Katie answers “What does the title mean?”

Linda asked this question about Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood:

What does the title mean?

Katie Leonetti Found this was from a poem as copied below by A.P. Herbert.
Not sure that answers the question as to the full meaning behind it.
Maybe that the adults …moreFound this was from a poem as copied below by A.P. Herbert.
Not sure that answers the question as to the full meaning behind it.
Maybe that the adults in the books are hard drinkers and like to have a party.

DON'T LET'S GO TO THE DOGS TO-NIGHT
by A.P.Herbert

"Come," said he--"a night for dancing,
Lips alight and bright eyes glancing.
Come!" the young man cried;
"Youth should never pause from pleasure,
Fill the cup and trip the measure!"
But the girl replied--

Don't let's go to the dogs to-night,
For mother will be there.
Auntie chooses all the tunes,
Uncle bags the best balloons,
And all the roundest men in town
Are dancing mother's figure down;
Puffing, panting,
Barging, banting,
Bless their snowy hair!
Night-clubs now are simply spas
For our young Methuselahs,
So don't let's go to the dogs to-night
In case my granny's there.

"When I see my oldest aunties
Kicking heels and singing chanties
Then I have to stop;
All the uncles dance like ladders,
All the aunts are built like bladders
Just about to pop.

"Don't let's go to the dogs to-night,
For mother will be there.
When I see the ball-room bulging
With my ancestors indulging
Then I've done with Mirth and Mammon.
Let's go home and play backgammon.
Pushing, shoving,
Lurching, loving,
Bless their silvery hair!
Let the old ones have their fun;
Some day we'll be sixty-one.
But don't let's go to the dogs to-night,
In case my granny's there."(less)

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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

by Alexandra Fuller

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