In puppy days,
she played hard-to-get
aloof
sometimes vicious
a flight risk
Did that kindle my desire to win her affection?
Where are your magic buttons?
What will make you love me?
Is time the only thing for it?
Coming up on four trips around the sun,
still a work in progress
yet
kibbles of affection
continue to stack
A whimper at the water bowl
I’m at the faucet
3 a.m. barkhowlbarkbarkbark
I slip on shoes
Out we go
Digested grass refuses full exit?
I do what’s unthinkable
In front of the neighbors!
Love is messy
and kind
and built
on trust.
While she seduces the best from me
I return the favor
Coaxing the best from her
Force is all conquering, but its victories are short lived.
~ Abraham Lincoln
Most days I think Henrietta’s face is the part you’d prefer looking at. But our dogs, despite being wonderful companions, are also our responsibilities. Our dog, Izzie, has something that makes her lick her hind foot paw pads. Fervently. So far neither a pill nor medicated pads have brought relief. Once the pad meds have been applied deep between her pads, she resumes her licking...
Such are responsibilities. And the realization of the bonds that join us with our canine buddies.
A microcosm of our connections with many varieties of sentient beings.
May they be felt, and relished, today in our comings and goings.
Love sent to the pup and the her fur-mom. Who would have thought that we need our furry friends as much as they need us.