Little Dog Blues
To the tune of, and plagiarized from, Jimmy Rogers’ “Texas Blues” (which may be from an earlier Blues song?) Helps if you can yodel, or howl and yodel simultaneously, and get your dog to howl on cue. Only the last 2 lines of the chorus are from the "Texas Blues" melody; make up your own. Note the 3 different choruses. That’s too awkward for sing-alongs, in which case the 2nd shown here is best. Doc Watson also recorded this.

Jimmy Rogers' Texas Blues
-----------------

Now, the way I’ve been treated, I almost wish I was dead. (not really)
The way I’ve been treated, I almost wish I was dead, (poetic license)
I ain't got no place to lay my weary head. [original verse.]

Now I got my troubles. I see that you got your troubles, too.
We all got our troubles; I see that you got your troubles, too,
And you ain't got nobody to tell your troubles to.   [And you know how it feels to be so doggone blue. -- original verse.]

chorus 1:
It’s cold and lonely living out on the street. Stranger, can you spare a little somethin’ to eat?
I’m kinda lonely; are you kind and lonely too?
Are you somebody with the lonesome little dog blues?

Sometimes I drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log, 2x
And since I can’t be your good [gal/man], I sure would like to be your dog.

I’ll be your best friend as long as you're treatin' me right;
Come runnin’ when you call, and I’ll keep you warm at night;
We can play, you can pet me, and I’ll love it when you hold me tight.  [lewd guitar riff]

chorus 2 [preferred]:
No job, no money, no clothes, no shoes, no home, no Honey, I got nuthin’ to lose;
I’m looking for somebody, and I wonder if it just might be you?
I’m lookin’ for somebody with the lonesome little dog blues.

My legs are short, and I ain’t got no tail at all, (they took it away when I was a puppy)
My legs are short, and I ain’t got no tail at all,
But I can bring you more love than any long freight train can haul.   [this is my favorite verse.]

Y’know, I’m not singin’ Blues, I’m just tellin’ you the hard luck I’ve had, 2x
And the Blues ain’t nuthin’ but a good dog feelin’ sad. [nearly original verse.]

chorus 3:
I got no steady meals, I got no roof above; but all I really want is somebody to love.
I’m looking for somebody, and I wonder if it just might be you?
I’m lookin’ for somebody with the lonesome little dog blues.

Now, some like Chicago, some like Memphis Tennessee, [original]
Chehalis, Copalis, Walla Walla or Vancouver, B.C., [improvise]
I like it here in [Seattle] where the people are so good to me. [original is "Give me sweet Dallas Texas, where the women are so good to me."]

So when you’re feelin’ so downhearted that you almost wish you was dead, (don’t even think about it)
When you’re feelin’ so unhappy, you almost could wish you was dead, (be patient)
You just get yourself a dog; you’ll be [happier/happy you’re] alive instead.
Get a dog, get a friend, and be happy you’re alive instead.
---------------------

© El Cheapo Productions John Wolff, Gwynnie, and Allegro 6/27/2008. Apologies to Jimmy Rogers.

This isn't my YouTube post, but I actually got this Lightning Hopkins record at a neighborhood yard sale:
Lightning Hopkins "Dirty Dog Blues" (a different song)
and play this for your dogs when the neighbors aren't around:
"Cryin' Dog Blues"

I drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log...

Here's a new one 12/16/12, when Anne brought Abbey home:

John Prine, "Dear Abbey"

Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, please answer my mail,

My legs are too short and I don't have a tail,

My ears are too big, I'm just 8 inches tall,

The world looks so big, and I'm feeling so small.

(signed)  New Puppy

New Puppy, New Puppy, you have no complaint,

You are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't,

So listen up, Buster, and listen up good,

Start wishing for dog food and knockin' on wood,

(signed)   Dear Abbey.

Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, Now what do you think?

Whenever I poop, they all raise a big stink.

They seem so unhappy whenever I pee,

Is it something with them, or something with me?

(signed) New Puppy

New Puppy, New Puppy, you have no complaint,

You are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't.

You won't be the best, and you won't be the worst,

Whenever you go, you should go outside first.

(signed)  Dear Abbey

Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, please hear my concerns,

They won't let me dig holes or roll in dead worms.

I can't bark or bite, or chew on their shoes,

There's so many new rules, and I'm feeling confused.

(signed)  New Puppy

New Puppy, New Puppy, you have no complaint,

You are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't.

Learn all the new rules, and learn 'em up good,

Train them to love you.  Keep knockin' on wood.

(signed)   Dear Abbey

Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, I'm writing to say,

I'm all grown up now and I'm happy today.

My new home is almost too good to be true.

I've taught them to love me, and I love them too.

(signed)  New Puppy

New puppy, new puppy, you're on the right track.

When you love somebody, they love you right back.

Remember wherever you wander or roam,

There's nuthin' like family, there's no place like home.

(signed)  Dear Abbey