making a mistake.

　　 Because， more than a dog， I think

　　 She will not want this snake