Pets

Creative, Heartwarming Pet Poems By Kids

Posted: 9/7/2010

Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students were invited to submit a poem about their pets and why they love them.

(NAPSI)-When it comes to describing the rewarding relationship between pets and their owners, sometimes a poem just says it best.

Recently, six poems summed up that sentiment so well that they won the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) 2nd Annual National Children's Pet Poetry Contest. Through the APPA's Pets Add Life (PAL) campaign, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students were invited to write and submit a unique and creative poem about their pets.

Two students from each grade were selected to win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a "byline" in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students' classrooms each received a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet-related education.

Poems were judged on creativity, clarity, voice and the student's ability to reinforce the message of the joys and benefits of pet ownership. The panel of judges consisted of teachers, elementary school administration and APPA.

Here is one of the winning poems, in the fifth-grade category:

"My Dog, Bear" by Spring from Lincoln, Del.

When I think of you,

My heart shines bright,

Just like a

Baby bird's first flight.

First thing in the morning

Your nose I see,

An inch from my nose

Tickles me.

When you know I'm leaving,

Your head hangs low.

It breaks my heart,

'Cause I love you so.

And even though I'm angry,

When you chew my shoe,

Your sorrowful eyes

Make me forgive you.

When my sister died,

You comforted me.

You miss her too--

It's plain to see.

When I'm lonely,

Or I need a friend,

You're always there,

Your love to lend.

I love you Bear,

My adorable dog.

You've helped me

Through my own fog.

No other dog

Compares to you.

Taking care of me,

You'll always do.

To see other poems and for more information about APPA's 3rd Annual National Children's Pet Poetry Contest, you can visit www.petsaddlife.org.