Doggone!

Doggone!

I had myself an old dog, Max. He would chase anything.
He learned to chase a stick I threw but never learned to bring.
He’d gladly chase a rubber ball but never bring it back.
I’d chase after him all day; he’d never cut me slack.

I swear that dog would laugh at me as I chased him around.
He’d come and drool upon my face as I lay on the ground
out of breath and out of sorts. He’d really get me mad.
I vowed I would get him one day. I wanted that so bad.

My chance came at last in the fall. We were down by the lake.
I had his favorite toy - a duck – though I thought it looked fake.
Sitting by the shoreline, I spied a real duck swimming there
but Max was focused on his toy so he was unaware.

My plan was simply devilish. I’d pretend to throw the toy.
He’d jump in the water and the duck would get annoyed.
The duck would then just fly away but Max might get a bite
on his nose or floppy ears. That would serve him right.

I made a big pretense of it and had old Max right tricked
as he leapt in the water but what I failed to predict
was that the duck was stupid – he wouldn’t fly away.
He took off swimming with old Max nipping at his spray.

The last time i saw Max, he was heading across the lake
until I couldn’t see him; I could only see his wake.
I posted a few “Missing” signs that I made on my printer,
but I believe the duck and Max are heading south for winter.

An entry for the April round of "The PET NEWS CONTEST" 
Prompt: Open Prompt.
Line limit: 40
Line count: 24