“The Dog's Convention”
Description
At a convention of dogs from far and near, the animals' anuses are mixed up, and the canines go home with orifices not their own. This explains why dogs will drop a bone to smell the anus of a passing dog; they are looking for their own.
Notes
Australian folklore attributes this to Henry Lawson. Its early currency in the U.S. makes this perhaps doubtful. - RBW
References
- Randolph-Legman I, pp. 490-491, "The Dog's Convention" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Meredith/Anderson, pp. 160-161, "The Dogs' Meeting" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, DOGMEETG*
- Roud #5474
- BI, RL491