Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House Quotes
Shmoop will make you a better lover...of quotes
ALL QUOTES POPULAR BROWSE BY AUTHOR BROWSE BY SOURCE BROWSE BY TOPIC BROWSE BY SUBJECTSource: Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House
Author: Billy Collins
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
Context
This line is from the poem "Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House" by Billy Collins (1988).
Don't you hate it when—BARK BARK BARK. We were trying to say—BARK BARK BARK BARK. Why is that dog—BARK BARK. If that dog doesn't shut up we're going to lose it.
It's not something we're proud of, but we've all been there, trying to enjoy a quiet evening reading or watching The Voice, when the neighbor's dog keeps barking at absolutely nothing. Maybe someone is breaking into your neighbor's place, and hopefully they'll take the dog while they're looting the joint.
In Billy Collins' poem, he explores his frustration at his neighbor's loud dog, and is glad he isn't tempted to blow the thing away, because he doesn't even own a gun.
Where you've heard it
You've never heard this, because you can't hear anything over the noise of your dumb neighbor's dumb dog's dumb barking.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
That dog is pretentious, thinking anyone cares what it has to say.